This year, I figured it would be the year it all got old. While there weren't any waterfalls that spelled things, there were some awesome concept cars and interactive displays. I mean, what other indoor auto show lets you take a ride on a Jeep Trail Rated track or try your hand at a climbing wall? And, did you catch the Wii video game back by the Chrysler test track? I was at the show pretty much every other day, and while I got plenty tired of traipsing over 1.3 million square-feet of the show room floor, I was still dazzled.

And the really cool thing this year was the circularity of my coverage. I was there on day one of the move in, and I was there as the cars were driving off the floor. That's the stuff you never get to see, and I'm thrilled I got to be there and bring you a behind-the-scenes look.

The folks at the Chicago Automobile Trade Association do a tremendous job putting on the show each year, and while there are no official numbers released on how many people attend the Chicago Auto Show, I know there were a ton. People come to ooh and aah over the concepts, but they also come to do research on their next car purchase. More than 1,000 vehicles grace the floor of the show each year, and that in and of itself is dazzling.

I have to admit, I miss the spelling waterfalls and some of the dazzling displays I've seen in the past. But the Chicago Auto Show is no less cool with each passing year. The only challenge I throw out is to the manufacturers ... With such a large consumer show in Chicago -- one that's arguably larger and (cough) better than the Detroit show -- I'd like to see more razzle with the dazzle and more product launches that begin in Chicago. So, there. Consider the gauntlet tossed, and we'll see you in Chicago next year for what I'm sure will be another dazzling display.