This year’s Dayton Auto Show promises to be the biggest in its history.

For the first time, sold spaces have expanded beyond the hall and into the lobby. This is largely due to “pent-up demand” as a result of the recession, said Dan Zinni, controller for the Dayton Area Auto Dealers Association, which puts on the show.

Craig Voss, center operator for Voss Village BMW, said he has seen increased traffic around his dealership, a welcome respite from an ugly economic period that saw car sales drop in every category, from economy cars to luxury items.

Going into the auto show, two factors seem to be receiving an increased amount of attention: fuel economy and green technology.

Zinni anticipates there will all kinds of customer types at the show. “The Camaros and Corvettes are still big draws,” he said. “Buick has a very good-looking line, (countering) the stereotype that you have to be 65 years old to drive one.”

In the meantime, those who’ve attended the show in the past will notice some familiar side events. Again, a few lucky winners will receive one year’s worth of gasoline credits, whoever makes the closest guess to the number of balls filling up one of the cars will receive a 46-inch Samsung TV and Dora the Explorer will be on hand for a few hours Saturday to entertain the kids.

“It really is the best place to shop for a car,” Zinni said. “Instead of driving all over town, you can just cross the aisle. Dealers aren’t allowed to sell at these shows, so there’s no pressure to buy. People come in with their pads and paper and get all the details they want. I don’t blame them; it’s the way I’d do it.”