Sam Klemet knew he was in for the ride of his life and career when he joined the Detroit Auto Dealers Association as co-executive director last May alongside Rod Alberts.
The organization stages the Detroit Auto Show and at the time, it was gearing up for its signature event that was about to make its return to a January time slot.
The ride in the high-profile job certainly didn’t disappoint, Klemet told me as we talked on Wednesday.
The 2025 Detroit Auto Show, held Jan. 10-20 at Huntington Place on the riverfront in downtown Detroit, gained attention and headlines as the event — like all auto shows across the globe — has been adjusting as automakers change marketing plans with less focus on vehicle reveals at shows.
The recent Detroit show attracted 275,000 attendees and had an economic impact of about $370 million, Klemet said, quoting Ancora Managing Director and Portfolio Manager David Sowerby.
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The return to winter proved to be a crowd pleaser, which is why the 2026 show will again be held in the throes of winter ― Jan. 14-25, 2026.
“We’re excited to announce next year’s dates and keep the momentum going,” said 2026 Detroit Auto Show Chair Todd Szott. “January is synonymous with cars in the Motor City, and we expect plenty of auto-centric experiences to once again be on tap for the 2026 show.”
Yes, the crowd size was smaller compared with pre-pandemic levels, but Klemet put it in perspective.
“It’s like having four sold-out Lions games at Ford Field over two weeks,” he said. “That’s an incredible amount of people coming together under one roof, engaging with vehicles, cutting-edge technology, and the future of mobility. It really speaks to the passion and excitement surrounding the auto industry.”
Klemet takes over as Alberts, who held the job over three decades and helped turn it into an international event when automakers were all in, decided to wind down his time at the conclusion of the 2025 show.
Alberts, along with DADA leadership, looked for someone brimming with creativity and talent to reenergize and rethink the show. The job was offered to Klemet.
The Michigan State University graduate is looking to bring a new vibe to the event, one tied to experiential events, autos, mobility and more.
Klemet, 40, started his career in broadcast news, having worked at television stations across the Midwest. He moved into association management including running industry organizations promoting the broadcast industry in Indiana and Michigan.
More:Detroit is back in the spotlight. Why that feels so good
As DADA executive director, Klemet works with 285 dealers across southeast Michigan as they stage the Detroit event. I posed a few questions to Klemet. His answers have been edited for length.
QUESTION: This was your first auto show event. How did it go?
ANSWER: I think the show was a great success. Experiencing it for the first time as co-executive director alongside Rod Alberts was invaluable. I had the opportunity to learn from his expertise and gain a deeper understanding of the show’s impact from this leadership perspective.
The move back to January brought a renewed sense of energy. We expanded our footprint at Huntington Place compared to 2023, welcomed new brands, introduced a dynamic gallery of luxury vehicles, and created more immersive, hands-on experiences for attendees. One of the most exciting aspects was seeing an influx of first-time visitors, signaling that the show is resonating with a new generation of auto enthusiasts.
Q: What was the most challenging part?
A: Reintroducing people to the idea that we were back in January. With all the shifts over the past few years due to COVID, there was some reorientation needed — but the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
Q: What did you learn from this show you will take going forward?
A: Being from metro Detroit, I’ve always known how deeply this city cares about the auto industry, but experiencing it firsthand at this level was a powerful reminder. The energy and passion from attendees, manufacturers and the industry as a whole were truly inspiring. Our goal is to build a show that not only showcases the future of mobility but also taps into that enthusiasm for cars and for Detroit itself. We’re committed to evolving, listening and creating experiences that excite, educate and connect people to the future of mobility.
Q: You tied into sports to help market the event. Looking to do same next year?
A: Detroit is a city built on automotive innovation, sports passion, and incredible musical talent, and we embraced all of that at the 2025 show. Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to lean in even more. Sports, in particular, bring people together, and our pro teams, much like the city itself, are on the rise.
Q: Are you planning next year’s show?
A: We started planning the 2026 show before the 2025 show had even concluded. A two-week event of this scale takes extensive coordination, and every detail plays a role in delivering an unforgettable experience. We feel good about the direction of the show, but there’s always room to evolve. Our goal is to keep pushing boundaries — not just in attendance but in experience. We want to create more immersive, tech-forward, and interactive elements that bring people closer to vehicles, innovations and brands shaping the future of mobility.
Q: Anything else?
A: The show is more than an event — it’s a stage for innovation, a celebration of our city’s automotive legacy, and a hub where car enthusiasts, industry leaders and future generations converge. The momentum is there, and we’re just getting started.
Contact Carol Cain at [email protected]. She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and 9:30 am Sundays on CW Detroit 50. See Brian Hanna of the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency; Mike Brennan, editor of Four20 Pos, and Gus Rosania, professor of pharmaceutical sciences at University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, on this week’s show. You can also watch the show on the two station’s listings on Fubu, Pluto TV, YouTube TV and Apple TV.