If you've ever done a press junket for any industry, you know they are a whilwind of travel, education and networking. There are meet and greets and in my case, meet and drives. Lexus introduced their ES350 and ES300h last week to the press in Dallas, Texas and over 25 of us stayed at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. From the minute you arrive, to the minute you return to the airport, it's all about driving and evaluating and taking notes and photos.
Day of Arrival
You generally arrive about two hours prior to the dinner, you check in and have a snack at the hospitality room. After dinner you are free to go about your business or spend an hour in the hospitality room before bed just chatting with other journalists.
Breakfast about 7 AM the next morning and...
Now here how it goes... when you are done with your technical and marketing seminar at the hotel you find a journalist partner to drive with and pick one of many different colors and models of Lexus vehicles, usually parked out front of the hotel.
You are given a "route booklet" ( usually three to four different routes). The purpose of this is to experience the vehicle while driving on a freeway and then in town to evaluate stop and go traffic.
In most cities you have some landmarks that are
well known for that particular city or state and your route books tries to point them out so that you can observe while driving the route. Simetimes it is hard becuase if you are holding the route book you are telling the driver where to turn and at what odometer point they need to merge or exit. Both the driver and the passenger are also looking around the car and listening for noise, comfort and cargo space.
I've been to Dallas one other time and did get to go to Southfork where the new/old TV show has been shot, and I did get to see where President Kennedy was shot ( shot being used differently in both sentences.)
So here is what I passed ( didn't stop but for a few photos) while my partner and I drove the Dallas routes. Turtle Creek, Highland Park, Jerry Jones house, Margaret Hunt Hill bridge, Trinity River, Pioneer Plaza, Dallas City Hall, School Book depository where Kennedy was assisinated, Dallas Museum of Art, Winspur Opera House and Baylor Opera House to mention a few.
The journalists dined the first night at the Ritz Carlton in the Fearings Restaurant where Chef Fearing himself stopped by to meet and greet the guests.
There isn't much time in any city during a junket to really stop and look, or stop and visit, but you do get a broadd overview of the types of roads and the lifestyles of different cities. You may even want to go back some time.
Since Texas is pretty hot and humid in the summer, I would return in the Fall or Spring but when Lexus invites you on a trip, it is always first class with accomodations and professional assistance. All the automotive companies have cut back on their budgets but they continue to be very "journalist" focused.
So that is a little bit about what an auto press junket is about. As you can see most of the photos were taken from a car window... couldn't stop... on a time
line.
For more about autos and travel go to twofortheroadusa.com
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