San Diego International Auto Show Brings Show Operations ''In House''

SAN DIEGO--May 31, 2006--The San Diego International Auto Show (SDIAS), one of Southern California's most prestigious automotive events, announced today that it has named former media executive Kevin Leap as auto show director. The announcement was made by Dean Mansfield, president, New Car Dealers Association of San Diego County (NCDA), which owns the SDIAS.

Leap, 44, an accomplished publishing and marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience, most recently was president of Los Angeles-based Modern Luxury Magazines, publishers of Angeleno and Riviera magazines of Orange and San Diego counties, respectively. Leap is also experienced in event management having produced the California Computer Expo for the Computer Publishing Enterprises. Previously he was publisher of the 55-year old San Diego Magazine.

"When we created this position we knew it would require the talent of someone with drive and creativity, who could keep pace with the dynamic auto show business," says Mansfield. "Kevin is a bright and highly energetic individual with an extremely positive attitude. Auto manufacturers will appreciate his cooperative spirit and customer-centric focus; and we're just lucky to have him."

Leap reports to the NCDA president, and assumed his new auto show responsibilities May 22, 2006.

The decision to bring show operations in house was made by Mansfield with the support of the NCDA Board of Directors after great consideration. The new position means the end of the show's relationship with producer Motor Trend Auto Shows, Inc. which Mansfield describes as "an important asset to our show's growth and development in recent years."

About the San Diego International Auto Show

Presented by the 110-member NCDA, the San Diego International Auto Show is the highest-attended five day auto show in the United States, and the second highest-attended show in California. Located in the seventh largest market in the country, the show boasts access to one of the largest and increasingly influential Hispanic markets in the U.S., and is just 17 miles away from Mexico's wealthiest city - Tijuana - and its population of nearly three million people. The show, which uses some 625,000 square feet of exhibit space on two floors at the waterfront San Diego Convention Center, will be presented Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2005 - Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006.