"In fact, area dealers and manufacturers joined together in 1909, 1912 and 1917 to bring forth the best that the young industry had to offer to new car enthusiasts," states Shayne Wilson, President of MAADA. "Their efforts should not go unheralded, since these individuals were the pioneers who helped Atlanta grow into the major automotive center that it is today."

Atlanta experienced its first automobile in 1901 when William Dawson Alexander made his famous round trip in a steam powered Locomobile from downtown to Fort McPherson and back. Over two hours were required for this nine mile trek, with the vehicle occasionally reaching speeds of 20 miles per hour when pushed.

After Alexander's feat, dozens of automobile dealerships opened for business throughout Atlanta, with parts and repair shops following to service this new form of transportation.

The Atlanta Automobile Association presented the city's first official auto show during November of 1909 at the Atlanta Speedway in Hapeville (where Hartsfield International Airport is now located). It was a part of a special Automotive Week celebration that also featured a series of automobile races.

Among the automotive companies featured at the auto show were Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Packard, Stoddard-Dayton, Maxwell, Pierce-Arrow, Franklin, Peerless, Brush, Pennsylvania, Hudson, Stearns, Elmore, Marmon, Woods, Apperson, Overland, Austin, Reo, Locomobile, White, Mora, F.A.L., Waverly, Black and Rapid.

During Automotive Week, The Atlanta Journal reported that "Atlanta is fairly alive with motor car enthusiasts and sleeping accommodations are at a premium. Makers who have not seen each other for months can be seen in groups talking over the past, present and future of the industry. They are all unanimous that the future of the business in Atlanta and the South is a bright one, and many cars will be sold here during 1910."

As the week ended, the Journal estimated that the total attendance for the auto show and racing events reached 150,000. This early public fascination with the automobile is even more impressive when you consider that at the time only 1300 motor cars were owned by Atlantans.

In their closing coverage, the Journal stated, "The success of the whole affair may be summed up in the statement that 'Atlanta had something to offer, and offered it in the best possible manner.' No other city in the country twice Atlanta's size has ever put on anything in the entertainment line half so big nor nearly so successful as Automotive Week."

In 1912, the newly formed Atlanta Automobile and Accessory Association sponsored the Atlanta Auto Show at the Auditorium-Armory.

According to the event's show guide, the mission of the Atlanta Automobile and Accessory Association was for "the purpose of advancing the interests of automobiling in Atlanta and throughout the South."

"The local association plans big things for the future. As soon as some money is piled up in the treasury it hopes to give automobile races that will assist in keeping Atlanta before the people of America as the automobile center of the South. It will give shows each year. And it will do such things as are, in its judgement, desirable and necessary in keeping Atlanta as the Automobile Gateway of Dixie."

Exhibitors at this week long show included Cadillac, Ford Motor Company, Locomobile, Michigan-Georgia Motor Company, Pierce Arrow Chalmers, Studebaker, and Velie Motor Vehicle Company. After market products companies included the Wayne Oil Tank & Pump Company and the Atlanta Auto Top & Trimming Company.

The Atlanta Auto Show offered special musical attractions throughout the week long show, including daily concerts by the Fifth Regiment Band of Atlanta. Refreshments on site were offered in the Wisteria Team Room, and conducted by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

In 1917, the Atlanta Trades and Accessories Association sponsored the Southeastern Auto Show in at the Auditorium-Armory, with a display area of 22,800 square feet (20 times smaller than the show floor of today's Atlanta Journal-Constitution International Auto Show).

Despite the small exhibition area, this auto show was an event demanding front page coverage in the Atlanta Constitution, which stated, " Never before in the history of the entire south has such an exhibition of motor cars, trucks and accessories been seen and it is doubtful if a more gorgeous display ever occupied the boards and caught the eyes of motordom in the east or west."

Thirty-eight different exhibitors participated in the 1917 Auto Show, including the Atlanta Oldsmobile Co., Buick Motor Company, Atlanta Cadillac Company, and the White Hickory Wagon Manufacturing Company.

The show had many different theme nights, including a Chamber of Commerce Night with a concert by the Georgia Tech mandolin and glee club and quartet. The Shriners and the Rotary Club followed with their special nights.

According to media reports, the opening day attendance and enthusiasm was quite good. The Atlanta Constitution reported, "Soon after the doors opened, visitors began to file into the auditorium and in a short while the building was alive with a jolly, interested mass of humanity, anxious to get 'close-ups' of the latest creations of motordom. As the afternoon wore on the crowds increased in size and in the evening the auditorium was packed to capacity."

"The dealers and manufacturers responsible for these early Atlanta auto shows would be amazed at what we have accomplished here today," remarks Shayne Wilson. "In recent years, the display space of just one of our major manufacturers will more than cover the entire area allotted for the Southeastern Auto Show in 1917. Our event also showcases over 600 new vehicles from 40 different manufacturers, including an outstanding selection of concept cars."

The Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers Association is made up of over 160 franchised new car and truck dealers from the 18 county Metro Atlanta area. The association and its members strive to uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity and continuously work together to improve the car buying experience for Metro Atlanta consumers.