SAE Encouraged by 2001 World Congress First Day Crowds

    DETROIT, March 6 The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE
International) World Congress faced its biggest challenge in years when some
of the largest exhibitors pulled out of the world's leading technology
showcase.  Much was made of the key defections in the months leading up to the
event, and what affect it would have on attendance.  Even veteran SAE
personnel weren't sure what to expect, so they took proactive steps to enhance
their usual global promotional efforts.
    Judging from the traffic on the floor of Cobo Hall Monday, SAE World
Congress 2001 is alive and well.  SAE Group Director David Amati was pleased
by the first day turnout.  "Monday is always a very important day for the SAE
World Congress.  Although we won't have the official numbers until after the
show, the signs are very encouraging."  Amati added, "I'm very pleased with
the crowd we had today.  It's tracking very closely to the attendance we had
in 1999 and 2000, and those were two of our best years ever."
    In spite of some top tier exhibitor cancellations and an uncertain
economy, SAE had reason to be optimistic before this 2001 event.  "We had
been watching the pre-registration numbers, and last week all of the
categories besides registered exhibitor personnel were ahead of last year's
totals," said Amati.  Although the exhibit floor is once again a sellout, the
1,300 companies present this year are sending smaller booth staffs to SAE
World Congress 2001.  Another positive sign is a non-North American exhibitor
attendance figure that should exceed 20 percent of the total.
    "We're a global organization, serving a global industry, so it's been
great to see the consecutive years of growth in attendance from outside North
America.  The Internet is a wonderful way to reach the global mobility
community, but when they come to SAE Congress 2001 in Detroit, they see where
the center of the global automotive technology comes together.