Starting later this year, the Giant Retromobile show in Paris will have a new version in the USA. Looking forward to seeing this one!! Rétromobile Is Coming to America! The French automobilia collector’s dream will arrive next year. Ken Goldman
The body of the OP came from here: https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/a62507100/retromobile-coming-to-america/ Per the article, location and time of year TBD.
... still waiting for some sort of substantive details. I remember seeing that headline when it first came out, but since it didn't include any details, I'd sort of just forgot about it. I like the concept / format of Retromobile being in Paris, i.e. an "urban" experience in a large, cosmopolitan city and I'm trying to think of the right corollary in the US... NYC would be an obvious choice, but I think that I like the idea of Chicago more. Thoughts?
I will ask the organisers in the press office in Paris next week during Retromobile. It could be that a press conference about the USA version is planned...or that they have decided to cancel the idea. Where to hold it a big decision, wich could by itself spell success or failure. I would say NYC.
I contacted their US affiliate - DuPont offices months ago when first announced. Was considering being a vendor. Sent email request for updates & further info as well as 3-4 phone calls which as of yet have never been responded to. All calls go to a personal voicemail of some fellow at DuPont. So they planned to have this event in the US this year, but with no indication of any dates or any location.... Surprisingly unprofessional to put it very politely.
I'm always astounded at how hard it can be to give some people and/or entities your money. Beyond my comprehension.
Reminds me of Grand Basel, the Art Basel for cars which happened only once: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/grand-basel-art-basel-collectible-cars It was spectacular and the ambitious was to export Grand Basel in Miami in February 2019, and in Hong Kong in May 2019. The fact it did not happen again confirmed the motto "who needs another car show", even though the US don't have anything similar. I love Retromobile & am not sure this initiative makes sense, esp. if the US partner doesn't even answer to potential exhibitors.
Marshall, Your enthusiasm is great to see but you are jumping the gun by years, you want a ticket on a train, great, but wait until they build the train and the station;-) FYI I am NOT involved, I just know this is going to be a major undertaking...if it happens. Let's be positive and see what happens. I will ask the question in the press office at Retromobile Wednesday morning and relay the answer here.
Mark, I would love to see a version of Retromobile in the US, but am not very confident it will happen or be done well based on what I have seen so far. They originally announced this event (their press release) far less than a year in advance (October 3, 2024), and only that it would take place in the US in 2025 (somewhere & sometime), so NO... I am not "jumping the gun by years." We will have to agree to disagree. Did they made a mistake with the year?? If yes, then that would explain the lack of some information. If they meant something else regarding the year 2025, then perhaps their announcement was poorly written. My remarks simply pertain to very basic business, and apply to promoting and planning any event. If any entity is going to announce an event to take place within months of their announcement... then they should at the very least have dates and a location set/locked it. And then there is the poor/lack of communication on duPont's part....
Next tuesday evening, 4/2/25, is press day at Retromobile. Let's see what is what, an announcement or nothing. I am otherwise engaged in Paris that day but will pick up my press pass Wednesday morning and demand to know, bang on the desk. Request to see whomever is in charge. Will relay here. Fyi I have organised international events, though much smaller than this. People have little idea of how much work, planning, minutiae, marketing, preparation goes into something like this. Similar to people in the book section moaning, with entitled spoilt attitudes about books being delayed, from their couch...when they have no idea how much work, how many obstacles are involved.
I was just at Cavallino. I know a vendor from France that exhibits at Retromobile & other shows. I was told that there will be a formal announcement at Retromobile next week. They sounded very confident. I hope this is true Ken Goldman
Mark, I look forward to any news you can provide us with, and appreciate your time and attention with this. I have also been involved in coordinating and organizing events, etc. And in my previous career, I used to coordinate (AP and other positions) TV shows & specials, many were broadcast live nationally... just as involved, and in some ways much more so. I do understand this well. I empathize with what it takes to produce & publish a book.... You put in a huge amount of time, effort, and more to do that.
A US Retromobile would be just a dilution of a good thing. The ever-expanding number of events is just watering everything down, exacerbated further by offensively excessive attendance cost, to the point that events lose their appeal to me. And I don't care what city in the US you choose, it's not Paris. Leave it alone.
I agree. Also I think certain incoming tariffs might make a few vendors reconsider participating unless they have some sort of special import exemptions. Doesn't seem likely.
