Central Illinois Auto Show

Status: discontinued

The Central Illinois Auto Show has been discontinued. In a press release dated 16 August 2023, the Peoria Metro New Car Dealers Association explained that "rising event costs, changing manufacturer support, and the chip shortage" had created "an unfortunate funding situation", and that at its membership board meeting on 15 August 2023 the association decided "due to lack of funds and absence of manufacturer participation to discontinue future Auto Shows".

The statement adds that the association "will not be hosting the Central Illinois Auto Show in March of 2024 or in 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center", while leaving a door open: it will "revisit an Auto Show event with the Dealers and Manufacturers sometime down the road", and "the Central Illinois Auto Show may return at some time in the future".

History

The show ran for 31 years as one of downstate Illinois' largest auto shows, held each March at the Peoria Civic Center, and the association thanked the Central Illinois attendees who supported it year after year. The 2023 association president was Jim Scherer (Scherer Mazda & Scherer Volvo Cars).

Note

This record previously described the show as an active trade exhibition; the organiser's own website now carries only this discontinuation notice, and no 2024 or later edition was held.