Winter is here!
For hundreds, perhaps thousands of collector car enthusiasts, that means “Auction Week”, anchored by the granddaddy of car auctions, known simply as “The Barrett-Jackson”.
Every January, car enthusiasts and collectors from around the globe converge on this popular event which features vehicles of all types and ages, including an impressive array of rare and high-end vehicles.
Slated for Jan. 20-28, 2024, at WestWorld, a state-of-the-art event venue located at 16601 N. Pima Rd. Scottsdale, Ariz., this year’s Barrett-Jackson Auction includes not only hundreds of vehicles for sale and numerous vendor exhibits, but also live entertainment featuring the popular 80’s band Foreigner.
The auction has evolved beyond just a gathering for car enthusiasts and a popular social event to a platform for philanthropy.
Local charities and community projects have been direct beneficiaries of the auction’s success.
Through their support of medical research, education initiatives, and community development programs, Scottsdale based Barrett-Jackson’s charitable contributions and tradition of auctioning charity cars, where 100 percent of the sale price goes directly to the selected charity, are part of the positive relationship between the auction and its host city.
Rodney Scearce, the director of public relations for Barrett-Jackson, told Northeast Valley News that the auctions have raised over $154 million for more than 200 charities worldwide, including Arizona organizations like Fighter Country Foundation in 2023 and the Mayo Clinic and Barrow Neurological Foundation in 2022.
In addition to the charitable impact, the event also boosts the local economy by attracting visitors, creating job opportunities, and promoting tourism.
Hotels, restaurants, and businesses alike in Scottsdale experience a significant uptick in activity during the auction, further solidifying the Barrett-Jackson Auction as a cornerstone event that brings both economic and philanthropic benefits to Scottsdale.
For many, Auction Week marks the beginning of the event season in Scottsdale which culminates in February with the Waste Management Open Golf Tournament and wraps up with Major League Baseball’s Spring Training, before winter is gone and the summer temperatures chase away the cool-weather visitors.
