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SAE World Congress `Gears Up' for 2001

16 November 2000

SAE World Congress `Gears Up' for 2001

    WARRENDALE, Pa., Nov. 16 Since 1912, the SAE World
Congress and Exhibition has established itself as a valued event for the
automotive community.  "The show is dynamic," stated Dave Amati, SAE Group
Director, "and this has been the key to its continued success.  It has evolved
into an ideal forum for learning, networking, and the exchange of technical
and product information among automotive professionals internationally.  We're
looking forward to 2001."
    The theme for the 2001 SAE World Congress is "Succeeding in the Alliance
Game" and will be held March 5-8 at Cobo Center in Detroit, MI.  Attendance at
the 2000 SAE World Congress reached 49,249, a number that SAE hopes to surpass
this coming year.  In fact, SAE is looking for the 2001 World Congress to grow
in many areas.
    A record number, over 1200, of technical presentations are scheduled to be
given at the 2001 SAE World Congress.  These technical sessions are slated to
share perspectives from all parts of the world on timely topics ranging from
historical data to the latest in vehicle technology.  The sessions are focused
on addressing many of the "hot topics" in the automotive industry including:
Driver Distraction, Safety, Fuel Technologies, Emission Control, 42-Volt
Systems, Embedded Software, and Advanced Hybrid Vehicle Powertrain, to name a
few.
    "We have made some exciting additions to the upcoming program and we are
working hard to present a quality show that will attract participation from
all levels of automotive professionals.  Many of these changes are a direct
result of the companies who participate in the exhibition.  They gave us their
opinion, and we listened," stated Amati.
    Over 100 companies are already slated to make their exhibiting debut at
the 2001 SAE World Congress.  Overall, 1200 companies will be participating in
the exhibition, which has been booked solid each year for the past decade.
"The only area of the SAE World Congress that can't grow is the size of the
exhibition because it is confined by the walls of Cobo Center," Amati said,
"but the dynamic nature of the SAE World Congress will be visible with all of
the new technology products and services."
    Space for many of the new exhibits was made possible by the unforeseen
cancellation by several large companies earlier this month.  Sam Barill, SAE
Exhibits Manager, stated, "We typically expect there to be turnover from year
to year and particularly in November, when the final billing is mailed to the
exhibitors.  Changes in the exhibit patterns of companies are often a
reflection of changes in the automotive industry and individual marketing
strategies.  The good news is that, although these companies will not be
exhibiting, we anticipate their participation in the 2001 SAE World Congress
in other ways and we hope they will return to the exhibit floor at a future
event."
    Fred Nader, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, New Tech Brake
Inc., stated, "The Exposition at the SAE World Congress presents a broad venue
for the vast majority of suppliers as a technology-based show.  It brings new
technology into the epicenter of the automotive community," Nader added.  "New
Tech Brake has greatly benefited from participating in SAE World Congress
activities and we are destined to be there for well into the unforeseen
future."
    Many returning companies are happy with their role in the exhibit and with
the results that the SAE World Congress has produced for them.  "Congress is a
wonderful marketing opportunity for us," stated Steve Cohoon, Vice President,
Vehicle Dynamics Division, MTS Systems Corp.  "We not only enjoy attending the
SAE World Congress, but it has proven to be good for our business.  It will
likely be part of our marketing plan for years to come."
    A specific segment of the 2001 SAE World Congress to be expanding is the
Automotive Computer Technology Showcase, which will feature computer and
electronic products and services from companies such as Microsoft,
FreeMarkets, and Covisint.
    Another area of the show expected to grow is the international attendance.
Approximately 17 percent of the World Congress attendees are from other
continents, primarily Europe and Asia.  "The international presence has been
increasing sharply over the past several years," said Amati.  "As all signs
point to a record international attendance in 2001, we are pleased with the
notion that Congress is truly becoming an international venue."