The event was being wooed by Chicago and other auto shows, "so we were thrilled to keep them here in Detroit," Molinari said.

The Detroit Economic Club was also on hand at the Detroit convention center Monday, and the Detroit Boat Show is moving in ahead of its Jan. 18-26 run, he said.

"The boat show is typically in February, but when the auto show vacated (its) dates, the boat show was thrilled to jump in and get an earlier start on (its) big selling season," Molinari said.

And Autorama moved up in February this year, he said.

Still, he projects adjustments for the auto show's new date could have an estimated impact of about $500,000 on TCF's bottom line this year.

To accommodate the auto show's move to June, TCF renegotiated with the National Association of Surface Finishers to move its event to July. And it refunded the American Specialty Toy Retail Association's money and gave it a little extra for its troubles to get out of that contract, Molinari said. The event has moved to Orlando.

He estimates TCF Center lost about $100,000 on that event, and the loss of 53 move-in and installation days in connection with the auto show will add up to the loss of about $400,000 in rent. Due to TCF's heavily booked schedule in June, that many moving days won't be available for auto show setup.

"This will definitely be a transition year, but we're anticipating that in the future we'll certainly be able to add another large event into the spring dates" that are currently open as a result of the reshuffling.

Hotel space has always been a hot commodity in Jaunary, and Larry Alexander, president and CEO, Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he's looking forward to the June show.

"I have a lot of optimism for June because the show will be larger with more exhibits and displays and more outdoor activations," he said in an email.

Still, he said, there is "no question that the hole in January is challenging to fill. Our staff has been working diligently to find groups to bring in, but it will take some time."

The American Bus Association, which attracts 3,000-4,000 attendees to its annual gathering, recently announced it will come to Detroit in January 2023.

That association is incredibly important because it attracts 3,000-4,000 attendees and the residual effect of hosting its annual event is huge, said Renee Monforton, communications director for the CVB.

"Their attendees are made up of group tour operators who can bring their tours to Detroit if they're impressed with the region."

The CVB won't have hotel occupancy rates for this week — the same time period as the 2019 show — until next week, said communications director Renee Monforton.

"While we recognize that there will be an adjustment period, the decision to move the show was driven by the desire to reinvigorate the event for 2020 and for the future in a way that we believe is in the best interest of everyone across the region connected to the show," Rod Alberts, NAIAS executive director, told Crain's in a statement. "The same businesses and workers that helped make all our shows great in the past will be same as those we will be working with over the coming months to ensure the show continues to be a success."

Despite the hardships the move has caused, it's also opened up opportunities.

Companies like Production Plus and experiential marketing firm George P. Johnson in Auburn Hills have been able to increase their presence at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

CES, which in the past has taken place the week before NAIAS, cut into the auto show's client base over the past decade as automakers and suppliers increasingly integrate consumer technology into vehicles. CES kept its customary dates, wrapping up last week.

"Our clients have continued to participate in other experiential events," said Craig Erlich, general manager of the Auburn Hills and Nashville operations and executive vice president at experiential marketing firm George P. Johnson. "This year has been bigger than any other year in clients participating at CES. It didn't replace NAIAS in terms of staffing and operations, but it significantly filled that hole we would have experienced otherwise."

Production Plus also made a big push into CES this year, growing its business by 45 percent by picking up six new clients. Approximately 500 product specialists from the firm were contracted for the event, Popson said.