The 2010 Chicago Auto Show attracted over two million spectators. It covered about 1.5 million square feet and was the largest auto show in the nation. The U.S. Army exhibit was one of the main attractions of the show.
The show was conducted at the McCormick Place Convention Center in February. It hosted a multitude of Army assets throughout the 10 days. Many people participated in the interactive displays and talked with the soldiers. Drill Sergeants from the ‘Drill Sergeant Exhibitor Program’, Accessions Support Brigade, Fort Knox, KY; Drill Sergeants from Fort Monroe VA, Fort Benning, GA and Fort Jackson, SC and a local USAR Drill Sergeant Unit Rockford, IL were some of the soldiers who assisted the Chicago Recruiting Battalion. Their personal soldier experiences were shared. Tens of thousands of enthusiastic visitors who came for a glimpse of the many Army assets were assisted by them.
The ACU printed Army-Branded Harley Davidson Motorcycle; The massive Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP); a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicle (MATV) are some of the vehicles exhibited. The Defender Simulator Semi-Truck where soldiers can rehearse the combat missions was also exhibited. Some other vehicles which were featured were A Video Game Tent; The Remote-Control Racing Challenge with miniature Army race cars; The NHRA Dragster; The Army Orange County Chopper; The Apache Simulator; and The ever-popular Dog-Tag Machine. It also exhibited a Surgical Medical Tent that is used in a Combat Zone. The army exhibit also featured An Interview Booth and a ‘Point of Sale’ Electronic Lead Generation System which was used to pre-qualify the candidates for track leads and enlistment and Centers of Influence.
It was a great success for the Chicago Recruiting Battalion. More than 15 thousand leads were collected and over hundred interviews were conducted at the point of sale booth. About 15,000 people out of 2 million spectators, requested for more information regarding certain opportunities for Army services.