VIP Night at the Canadian International AutoShow has become one of the industry’s most anticipated evenings, a chance to celebrate Canada’s auto industry in an exclusive setting before the doors open to the public.
On Feb. 13, thousands of OEM leaders, dealers, suppliers and partners filled the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for a night of hospitality, entertainment and early access to the AutoShow’s exhibits. With the latest vehicles on display and the show floor at its most intimate, attendees were able to check out the cars, trucks and SUVs up close before the general public arrived.
But VIP Night energy wasn’t contained to the convention centre. Across downtown Toronto, a full calendar of pre- and post-show gatherings turned the evening into a citywide automotive celebration, with venues packed and guests dressed to the nines.
One of the most sought-after stops once again was Cars, Culture and Conversations, now in its third year and firmly established as a hard-to-get ticket on the VIP Night circuit. The invite-only event — jointly sponsored by TD Auto Finance, SiriusXM, PBS Systems and Safe-Guard — drew a largely dealer crowd to a speakeasy-style venue just minutes from the AutoShow.
Charles Drouin, CEO of Mobilis Corporation, Karine Lebel, President and CEO of Les Produits Avantage Plus, and Patrick Vaillancourt, Regional Sales Director of Les Produits Avantage Plus
Guests were treated to cocktails, oysters and an impressive food spread, along with entertainment that included a tarot card reader operating behind a discreet door near the back of the club. The relaxed, intimate setting provided a contrast to the scale of the show floor, giving industry colleagues time to reconnect before the main event.
Back at the AutoShow, the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario (MVRO) hosted its President’s Preview reception — hosted by this year’s AutoShow president, Rick Blacker — inside the AutoExotica section. Surrounded by exotic and classic vehicles, dealers and industry leaders gathered for food and drinks ahead of the official 7:30 p.m. opening.
Just south of the convention centre, the Automotive Business School of Canada (ABSC) held its annual VIP Night gathering at Steam Whistle Brewing, alongside partners taq Automotive Intelligence and Accelerate Auto. The event brought together students, educators, dealers and industry suppliers for networking and celebration. During the evening, Wesley Pike, director of OEM business at PBS Systems Inc., was named the recipient of the ABSC Alumni of the Year Award, earning recognition from peers and program leaders for his industry contributions and continued support of the school.
Once VIP Night was fully underway, the show floor took on a celebratory tone. Booths and hospitality areas were busy throughout the evening, and the night culminated with a high-energy blues-rock performance by Canadian favourites, The Sheepdogs, on the Chevy stage, giving attendees a concert-style finale to an already buzzing evening.
From early access to packed receptions across the downtown core, VIP Night 2026 delivered a high-octane start to this year’s Canadian International AutoShow.
