World Forum for Motor Museums Comes to Detroit

DETROIT, Oct. 5, 2005 -- MotorCities National Heritage Area will host the 2005 World Forum for Motor Museums October 9-14 in Detroit where automotive museum curators from more than a dozen countries and across the United States will converge. Themed "Motor Museums Today: Preserving the Past and Adapting to a Changing World," attendees will hear speakers from around the world, tour Big Three and local heritage venues, and participate in discussions on the international auto enthusiast environment.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase Detroit and our rich automotive history," said Mark Pischea, executive director of MotorCities National Heritage Area and host of the event. "There are dozens of area automotive sites that represent the evolution of the auto industry -- from its conception to its present state and beyond -- that we are excited to show to auto heritage enthusiasts from around the world."

Delegates will visit numerous auto-related sites such as the Henry Ford and Ford Rouge Factory Tour, the Ford Piquette and Highland Park Plants, GM Heritage Center and Tech Center, and the Walter P. Chrysler Museum and the DaimlerChrysler Design Center. Participants will also attend the 2005 Automotive Hall of Fame Reception on October 11 inducting race car champion Mario Andretti, former GM Chairman, Jack Smith, and others who have significantly impacted the automotive industry.

The conference will conclude on October 13 with the first-ever "Detroit Auto Pioneers Dinner," honoring the descendents of early auto pioneers and offering delegates an opportunity to interact with descendents of the most influential families of Detroit. Descendents of Hugh Chalmers, Roy D. Chapin, Walter P. Chrysler, Horace E. Dodge, William C. Durant, Harley Earl, Alfred J. Fisher, Howard A. Fisher, Henry Ford, Albert Kahn, K.T. Keller, Ransom E. Olds, Walter Reuther, William B. Stout, among others will be present.

The conference will be headquartered at the Detroit Marriott in the Renaissance Center, which is also headquarters to General Motors and MotorCities National Heritage Area. Detroit joins the growing roster of locations for the biennial conference; past years hosts have included Paris, France, Adelaide, Australia, Stuttgart, Germany, and Beaulieu, England. For more information visit: http://www.experienceeverythingautomotive.org/ .