Doug Sullivan the first from outside GTA to head up Canadian International AutoShow

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If you love cars, there’s no better place to be this month than at the Canadian International AutoShow. This year’s president – Doug Sullivan, co-owner of Bickley Ford in Huntsville – says he’s honoured to be at the helm.

“Our highlight this year will be the celebration Canada’s 150th birthday and we have a fantastic team putting it together which makes it a pleasure for me,” he says.

Sullivan earned the honour as the past president of the Trillium Automotive Dealer Association (TADA) – he was also the first person from outside the GTA to head up that organization.

“We had a very successful year and I would say one of our biggest accomplishments is getting information out to colleges, universities and high schools on what the auto industry has to offer students in terms of career paths,” says Sullivan.

He’s proud that he helped to initiate TADA’s Northern Ontario Golf Tournament, held at Muskoka Bay Golf Course, which raised more than $28,000 in support of mental health. It’s the most recent in a long list of fundraising the organization has done: TADA continues to fulfil their pledge of $1,000,000 to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to help establish the world’s first Concussion Research Centre, and in the past, TADA’s Gift of Life Wing opened at Ronald MacDonald House Toronto with its $2,000,000 donation to the project. “Our contributions are beneficial to many and for this we are thankful.”

With his TADA presidential duties complete, Sullivan is focused on the upcoming Canadian International AutoShow (CIAS).

CIAS is the largest auto show in Canada, and what a show it’s going to be. With more than 1,000 cars, trucks, SUVs, muscle cars, fully electric and autonomous vehicles, the show has something to see for everyone. They’ll also be showcasing some classics from Canadian collectors in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday and give a nod to 50 years of Grand Prix racing in Canada.

TADA donates a vehicle every year for Prostate Cancer Canada’s Rock the Road raffle – this year it’s a 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT. “We donate money to many charities but this is our main initiative,” says Sullivan. “Because TADA donates the vehicle, all proceeds go directly to Prostate Cancer Canada. This will be the fif^th year TADA has participated and we hope to donate over $1 million dollars combined.”

Enthusiasts will even get a special look into the future with 16 different concept cars on display – everything from “beautiful speed machines and high-end luxury sedans to SUVs meant for daily driving.” The Aston Martin-Red Bull concept hypercar AM-RB001 will make its global auto show debut and its first appearance in North America at CIAS.

Or take a peek at Toyota’s FCV Plus, a Hydrogen Fuel Cell concept car which generates electricity from hydrogen stored outside the vehicle.

The 2017 Canadian International AutoShow runs February 17-26 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. There’s high-octane family fun on Family Day, February 20, and special ticket pricing on Super Tuesday, February 21. For more information visit autoshow.ca.