The ACM Experience
March 30 – April 1, 2012
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
The 47th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS honored the top country artists as well as up and coming musicians this past weekend, broadcasting LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday night. The festivities, however, extended the entire weekend as the Academy of Country Music hosted the first ever ACM EXPERIENCE. “Las Vegas is already a destination for so many country music fans and The ACM Experience is a natural extension of the Academy’s focus on bringing them the best in free, family-friendly events that promote the genre and provide additional exposure for both established acts and new artists,” said, Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music.
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
The country lifestyle event was open Friday 10-6pm, Saturday 10-9pm and Sunday 10-4pm at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. In addition to live country music artists and world class BBQ vendors, the ACM Expo was held inside the Mandalay Convention Center where unique vendors displayed customized jewelry, western wear and furniture items for sale. The ACM BBQ Throwdown roped in the competitive BBQ circuit, offering a $50,000 prize and the Ram Ride and Drive outdoor test track put country fans in the seats of the new 2012 Ram 1500 trucks.
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
The Gordinier Group professional drivers donned their country garb and joined in the fair, demonstrating to event guests the best-in-class performance and capabilities of the 2012 Ram 1500 Express, Sport, Outdoorsman, Lone Star Big Horn® and Laramie®. The closed course included obstacles exhibiting the vehicles’ ground clearance, articulation, body strength, suspension and traction. Country music legends Zac Brown, Craig Morgan, Easton Corbin and James Wesley were some of the most enthusiastic participants.
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
“Ram Truck fans and country music fans are one and the same as they are cut from the same cloth of authenticity with a genuine work-hard, play-hard attitude,” said Fred Diaz, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are excited to be a part of this first-ever fan experience event at the ACM Awards and to give our mutual fans the opportunity to ride, drive and experience the most innovative lineup of full-size trucks on the market.”
Check out the Academy’s event coverage HERE.
The Country Vibe provides the whole line up on their blog post HERE.
KTNV Channel 13 covers the ACM Experience with live footageHERE.
2012 Denver Auto Show
March 21-25, 2012
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Camp Jeep returned to the Denver Auto Show with great reception from one of its natural habitats in Jeep country this past weekend. New and returning auto show guests jumped in with the Gordinier Group product specialists and trained professional drivers as they traversed the 22,000 square feet of indoor off-roading terrain in the 2012 Jeep lineup.
Suspension, stability, articulation and traction obstacles astounded passengers in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Grand Cherokee Overland. “I just came on this ride for my kids, but now seeing firsthand what these Jeeps are capable of, I am going to have to seriously consider purchasing one in the future.”
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
See PR Newswire’s Camp Jeep coverage HERE.
Denver’s local news source, the Examiner, highlighted Camp Jeep Denver in their auto show report.
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Rodeo Austin Star of Texas Fair
March 9 – 24, 2012
Photo by Brian Bostwick
Rodeo Austin wrapped up its 75th Anniversary on Saturday, a milestone for what has become one of Austin’s premier events, spotlighting ProRodeo events, daily concerts and a livestock showcase. The Gordinier Group was back for the Ram Test Drive’s third year in a row. This year brought exciting new obstacles to the closed course.
Photo by Brian Bostwick
Rodeo guests took their pick from Ram lineup including the 1500 Longhorn, 2500 Laramie 6.7, 2500 Lone Star 6.7, 2500 Outdoorsman Hemi, 3500 Chassis Cab and 3500 Longhorn, driving through rolling hills to test the trucks’ traction, 30 degree tilts to display the vehicles’ stability and turning circles to demonstrate the Rams’ excellent turning radius. Here’s what several consumers had to say about the experience:
“I never thought I could drive a truck, but it turns so easy!”
“It actually rides smoother than I expected for a truck this size!”
Photo by Brian Bostwick
Ram test drivers received a $10 gift card for their participation which they were given the option to donate to the Rodeo Austin scholarship fund. This year, Ram worked with the volunteers at the rodeo and were thrilled to donate over $10,000 to the Rodeo Austin scholarship fund.
Check out all the events at Rodeo Austin HERE.
2012 Kansas City International Auto Show
March 7-11, 2012
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
The Kansas City International Auto Show was host to Camp Jeep for the first time this past weekend. While sports fans were scrutinizing March Madness and the basketball tournaments going on next door, automotive aficionados flocked to Bartle Hall to check out all of this year’s models.
The Gordinier Group professional drivers were pleased to demonstrate the Jeep brand’s entire line up in the 22,000 square foot off-roading exhibit. The response from attendees said it all: “This is brilliant marketing. I had never been in a Jeep before today. I had no idea they were this nice and so capable of all kinds of terrain. We will definitely consider this as our next vehicle.” The entire Chrysler booth was voted Best of Show by the auto show’s association. Camp Jeep won Favorite Exhibit as voted by the consumers.
Camp Jeep is awarded Favorite Exhibit
The Gallatin North Missourian was excited about Camp Jeep’s first time at the Kansas City Auto Show.
The local dealership, Waynesburg Chrylser Dodge Jeep Ram, urged Jeep enthusiasts not to miss Camp Jeep Kansas City.
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
2012 Cleveland Auto Show
February 25-March 4, 2012
Photo by Brian Bostwick
Camp Jeep made its appearance at the Cleveland Auto Show again this year, showcasing the on and off road capabilities of the entire Jeep line up within a 22,000 square foot exhibit. Gordinier Group’s professional drivers demonstrated the suspension, stability, ground clearance, articulation and traction on demanding obstacles that would prove extremely taxing were it not in a Jeep. Jim Morrison, Director of Jeep Brand Marketing, described Camp Jeep Cleveland to the press. “Customers can experience first-hand the all-new Jeep vehicle lineup that has been successfully gaining sales traction in the market.”
As well as Camp Jeep, the Jeep kids course and 25 foot rock climbing wall provided entertainment for all ages. This 10 day show marked the 109th year of the Cleveland Auto Show. Check out some of the media coverage below:
Photo by Brian Bostwick
Photo by Brian Bostwick
View a consumer’s in seat experience HERE.
Cleveland.com highlights Camp Jeep Cleveland.
All the details of Camp Jeep Cleveland were also covered by www.theautochannel.com.
2012 Chicago Auto Show
February 8-19, 2012
Photo by Ryan Quick
The Chicago Auto Show covers more than 1 million square feet of McCormick Place and is open to the public for 10 days, making it the largest automotive exposition on the continent. This year’s show saw a surge in attendance, generating the most successful finish in 4 years.
Chrysler Group attracted the masses with three indoor test tracks this year. Gordinier Group’s staff consisting of trained, professional drivers and product specialists showcased the brands’ capabilities and new product features while simultaneously transporting guests through a number of demanding obstacles. Below is a photo of Jim Morrison, Director of Jeep Brand Product Marketing, addressing the Gordinier crew before the big show.
Photo by Ryan Quick
Camp Jeep made its its eighth consecutive appearance at the Chicago Auto Show, displaying ground clearance, stability, maneuverability, suspension, articulation and traction in the latest Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, Grand Cherokee Overland, Liberty Renegade, Patriot and Compass Jeep brand models. Guests were taken to exhilarating heights of over 18′ and thrilling grades of up to 35 degrees.
Photo by Ryan Quick
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
The RAM Track Experience entailed a virtual construction site, with real life obstructions demonstrating traction, body and frame strength, handling and suspension, ride quality, ground clearance, stability and payload in various models of the RAM 1500.
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Photo by Ryan Quick
The Multi-Brand Track Experience offered more scenic surroundings, exhibiting vehicles such as the Chrysler 200 and 300, the Dodge Charger and Challenger and the Fiat 500 Cabrio and Sport models. Handling, ambient noise, ride comfort, slalom, acceleration and braking challenges attested to the vehicles quality and stamina.
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Photo by Lisa Bartosiewicz
Jeep took home the prize with “Best Exhibit.” “Best of Show voting has become a benchmark measure, and winning in any category is quite meaningful for our manufacturers and exhibitors,” said Steve Foley Jr., chairman of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. “In a year where attendance increased yet again and we boasted four indoor test tracks and five outdoor test drives, consumers had a better chance than ever to weigh the competitors and let their voice be heard.”
There is no doubt Chrysler Group let their voice be heard at this years Chicago Auto Show. Below are a list of links covering the indoor track experiences, but before you take a look, don’t miss this stunning video montage of Camp Jeep, the RAM Track Experience and the Multi-Brand Track Experience.
Take a look at photos and video from Chrysler Group’s blog coverage HERE.
Road and Track’s blog reported on Chrysler’s Test Tracks HERE.
Jim Choate, with Allpar.com, covered each of the Jeep, RAM and Multi-Brand courses in their Chicago Autoshow highlights.
2012 World AG Expo
February 12-14, 2012
Photo by Brian Bostwick
The 45th annual World Ag Expo was held in Tulare, CA this past weekend, boasting 1600 exhibitors and covering 2.5 million square feet of agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley. In the midst of farm equipment, chemicals, communications, and technology exhibits, RAM build an off-roading course allowing attendees to test drive the RAM truck line up. Gordinier Group’s experienced coach riders and product specialists accompanied consumers, answering questions about the brand and providing product information as needed.
Photo by Bob Lowe
Photo by Bob Lowe
2012 Washington DC Auto Show
January 27 – February 5, 2012
Photo by Jason Fosnaught
The sound of screeching tires was the first thing that Washington Auto Show attendees noticed when they entered the lower level of the show this year. Guests soon realized that the noise was coming from the Fiat Experience track, and that those were the sounds of the Fiat 500 being put to the test.
Photo by Jason Fosnaught
Gordinier trained drivers delivered technical product information to consumers while demonstrating the stability, comfort and agility of the Fiat 500 Sport, Lounge and Lounge Cabrio. Check out the media highlights below:
The Washington Post covers the Fiat Experience.
BizBash.com shared their enthusiasm about the Fiat Ride.
Photo by Jason Fosnaught
2012 Winter X Games
January 26-29, 2012
Photo by Ryan Quick
This past weekend was the 16th Annual Winter X Games held in Aspen, CO. More than 200 of the world’s best action sports athletes competed in skiing, snowboarding and snowmobile events at Buttermilk Mountain for the premier Winter X-Games event.
Photo by Ryan Quick
Jeep offered event guests, athletes, and VIPs the opportunity experience the 2012 vehicle lineup while traveling from their hotels to the mountain venue. 10 shuttle vehicles were used, consisting of a mix of Wrangler, Liberty, Compass and Patriot vehicles. Consumer data was collected by Gordinier Group trained off-road drivers, who provided detailed product information during the ride.
Photo by Ryan Quick
2012 St. Louis Auto Show
January 26-29, 2012
Photo by Chris Bochenek
Camp Jeep made its first appearance at the St. Louis Auto Show this past weekend. Covering 25,000 sq. ft., the exhibit gave attendees the chance to see the Jeep brand put to the ultimate off-road test on obstacles such as Ground Clearance, Traction, Stability, Articulation and Suspension. The Gordinier Group crew chauffeured guests through each challenge in the Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited and the Grand Cherokee Overland.
Photo by Chris Bochenek
TheAutoShowChannel.com and SaintLouisAutoShow.com both covered Camp Jeep’s St. Louis Auto Show debut.
Watch the highlights HERE on St. Louis Auto Show’s website.