Concours d’Elegance of America to move in 2011

A day after the 2010 Concours d'Elegance of America ended, organizers announced that the event will be moved next year to a different location to take advantage of more onsite facilities.

For more than 30 years Detroit’s “love affair” with the automobile has been celebrated at Meadow Brook Hall on the campus of Oakland University, but chosen to replace the venerable venue is The Inn at St John’s in Plymouth. Next year's Concours will be held July 31, 2011.

The Concours’ Board of Directors stated in a press release issued Monday that its decision to move the world-class event to St. John’s was not taken lightly. “Our many years at Meadow Brook Hall have been wonderful,” remarked Concours Chairman Peter Heydon. “We have shared Detroit’s passion for the automobile with friends from all over the world on the beautiful lawns of Meadow Brook Hall. But as times have changed, the economics of producing an event such as ours necessitates the presence of an on-site hotel with conference facilities specifically designed for large events. We will dearly miss the Hall; but many of our Exhibitors and Sponsors have looked for us to make such a change as this for some time.

“While the venue will change, the character of the Concours will not," he added. "Sunday Concours Day, RM’s Saturday Auction, The Motoring Tour, Seminars and weekend Gala will remain as continuing features of the 2011 event at The Inn at St. John’s.”

St John’s offers the Concours 197 acres for showcasing the 'by invitation only' world-class automobiles traditionally shown at the Concours. The luxury hotel provides meeting rooms, banquet halls, fine dining facilities and additional rooms at an adjacent sister hotel. Additionally, the meeting rooms and conference areas feature natural exterior window light for seminars, demonstrations and ancillary Concours events; two large ballrooms; a capacious display field; a 27-hole golf course adjacent to the former Seminary; and a location in close proximity to Detroit International Airport and the area’s major Interstate highways.

“The management, staff and the Board of Directors are thrilled that the Concours d'Elegance of America is moving to St John’s,” said Dana Orlando, St John’s event coordinator. “We do not look at the Concours as a customer we look them as our partner in this event and our service will demonstrate that view.”

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