How a fledgling blog got the opportunity of a lifetime

After a couple down days at home, I’ve found the time to write my piece on the 2012 New York International Auto Show. I’d like to focus on the opportunity that Chris and myself were granted thanks to Car & Driver. In March, I found out that I had won their Backfires sweepstakes to attend the press days at the New York International Auto Show. The prize included press access to the show, a two night hotel stay, and dinner with some of the Car & Driver staff in town to cover the event. Of course at first, I didn’t believe it. But then the days came closer and eventually I found myself amidst journalists, photographers and even CEOs on Wednesday at the Javits Center. It hit home pretty quickly when I received my press credentials and grabbed a seat to watch the reveal of the 2013 SRT Viper in the 4th row.

The first press day went by in the blink of an eye, and we found ourselves immersed in press kits and information that we wanted to share with you, the readers, as quickly as we could. So that evening we returned to our hotel and wrote up the SRT Viper reveal story from our perspective.

Being complete amateurs on our first press day, we found ourselves a little better off on day 2. Part of winning the Car & Driver Backfires sweepstakes was a tour of the show floor with Car & Driver editor, Justin Berkowitz. The industry insight and unique point of view that Justin was able to share with us is something that neither Chris or myself will ever forget.

Having attended the show in previous years as public viewers, it was an unbelievable experience to witness the industry in a completely different light. Now that we have a taste of it, we certainly plan on being in attendance at more press days in the future, and maybe even another chat with Justin if we’re lucky.

-Scott Villeneuve

(Special thanks to Jen Morgan, Car & Driver Community Engagement Manager, for being such a great host)