LOMBARD, Illinois – The 2016 MAMA Business Meeting was held at Harry Caray's on Jan. 27. MAMA board members provided reports on how the organization had progressed over the last year, and the membership elected the board for 2016.
For 2016, the MAMA board will consist of Webmaster Jennifer Morand; Vice President of Membership Fred Ligouri; Secretary Kelley Enright; Treasurer Larry Nutson; Vice President Jill Ciminillo; and President Patrick Olsen.
In addition, Dave Sloan and Mark Bilek provided a preview of the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, which will include a series of vehicle debuts.
The Treasurer’s news for the year was positive. We began 2015 with a balance of $75,720, took in $157,850 during the year, (which includes $10,485 in late payments from 2014 CY), spent $137,447, and ended with a balance of $96,125 in Jan. 2016.
Secretary Jennifer Morand reported that during the 2015 MAMA Business Meeting, there were 28 people in attendance. The 2015 Chicago Auto Show MAMA Breakfast had approximately 400 people in attendance; the Chrysler 200 was named Family Vehicle of the Year. In March, Chrysler hosted 40 guests at The Grove in Glenview to test drive the 300. MAMA hosted its annual Spring Rally last May at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. 160 industry personnel attended, 88 of which were journalists. MAMA held a track school for members last July at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven, MI to get them comfortable with track driving and safety precautions. Space was limited to 24 attendees total, and was split into morning and afternoon sessions; Dodge was the presenting sponsor. Nissan hosted the July monthly meeting to discuss Maxima; there were 35 members in attendance. GM hosted 30 attendees for an August meeting to announce Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in 14 GM models. Honda also hosted an August meeting to share details for its light truck lineup; 40 members attended. September’s meeting focused on Jaguar Land Rover and the XE and F-Pace; 27 attended that meeting. MAMA held its annual Fall Rally in October at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet. A private dinner in Bobby Rahal’s garage kicked everything off. There were 120 people in attendance, 77 of which were journalists. Also in October, Toyota shared details with members on the 2016 Tacoma; 30 members attended that presentation. Then, in December, MAMA threw a Holiday Social for 60 members at the historic Danada House in Wheaton. Overall, the average meeting attendance in 2015 was 32 members, not counting rallies or special events.
Vice President of Membership Fred Ligouri reported that as of the date of the meeting, MAMA’s total membership stood at 246 members. This represents a slight increase, from 233 in 2015, in membership year over year. Of the current 246 members, 82 are affiliate members, 162 are media members, and 2 are in the retired class of membership.
