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Auto show's economic models sport figures to rev recovery

Posted February 07, 2011 12:00 am

By Burt Constable

The number of models at the Chicago Auto Show could be an indication that the economy is recovering, says Caitlyn McCabe, left, of Wheaton, who poses with other models at a recent auto show. Trade shows seem to be hiring more models, McCabe says, but they also expect their models to know everything about the products and do a good job of selling to the public. Courtesy/Caitlyn McCabe

An old wives' tale insists that you can predict the veracity of the approaching winter by counting the brown bands of fuzz on woolly bear caterpillars. An old columnist's tale is that you can predict the strength of an economic recovery by counting the number of good-looking models standing next to cars at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show.

“I just got home from the Portland Auto Show,” says model Caitlyn McCabe, 25, of Wheaton, who also has worked auto shows in Los Angeles and Detroit and is scheduled to work the Lincoln display at the Chicago Auto Show, which opens to the public Friday at McCormick Place and runs through Feb. 20. “From what I hear, auto shows are on the rise. People are buying cars again.”

McCabe, who graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor's degree in communication, began modeling her senior year and knows about the effect of the economy on the modeling industry.

“It really tapered off in 2008,” says McCabe, a former Wheaton North cheerleader and Miss Illinois International 2007, whose TV career has spanned opportunities from her former job as a production assistant for WFLD Fox News Chicago to her 2010 gig as a contestant on “The Bachelor” TV show. Seeing the recession cut into her modeling gigs, McCabe diversified.

“I went into real-estate leasing, and that dropped off. Thankfully, the model and talent industry came back,” says McCabe, who makes $250 to $1,000 a day for modeling.

“We've seen an increase not only in the number of people looking for models, but in the available budgets they have for staffing their booths,” says David Gascon, owner and president of Models 4 Trade Shows, a national model-staffing service of the MDC Agency. Gascon says his agency sent four models to last year's Chicago auto show and will double or triple that number this year.

“I've always been able to find jobs,” says Brittany Mitchell, 25, one of Gascon's top models who is based in Chicago and makes her living working trade shows such as the National Restaurant Association show at Chicago or the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in Rosemont. Other shows aren't as fun.

“There's nothing remotely interesting about work works,” Murphy says of one of her trade show jobs. “It's pipes.”

Even though the model market is coming back, the jobs are different.

“I think the days are gone of people just standing next to cars. Nobody wants to pay for that,” says McCabe, who notes that her modeling job requires her to explain the features of the 2011 Lincoln's MKX SUV from the voice-activated control system to the 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 engine. “People are still surprised that we have the knowledge. They'll say, ‘Oh, you can answer my questions?' They grill you and you know everything, and they are dumbfounded.”

Speaking of dumbfounding, the industry might have changed, but many of the male customers have not. Trade show models still must put up with the onslaught on cheesy lines.

“I was wearing silver pants,” Mitchell says, beginning a story by noting that even men without magnetic personalities apparently are attracted to women wearing metallic-looking pants.

“Are those space pants?” Mitchell says, imitating the conversation-starters of man after man. “It was endless.”

More than endless.

“It's kind of creepy,” the model admits, “but my attitude is you can't blame the guy for trying.”

A jam-packed show means more flirts per hour, so it's a good sign for the economy if this year's auto show models top the 25 FPH limit.

Trade shows seem to be hiring more models such as Caitlyn McCabe of Wheaton, but she says the days of models just standing around and looking pretty are gone. Whether its making coffee at restaurant shows or giving long spiels about a new car at the Chicago Auto Show, models work hard for their money, McCabe says. Courtesy/Caitlyn McCabe

Looking attractive and professional is just part of the job of a trade show model, says Caitlyn McCabe, right, of Wheaton. Models need to know their products and be able to inform the public, she says. Courtesy/Caitlyn McCabe

Not every trade show is an auto show where models get to show off fancy cars. But model Caitlyn McCabe of Wheaton says she enjoys the work, which fits in nicely with her bachelors degree in communication. I like talking to people, McCabe says. I like informing the customer. Courtesy/Caitlyn McCabe

A model wearing eye-catching metallic pants draws plenty of comments from passing males, but thats all part of the job, says Brittany Mitchell, a top trade show model for the MDC agency. My attitude is you cant blame the guy for trying, she says. Courtesy/Brittany Mitchell

Saying she prefers trade shows where she gets to show up in a suit to work, model Brittany Mitchell of the MDC agency may be a sign the economy is improving. Courtesy/Brittany Mitchell

Making a living as a model involves a little luck, but Brittany Mitchell of Chicago, a top trade show model for the MDC agency, says shes never had an extended dry spell during her three years in the industry. Courtesy/Brittany Mitchell

Giving modeling a spin has worked out well for Brittany Mitchell, who lives in Chicago and, as a top model for the MCD agency, gets plenty of work at trade shows. Courtesy/Brittany Mitchell

2011 Chicago Auto Show

When: Friday, Feb. 11, through Feb. 20. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. except on the last day, when the show closes at 8 p.m.

Location: McCormick Place, 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago.

Tickets: $11 for adults, $7 for people 62 and older and kids ages 7 through 12. Younger kids admitted free with an accompanying adult. Tickets available at the door, at <a href="http://www.drivechicago.com">www.drivechicago.com</a> or at participating BP gas stations and auto dealerships.

Exhibits: Nearly 1,000 vehicles and activities. See<a href="http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/default.aspx"> chicagoautoshow.com </a>for details.

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