Every two years, the Indian Automotive community goes all out to bring forth the biggest motor show in the country — the Auto Expo. Over the years, the Auto Expo has garnered quite a reputation for being one of the most anticipated events of the automotive calendar, and while the venue may have moved on from its previous location at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi to the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida, it still can be quite a menace for first-time show-goers. The Auto Expo has attained proper International Motor Show quality and standards, and so in essence, if you manage to survive this one in India, you’ll be pretty much at home anywhere else in the world too. We’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help you make the most of not only the 14th Auto Expo, but also any other big exhibition that you may attend in the future!
1. Choose your time
Most people opt to visit shows on the weekend — that’s a terrible idea! Weekends generally draw the biggest crowds, which means the halls are always packed with people, and you’ll spend most of your time peering through masses of bodies to catch a glimpse of one corner of the vehicles on display, or worse still, just inching your way from one stall to the other. Plan ahead, take a day off from work on a weekday instead, and you’ll get a comparatively emptier venue. The weekday morning hours are reserved for business visitors. Check the motor show website for specifics, so you’re not stuck in a situation where you’re waiting at the gate for hours before you’re let in. Crowds are generally the highest during the afternoon and early evening — the numbers start waning a couple of hours before close of business for the day, so you could use that time to revisit the stalls you want to take a closer look at.
2. Tickets
Book ahead! Almost every motor show worth its salt in the world sells tickets online through a booking platform, or directly on the event’s website — for the Auto Expo, tickets are available on BookMyShow. You don’t want to stand in line and waste time at the venue. If there are any particular events from the manufacturers you want to attend, such as appearances from celebrities and brand ambassadors or on-ground competitions for show-goers, do your research online and book accordingly.
- Wear comfortable shoes. There’s always a huge amount of walking involved between halls.
- Make sure to take small breaks to avoid tiring yourself too much.
- Dress for the weather, but also remember that small spaces could get warm, so layer up.
- Look at and follow the signs. If a display asks you not to touch, do not.
3. Recon
Study the layout of the venue. The event itinerary will have the hall allocations for the participating manufacturers, or you could get that on the event website as well, in most cases. Pick out the ones that you absolutely don’t want to miss visiting, and leave the rest for when you have time to spare. This way, you’ll come back with an experience tailored for yourself, instead of regretting having missed out on things you’d rather have seen. Figure out where the refreshment stalls are as well — most venues don’t allow you to bring food into the event area.
- Your motor show ticket and credentials.
- Cash, though most sellers will accept cards, it’s always safe to have a backup.
- A battery pack to charge your phone or camera — you’ll be surprised at how quickly batteries drain while taking pictures and videos at motor shows.
- A selfie stick, so you can peer above the crowd to get clearer pictures in crowded stalls.
- A backpack or strolley with enough empty space in it to bring back goodies.
4. Parking
Motor shows require huge spaces and the venues will always have multiple entry gates for visitors. Your tickets will generally have a specific list of gates that you’re allowed entry from — some gates are reserved for service crews, and others for only business visitors and media personnel. Make sure you know which gates you have access from, so you can then park your vehicle closer to it and avoid having to walk all the way around to the other side of the venue — that could be long and tiring even before you’ve stepped foot inside! Once you’ve parked, make sure you memorise your spot with reference to a permanent landmark that you can spot from a distance, even in the dark. That way, you know exactly where to head, once you’re done with the show, without having to hunt around for the specific parking spot number. Figure out the way to the parking area exit when you arrive itself — the way out can be hard to spot in the dark if you end up leaving after sundown.
