Everything glitters – from cars to stars

"Welcome to the circus," I said to fellow Wheels writer Lorraine Sommerfeld as we walked through the doors of Cobo Center. Sommerfeld was a Detroit auto show rookie and I was given the job of showing her around.

Here's my advice to her: Wear comfy shoes

At 700,000 square feet, the Motor City's riverside Cobo Center will wreak havoc on your tender tootsies. At times, you think you're part of Dancing with the Stars as you manoeuvre around cameras, TV equipment, wandering people and, of course, the cars. Be on your toes at all times – even if they hurt!

Book a chiropractor

Lug your laptop around for three days, plus all the other "stuff" from automakers and by the end of the day each journalist resembles a pack mule. Many companies offer their press kits electronically, but others do not. You've built a "green" vehicle, so why not save the planet by not handing out a 2 kg glossy paper press kit?

Expect the unexpected

Though it's often said it's dangerous to work with children or animals, the media coverage of Dodge herding longhorn cattle at the show to herald the new Ram pickup proves it can work. Automakers want to get their point across, hence all the celebrities. At the Ram launch, though, Wheels' Jil McIntosh almost literally got the point – from a wayward longhorn. Me? I refuse to attend any future press conferences if helmets are required.

Eat, drink and be merry

Two years ago, the Detroit show was a smorgasbord: Kobe beef, French pastries and delectable sushi, as well as massages, photo booths and shoeshines. Last year, the companies focused mostly on the vehicles and many a journo went hungry. This year things were just right. Though the show was subdued overall, it was still a great gathering of automotive eye candy – with fewer calories.

Have fun

The vehicles on display are some of the best examples of the creativity at work in the auto industry. As one of the key exhibitions for that industry, Detroit's cool designs and bright colours peppered the floor and it's hard not to feel optimistic about the future of the industry – whether you're a show rookie or an old hand.

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