Greetings MAMA members,
Welcome to the first edition of the MAMA Newsletter! We’re planning to send out these updates on a quarterly basis going forward, to keep you up to date on the latest MAMA news.
MAMA was formed in the fall of 1991 to bring together journalists and public relations professionals involved in the automotive industry. Today, we are proud to be one of the premier media associations in the country, with 250 members.
The MAMA Board was delighted to welcome a new Vice President to our team in mid-June. Harvey Briggs has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the automotive media business, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. MAMA will benefit greatly from his skill set and energy.
The MAMA Spring Rally Team put on another successful Spring Rally at the Road America course in Elkhart Lake, WI, this past May, and we’re thrilled with the strong attendance and the excellent content that our members generated from the event. Nearly 100 journalists attended and had access to 80 vehicles from 25 different brands, with driving opportunities on track, street, off-road, and autocross. The team recently held our debrief meeting to compare notes, and look for ways to make next year’s event even better.
Our July meeting, hosted by Hyundai, took place on July 11. Hyundai brought a small fleet of its new Palisade three-row SUVs for a driving excursion that took participants to Starved Rock State Park and back, providing a great opportunity for a detailed road-test evaluation. More information is posted below on this new vehicle entering into the midsize SUV segment.
Our next monthly luncheon meeting is scheduled for August 14, and will be hosted by the Steel Market Development Institute. Don’t miss it—the meeting will feature a virtual-reality experience that will provide a glimpse of what a ride an autonomous vehicle may look and feel like.
We’re also gearing up for this year’s Fall Rally, which will once again be held at the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL. October 2 is the date for that event, so mark it on your calendar and stay tuned for more updates in the near future.
That’s all for this time… see you next time around!
Damon Bell
MAMA President
