Denver Auto Show Preview Celebration Returns With Gusto
Hey, isn’t the Denver Auto Show always held in April? In 2021, everything changed. This year’s auto show (aka “Denver’s largest new-car showroom”) opened Sept. 15 at its new outdoor digs at Elitch Gardens. And the 12th annual preview celebration? Upgraded to gala status with its inaugural Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame dinner. CADA (Colorado Automobile Dealers Association) members are definitely driven.
On Sept. 14, CADA opened its event tent to 700 industry professionals, revved and ready to honor its own, preview the 2021 Denver Auto Show, catch up with colleagues and maybe even (why not?) check out the competition. Epicurean Catering staff roamed the reception with passed hors d’oeuvres, then set tables for the plated dinner that followed.
The Maul family, ready for their closeup
Guests were able to peruse the photos and bios of the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame inductees on display outside the tent, as well as pose for photos at the step-and-repeat area.
Ed Greene and Claudia Garofalo, of 9News, presided over the dinner program that honored all 50 Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame inductees, with newest additions Fletcher Flower, 2020, and Christina Dawkins, 2021. The recognition of all the honorees highlighted the first-ever HOF celebration dinner, created to showcase the inductees’ automotive vision, innovation and community service. CADA President/CEO Tim Jackson and David Spencer, of presenting sponsor Ally Bank, spoke briefly; and CADA Board Chair Steve Zeder and 2021 Hall of Fame Chair Anthony Brownlee were on stage to assist with the awards presentations. After dinner, guests made the very-short walk to the preview party and the opportunity to check out those gorgeous Auto Show vehicles.
HOF awardee Bob Markley greets a friend at the display.
Since 1902, the Denver Auto Show has always been a must-attend event. This year from Sept. 15-19, 500 of the latest car, truck and SUV vehicle rides are displayed alongside Elitch’s own thrill rides, offering a unique, entertaining atmosphere. In addition to show tickets, weekend-only combo tickets provide access to both the park and the auto show, ensuring some fun-filled experiences for all ages. To learn more, please visit: https://denverautoshow.com/. For information about the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame: https://www.coloautohalloffame.com/. For preview gala information: https://www.previewgala.com/.
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- Reps from presenting sponsor Ally Bank (l to r): Cindy Balint, David Spencer, Chris Kolski and Stephanie Morgan
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- HOF awardee Bob Markley (front), with Dave Markley, Gen Holloway (center) and Diane Markley
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- Ruxandra LeMay (left), Bryton Yalacki and Ashley Yalacki
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- Bonnie and Brian O’Meara
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- Under the Ally logo, reps (l to r): Diana Been, Heather Jones, Royce Southerland and TJ Paulus
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- (l to r): Jennifer Rose, CADA board chair Steve Zeder, Bill and Jeanie Hellman, Jason Matt
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- Jan and HOF awardee Bud Wells
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- (l to r): Tom Lyons, Lynn Fisher, Marylen Lyons, and Courtney and Mark Brady
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- HOF awardee Bob Markley greets a friend at the display.
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- (l to r): Debbie Waines, Lisa Jendreas, Mike and Austin Maul, and Todd Maul
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- From Denver Auto Show presenting sponsor AAA (l to r): John and Emily Reibert, Brian and Ginger McGrial and Gail and Ken Bolser
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- Quiet energetic entertainment (l to r): Melissa, Holly, Diamond and Sommer
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- The Suss family at the reception
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- John and Kathy Schenden
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- The Payne family
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- (l to r); John and Brooklyn Dellenbach, Christina and Reagan Hoeffler, Michelle McCaddon
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- Sponsor manager Sally Croker is ready for anything with cell phone in one hand and an umbrella in the other.
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- From Vision Quest Entertainment: Lisa Downing (left) and Princess Wallace
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- (l to r): Todd and Lisa Maul, and Victoria and Jason Puga
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- Chris Jezzini and Epicurean Catering rep Trevaughn
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- Photo op at the step-and-repeat
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- Reception beverages are served adjacent to Elitch Gardens.
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- (l to r): Brad Emich IV, 2021 Hall of Fame Chair Anthony Brownlee and Jack TerHar
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- Carol and Brad Emich
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- HOF inductees John Medved and Mary Pacifico-Valley, CADA board treasurer
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- Perusing the Hall of Fame display
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- Dawn Johnson (left) and Nikki Scrivner
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- It takes a village of sponsors to produce the Denver Auto Show Preview Gala.
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- Tim Jackson, CADA CEO/President (left), with Melissa Blake and Jason Stein
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- The Maul family, ready for their closeup
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- Emcees Claudia Garofalo and Ed Greene, of 9News
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- Brian and Bonnie O’Meara (left), with Darren Carrter
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- Father-son Brian and Evan O’Meara
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- Greeting friends before dinner
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- The Medved team celebrates.
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- Watching the 9News video presentation about the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame
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- David Spencer, of presenting sponsor Ally Bank
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- Each Hall of Fame awardee was honored on stage.
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- Ladies and gentlemen, pop the hoods for the Auto Show preview.
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- The Denver Auto Show is ready for its preview at Elitch Gardens.
