Public Policy Days shaping up for industry reps and media at 2015 Washington Auto Show
First Public Policy Day on Capitol Hill: Wed., Jan.21
Industry leaders and the media will find a range of unprecedented activities during Public Policy Days at the 2015 Washington Auto Show and, with any luck, better weather than last year.
Made Across America: The schedule kicks off at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, with a Made Across America press event. Based on the theme How America Works, this program will celebrate the jobs and resources created by the auto industry in the U.S. and the communities that benefit. A wide array of cars will be lined up to show the health and vibrancy of the auto industry. Location on Capitol Hill to be determined.
CARtalks: Later that afternoon, several renowned industry speakers will give TED-type talks, dubbed CARtalks. Each speaker will offer very short, rapid key points about a salient industry topic.
We are entering a fascinating period in which autonomous driving, the connected car and new modes of alternative-fuel transportation are advancing at a rapid pace, said Kevin Reilly, chairman of the Washington Auto Show. This event will give industry thought leaders and policy makers a chance to hear some compelling points of view.
Here is the lineup of topics and speakers:
Facts and Fiction: The Future of Autonomous Driving and What It Really Means.
Peter Sweatman, director of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
Buying the Future: The Dynamic Friction Between Public Policy on Fuel Economy and Consumer Desire.
Sharon Silke Carty, Editor-in-Chief of AOL Autos-Autoblog-Autobloggreen.
Rethinking Highway Policy for the Modern Age: Why Technology and Pricing are Essential to Achieving a 21st Century System.
Kevin DeGood, Director of Infrastructure Policy at the Center for American Progress.
Why Canêt We Gas Up and Go? Understanding Why We Arenêt Driving More Vehicles Powered by Natural Gas.
Kathryn Clay, Vice President, Director of Policy Strategy at the American Gas Association.
Is Vehicle as a Rolling Smartphone Really for the Best? In the Connected World, Whatês a Driver to Do?
Kristin Colodge, Executive Director of Driver Interaction and Human Machine Interface at J.D. Power and Associates.
This Vehicle Matters: Why the Historic Vehicle Register was Created with the Library of Congress.
Mark Gessler, President of the Historic Association.
The CARtalks and reception will take place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building, 44 Independence Ave., SW.
Second Public Policy Day on the floor of the Auto Show: Thurs,. Jan.22
Industry keynote/Johan de Nysschen: The second Public Policy/Media Day, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, offers one of the best lineups of press events the Auto Show has presented. Johan de Nysschen will start the dayês events with his industry keynote address at the Washington Automotive Press Association/International Motor Press Association Newsmaker Breakfast. As president of luxury brand Cadillac, de Nysschen exemplifies a key thrust of the 2015 show: The resurgence of the auto industry.
As the public policy show on the global auto show circuit, the Washington Auto Show is proud to present the innovative thinking and can-do spirit that has brought such progress to this critical sector of the American economy, said Auto Show Chairman Reilly.
Another highlight of the day will be an announcement by the Center for Automotive Research of a major study of jobs in the auto industry, commissioned by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.
The U.S. keynote speaker (to be announced shortly) will speak after lunch. Last yearês government keynoter was Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
Historic Vehicle Association Reveal: As reported in the New York Times, General Motors will bring a 1940 Futurliner, to be included in the National Historic Vehicle Register of the Historic Vehicle Association. (Last year at the Auto Show, the Shelby Mustang became the first car to be added to the Historic Vehicle Register.) Several Futurliners were built for the Parade of Progress, with displays that showed jet engine technology and traffic solutions. Mark Gessler, president of the association, said it took more than 24 volunteers five years to complete the vehicleês restoration, according to the Times.
SAE Annual Government/Industry Conference: This will take place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at 3:00 p.m. A panel of industry and government experts will discuss the theme Future Vehicles: Integrating Safety, Environment and Technology. All WANADA dealers and Kindred member representatives cordially invited to hear from the experts.
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