2005 North American International Auto Show

Industry Preview Days to Feature Diverse Forums Attracting Wide Range of Industry Professionals

Events to Include Automotive Symposium with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Leading OEM Executives

DETROIT, Jan. 12 -- The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will kick-off its Industry Preview Days, Jan. 12 and Jan. 13, with a series of automotive industry-focused forums, including a symposium with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and leading auto manufacturer executives.

"2020 - Future Visions of Tomorrow's Automobile" will be hosted by Industry Preview Days co-sponsor, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Wednesday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. The panel discussion will focus on emerging technologies in areas such as power trains, hybrid vehicles, styling, design and telematics, and their potential impact on the future of the automotive industry. The symposium will take place on the NAIAS Stage, located in Michigan Hall on the lower level of COBO Center, prior to the show floor opening. Industry Preview Day tickets are required to attend.

"The broad range of events at the North American International Auto Show's 2005 Industry Preview Days reflect our goal to create a series of forums that appeal to the diverse interests and professions of our attendees," said Bill Cook, senior co-chairman for the NAIAS 2005. "From marketing to engineering to product sales, virtually every aspect of our industry is represented by these enthusiastic visitors during this unique time at our show."

The 12th annual AutoWeek Design Forum will also be held Jan. 12, from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event, themed "A Car's Life: Designed to Entertain," will bring top international designers, practicing professionals and students together for a look at design as the auto industry's ultimate differentiating factor. The forum will take place in the Riverview Ballroom inside COBO Center, and requires registration to attend. Those interested can contact Shauna Vercher-Morrow at (313) 446-0485 or via e-mail at svercher-morrow@crain.com. Information is also available at http://www.autoweek.com/.

Rounding out the Industry Preview events will be the Fourth annual Newspaper Association of America Automotive Advertising Symposium, co-sponsored by the Detroit Chapter of the National Advertising Sales Association. The event will target professionals from the newspaper advertising industry, as well as advertising and marketing executives. The symposium will take place inside COBO Center, from 9 a.m. from 9 p.m. For more information, contact Jake Kelderman at (703) 902-1649 or at keldj@naa.org.

Industry Preview Days are Wednesday, Jan. 12, from noon to 9 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 13 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with no admittance after 8 p.m. on either day. Tickets are $60 and can be ordered by calling NAIAS at 248-283-5169 or by visiting the NAIAS Web site at http://www.naias.com/ .

Industry Preview Days are an exclusive opportunity for companies in the automotive industry to invite key contacts, suppliers and employees to preview the NAIAS before the show opens to the public. Nearly 30,000 employees from 2,000 companies and 20 countries attended the NAIAS during Industry Preview Days in 2004.

Shuttle service will be available from selected locations throughout the surrounding metro area. For times and locations, or for more information, please visit http://www.naias.com/.

NAIAS 2005 Official Dates

Press Preview Days were held Sunday, Jan. 9, through Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2005. Industry Preview Days will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 12 and Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005. The Charity Preview will be held Friday evening, Jan. 14, 2005. Public Days are Saturday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005.

About the North American International Auto Show

Entering its 17th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, and is one of the largest media events in North America. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn the distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the world. The NAIAS Web site can be accessed at http://www.naias.com/.