About Us

Motor Trend Auto Shows, LLC (MTAS), the nation’s largest auto show producer was founded in 1984 and has since grown to produce auto shows in 24 markets across the country and in Puerto Rico.
 
We staff offices in Detroit, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, San Diego, and Los Angeles and at our headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. This gives us the advantage of having large-market expertise and manufacturer support, and the ability to produce a first-class event with local flare and a personal touch.
 
As part of one of the largest special-interest magazine publishing companies in the United States, MTAS leverages its relationships with over 40 automotive titles to enhance the shows it produces on behalf of its clients. Our partnership also extends to Motor Trend Radio, broadcast on over 70 local stations as well as nationwide on SIRIUS and XM satellite radio.

John Marriott is senior vice president and general manager of Motor Trend Auto Shows, LLC and the head of the Enthusiast Media Event Group, which includes the Lowrider events and the Endurocross and MiniMoto motorcycle race series. John’s emphasis within the Event Group is leveraging a group of cross-trained event production professionals, capable of producing enthusiast consumer events nationwide, with the support of related enthusiast publications. John drives a group-wide focus on the development and execution of cross-promotional campaigns, sales and marketing outreach and co-branding projects.

Prior to joining Motor Trend Auto Shows, LLC in 2002, John served as vice president of operations for PRIMEDIA’s Consumer Magazine and Media Group, after previously serving as the group’s director of Internet operations.  John was also a founder, president and COO of the equestrian website EquiSearch.com, which was purchased by PRIMEDIA in 1999; and was formerly a management consultant with Coopers & Lybrand. Before beginning his business career, John graduated with distinction from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Following his eight years of service as an officer in the U.S. Army, John earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Steve Freeman, CMP, is vice president and executive producer of Motor Trend Auto Shows, LLC (MTAS). He is responsible for the executive production of several of MTAS’ family of auto shows, in addition to operational aspects of planning for all shows and overseeing the event services department. Steve’s experience with both auto shows and their venues comes together to help generate the first-class automotive events for which MTAS is known.

Prior to being named executive producer at MTAS, Steve was the director of event management and a show manager, with responsibilities ranging from negotiating decorator contracts to overseeing on-site operations during the auto shows.

Before joining MTAS in 1998, Steve worked at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center, and later as an event coordinator at the Phoenix Convention Center. He is a graduate of the School for Public Assembly Management, a certified meeting professional (CMP) and a member of the International Association of Exhibition Management (IAEM). Steve is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his BA in Latin American Studies.