The 11th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance presented by Mercedes-Benz and AutoNation is pleased to announce the 2017 Local Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Marc Cannon, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Communications, Digital and Public Policy at AutoNation. Cannon will be honored with the coveted award on February 11, 2017 during the Grand Gala Dinner, Auction & Show at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, which will feature an unforgettable performance by comedian Jeff Foxworthy. As the nation’s fastest growing Concours and the world’s largest for charity, the Boca Raton Concours fully benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.
During his tenure with AutoNation, Cannon has been instrumental in the growth of the company into the country’s largest and most successful automotive retailer with nearly 300 locations. In particular, he supervised AutoNation’s brand launch from coast-to-coast. Marc was an integral part of the executive team that launched AutoNation Express, the company’s industry leading transactional digital platform, which seamlessly integrates the customer’s in store and online experience. Cannon also spearheads the company’s multi-year mission to raise funds to fight cancer, through the DRV PNK campaign. Marc has successfully positioned the company as the leading voice in automotive retail, and was instrumental in introducing the Road Runner into AutoNation’s national advertising campaign.
“We are thrilled to honor Marc with the 2017 Local Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award,” says event founder, Rick Case. “Marc is a seasoned communications executive who has been an integral part of AutoNation’s continued growth. We cannot think of a more deserving recipient for this signature Local Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Founded by Rita & Rick Case of Rick Case Automotive Group and under the direction of Founding Event Chair James E. McDonnell, IV and Honorary Chair Mike Jackson, the Boca Raton Concours is all to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County and the more than 12,500 at-risk youth it serves. “The entire Concours team is comprised of a group of over 300 volunteers who donate their time to the planning and execution of the event,” says Brian Quail, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. “In 2016, the event attracted thousands of attendees and to date has raised more than $9.2 million for our organization, making the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance the world’s largest for charity.”
Friday, February 10 kicks off the weekend of events with the duPont Registry™ Live Hangar Party at Atlantic Aviation at the Boca Raton Airport. Guests will experience gourmet tastings from more than 20 of South Florida’s finest restaurants and indulge in an array of fine wines and spirits. Guests can also peruse an impressive selection of exotic cars, motorcycles, extravagant boats, private jets, premier vendors and more.
Saturday, February 11 features educational automotive seminars designed for the true automotive collector enthusiast as well as the live auction presented by The Finest, showcasing a hand-picked selection of world class collector cars available for sale. As its partnership with Proxibid continues to grow, collectors from all over the world can bid without the hassle of having someone physically at the auction and the bidding process will continue after the live event ends. This unique approach changes the way buyers and sellers interact, adapting the internet to meet the needs of even the most discerning buyer.
The Grand Gala Dinner, Auction & Show will follow, featuring a cocktail hour and silent auction, gourmet dinner and live auction, including one-of-a-kind trips and experience packages, luxury jewelry, and more. Guests will also enjoy the presentation of the Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award, plus a stellar performance by one of the most respected and successful comedians in the country, Jeff Foxworthy.
With more than 13 million albums sold, Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy-recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and bestselling author of more than 26 books. In 2014, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Widely known for his redneck jokes, his act goes well beyond that to explore the humor in everyday family interactions and human nature, a style that has been compared to Mark Twain’s. Jeff and Larry the Cable Guy are currently on tour, which features all-new material from both comedians. In addition, Jeff has his own comedy channel, “Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup,” on SIRIUSXM.
Sunday, February 12 concludes the weekend’s festivities with the Automobile & Motorcycle Exhibition spanning all eras on the Boca Raton Resort & Club showfield. Guests from around the world will experience an automotive showcase like no other, featuring vehicles and motorcycles from an array of time periods. Wayne Carini, host of Chasing Classic Cars, will serve as Grand Marshal, and an expert panel of judges will include Chief Judge Dr. Paul Sable; Co-Chief Honorary Judge Laura Brinkman, Executive Director/CEO of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Automobile Museum; Co-Chief Honorary Judge Mark Tomei, Vice-President of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Club; and Master of Ceremonies Bill Rothermel and Tom DuPont, who will select the finest vintage, antique, classic and exotic vehicles based on period, presentation and overall style. Once the show kicks off, guests are invited to walk through a series of vendor tents and enjoy a selection of gourmet food, wine and cocktails from more than 30 of South Florida’s finest restaurants at the Concours d’Gourmet Pavilion.
For additional information on the 11th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance and to view a full schedule of events, please visit www.bocaCDE.com. As the event evolves, the website will provide up-to-date guest information. All events are open to the public with tickets sold separately: Friday duPont Registry™ Live Hangar Party ($125/person); Saturday Grand Gala Dinner, Auction & Show ($500/person select seat and $1,000/per person premier seat; table options also available); and Sunday Automobile & Motorcycle Exhibition ($75/person general admission or $125/person early admission with Concours d’Gourmet access). To purchase tickets, please call (954) 537-1010 or visit www.bocaCDE.com.