Presented By Frost Brown Todd LLC The Pinnacle At Symphony Place 150 3rd Avenue South, 19th Floor Nashville, TN 37201
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
7 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Exhibit Hall Open Registration Open
7 - 8 a.m.: Exhibit Hall Networking Breakfast
Grab some breakfast and stroll through the biggest SAC exhibit hall to date, featuring the latest models from the region's OEMs, along with the most advanced products and services.
8:15 - 8:45 a.m.: Welcome to the SAC
The presidents of the automotive manufacturing associations of Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia and South Carolina will deliver a snapshot of what's going on in their state's automotive sector. PANELISTS: Rick Youngblood, Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association Ron Davis, Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association Rick Walker, Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association Catherine Hayes, South Carolina Automotive Council David Boyer, Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association
8:45 - 10 a.m.: Fueling the workforce of tomorrow
A look at current efforts to boost STEM education in the Southeast, and how these programs will prepare the future automotive workforce. PANELISTS: Dr. Jim Mahoney, Battelle for Kids Dr. Sally Pardue, Tennessee Tech University Billy Canary, Business Council of Alabama Emily Lauder, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama Heather Justice, State of Tennessee, Dept. of Education
10 - 11 a.m.: Delivering the NextGen car: OEM Panel
Design, engineering, marketing and business experts from Southern OEMs discuss the most exciting practices and innovations happening at car companies today. PANELISTS: Randy Jackson, Kia Jason Hoff, Mercedes-Benz Jeff Tomko, Honda Jackie Birdsall, Toyota Lindsay Chappell, Automotive News (moderator)
11 - 11:15 a.m.: Exhibit Hall Break
11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Innovation Track: The race to 54.5 CAFE standards have set fuel efficiency goals for automakers at 54.5 mpg. In this panel, the best and brightest minds in the South will talk about how lightweighting vehicles will help boost fuel economy and build better cars. PANELISTS: Dr. Bharat Balasumbramanian, Univ. of Alabama Paul Schurter, ArcelorMittal Dr. Douglas Adams, Vanderbilt University Larry Brown, LIFT Doug Richman, Aluminum Transportation Group Clark Spoden, Burr Forman (moderator)
Collaboration Track: Cutting-edge collaborations for modern manufacturing Panelists will discuss real-world examples of collaborations that might have seemed counter-intuitive at first, but yielded novel solutions to industry challenges. PANELISTS: Renee Stephens, J.D. Power Ken Rohrer, Omron Claus Daniel, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Tanya Bolden, AIAG Gordon Heidacker, KPMG (moderator) Workforce Track: Paving the road to automotive careers This panel will bring together school superintendents, educators within the auto industry and students who have successfully completed workforce programs. This panel will also include ECD experts who will explain how they are cultivating a robust automotive workforce and creating positive change in communities. PANELISTS: Mark Griffith, Marion County (TN) Schools Troy Kilzer, Chester County (TN) Schools Joe Hendrix, Wallace State (AL) Community College Kevin Smith, Nissan North America Mavon Copeland, Nissan North America Lynda Hill, Frost Brown Todd (moderator)
12:45 - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch Keynote - Jay Rogers, Local Motors
1:30 - 2 p.m.: Exhibit Hall Break
2 - 3:15 p.m.: BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Innovation Track: Spotlight on Southern Centers of Innovation Experts from renowned Southern research centers discuss the most interesting discoveries happening at their universities, labs, centers and other organizations. PANELISTS: Suzanne Dickerson, CU-ICAR Lonnie Love, Oak Ridge National Laboratory John Evans, Auburn University Zach Rowland, Mississippi State University CAVS Mike Stonecipher, Georgia Tech Greg DeGrazia, Warner Norcross & Judd (moderator)
Collaboration Track: Accelerating the workforce through higher education Universities and industry have formed novel partnerships to educate the modern automotive workforce. Panelists will discuss their efforts to train the workforce and work with the evolving needs of carmakers. PANELISTS: Jennifer Hagan-Dier, University of Tennessee CIS Dan McCowan, Nissan North America Jason Bates, Toyota Jack Laser, Jackson State Community College Jason Hoff, Mercedes-Benz
Workforce Track: Manufacturing in 2025: Methods for the future The auto industry is changing -- how will carmakers and suppliers have to change to be successful 10 years from now? PANELISTS: John Chalifoux, Motor & EquipmentRemanufacturers Association Greg Gibb, Nissan North America Dan Fox, Gestamp Joe Conner, Baker Donelson (moderator)
3:15 - 3:30 p.m.: Exhibit Hall Break
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.: Stars of Southern Manufacturing Award
Presentation of our first annual Excellence in Southern Manufacturing Award, along with quick, introductory videos that highlight the recipients’ hard work.
5:30 - 8 p.m.: Opening Night Reception
Presented By Nissan Wildhorse Saloon 120 2nd Avenue North Nashville, TN 37201
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
7 a.m. - Noon: Exhibit Hall Open Registration Open
7 - 8 a.m.: Networking Breakfast
8:30 - 9 a.m.: U.S. Department of Energy Update Patrick Thomas, U.S. Department of Energy Loans Programs Office - Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program
9 - 9:30 a.m.: State of the Industry Jay Williams, U.S. Department of Commerce for the EDA
9:30 - 10 a.m.: Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam
10 - 10:30 a.m.: Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant
10:30 - 11 a.m.: SAC Closing Session
Follow the SAC
The Southern Automotive Conference is presented jointly each year by the automotive manufacturing associations of Alabama (AAMA), Tennessee (TAMA) and Mississippi (MAMA). The automotive manufacturing associations of Georgia (GAMA) and South Carolina (SCAC) are assisting with the development of the 2015 agenda.
