Back by popular demand: Come see the fabulous North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Center in Detroit as only an insider can — on a private tour led by an industry expert before the show opens to the public, drawing the crowds that can stand between you and the cars.

The Columbia Alumni Association of Michigan is hosting this tour Wednesday, January 11 led by prominent auto analyst and Columbia grad Thomas Libby, Manager, Loyalty Solutions and Industry Analysis for IHS Automotive.

Tom, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Amherst College and an MBA in marketing from Columbia, provides data and analysis for several automotive clients and gives data and commentary to the media. You will often read his name in the local press and hear him interviewed on radio and see him on television.  

This is not just a tour of the auto show. It’s an opportunity to hear an automotive expert with more than 25 years in the business share his intimate knowledge of the U.S. new and used vehicle industries as you examine — up close and personal — the best new offerings from automakers around the globe. 

Tom’s exclusive tour begins at the Joe Louis statue in the lobby of Cobo Center on Wednesday, January 11, during Industry Preview days, when industry insiders pay as much as $110 to gain advance access to the show. We will gather at the statue beginning at 6 p.m. We will be admitted as a group to the show at 6:30 p.m. and have no way to accommodate latecomers.

The Columbia Alumni Association of Michigan is offering the tour for just $30 per person. 

We'd like to thank the Detroit Automobile Dealers Association for allowing our club to have this fundraiser. The Columbia Alumni Association of Michigan is a 501(c) (3) tax exempt organization.

 NOTE: Total attendance on the tour is limited to 25 people, so please act now.  This tour always sells out.