SAE 2002 World Congress Preliminary Attendance Numbers Up Over 2001

DETROIT, Feb. 28 -- SAE 2002 World Congress Preliminary Attendance Numbers Up Over 2001:

WHAT: SAE 2002 World Congress WHERE: Cobo Center, Detroit Michigan WHEN: Monday, March 4 through Thursday, March 7, 2002 Technical Sessions: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exhibit Open: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (open until 7 p.m. Tuesday)

KEY POINTS:

SAE World Congress pre-registration totals are tracking favorably to last year's numbers. Pre-registration figures usually make up approximately half the final attendance number, says Dave Amati, SAE Director of Professional Meetings and Activities Group. ``We're pleased that we've been able to track favorably with last year's totals so far. We've gotten strong support from this year's host company Ford Motor Company, as well as the other OEMs. That should translate into a high quality crowd for the exhibitors, and strong on- site registration.''

Areas showing significant increases include exhibit pass registration, media, and SAE members. SAE received commitments from Ford Motor Company and General Motors to increase the attendance of their engineering staffs and management at the World Congress over last year's totals. A January visit from SAE staff to the DaimlerChrysler Technical Center resulted in a large number of exhibit VIP pass registrations.

The only pre-registration area showing a decline at this point is booth personnel. Amati says the downturn in the numbers of exhibit booth personnel was expected. ``Although we have 200 new exhibitors at this year's show, we know the average booth size is smaller and companies are leaner in their marketing activities. They're leaner in everything they do. Our exhibitors want to see the floor full of customers, not just other exhibitors, so that's a good thing.''

The week of SAE World Congress provides a significant economic boost to the city of Detroit. Direct spending accounts for nearly $25 million, and visitor totals from outside North America rose to over 20% of total attendance last year. Typically, these visitors are high-level managers who spend more money in the city's hotels, taxis and restaurants than their local counterparts do. Likewise, registered media from non-North American countries has risen to 25% of the total, a significant shift from previous years.

There is one variable that is hard to control. ``With the promotional efforts we've created with our SAE Detroit Section membership, the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, the region, and the commitments we've gotten from the OEMs, the only break we need to produce a very strong turnout is some good weather during Congress week. So far it's looking good on that front too,'' says Amati.