The 2008 Arizona International Auto Show is one of the most anticipated auto shows for car enthusiasts, but it's also a big gold star on the calendars of car dealers all over Arizona. Held November 22 ? 25, over Thanksgiving weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center on North Third Street, thousands are expected to turn out to get a glimpse of what's brand new for 2008.

The show gives folks the opportunity to check out all kinds of new vehicles ? 400 to be exact -- pickups , cars, cross-overs, and SUVs all under one roof. Scheduled to make an appearance are several exciting new models like the 2008 Isuzu i-370 Extended Cab pickup, the Hummer H3 Alpha, and the Audi R8 in addition to the latest concept cars by various makers.

Dealers from Chevrolet as well as Ford will be there offering ride and drives of the Chevy Malibu and several Ford models.

Sunday, November 25 is "Family Day." Kids under 12 years are free with a paid, accompanying adult. When you go, be sure to visit the South Building of the Convention Center where reliable favorites like Honda, GM, Isuzu, and Kia will be showing off their brand new models, as well as the West Building where you can check out Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Volvo.

Auto shows are important to dealers because of the enthusiasm they generate for new cars. Even people who wouldn't necessarily be ready to trade in their older models see a new model, fall in love with it, and the decision process begins. Even dealers who are not onsite offering drives at the auto show will experience an influx of potential new customers in the weeks following. Car shows are designed to be exciting. They bring car enthusiasts together in a social environment and allow them to reflect on all kinds of information about the cars that searching the internet would take hours to do. In the weeks after a car show, people begin to really think about the cars they've seen and decide they'd like to test drive the ones they were most interested in.

The Arizona International Auto show is sponsored by Motor Trend Auto Shows (the nation's largest new-model auto show producer) and will travel to 23 different convention centers this year, from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Secaucus, New Jersey and more.

Arizona car dealers aren't the only ones who will benefit from exposure at the show. Even if you're not in the market for a new car, at only $9.00 for adult admission, it's an affordable outing for the whole family on a weekend when you often find yourself trying to figure out how to entertain relatives. Attendees will learn more about automotive trends in general, but also about automotive safety features available or soon-to-be available.

The show happens in Arizona every two years, so don't miss it this time around. We know football and overeating are a big part of the holiday weekend, but there's always time for an auto show, right?