SAE Government/Industry Meeting Brings Engineers to The WAS

SAE Government/Industry Meeting Brings Engineers to The WAS

Last May, it was announced that the 2009 SAE Government/Industry Meeting would co-locate with the 2009 Washington Auto Show. David L. Schutt, Ph.D; SAE International′s executive vice president and chief operating officer, explained at the time that, “These two world-class events clearly complement each other and naturally belong together. The topics of safety, energy and environment discussed at SAE′s Government/Industry Meeting will be amplified and the impact of these scientific discussions will be broadened not only for mobility professionals, but also for the general public wrestling with increased fuel prices and heightened concern for the natural world we live in.

After two days of ongoing, high-level discussions at the 2009 WAS on future automotive technology, energy, and government/industry cooperation, Dr. Schutt could not have been more right. SAE opened its meeting with a plenary session on WAS Public Policy Day that was themed Roadmap for the 44th President and the 111th Congress.

Panelists assembled for the session included such diverse voices as (from the left): Greg Cohen, president, Highway Users Federation; John M. DiCicco, Ph.D; senior fellow for Automotive Strategies, Environmental Defense Fund; Adrian K. Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; Robert E. McKenna of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA); John McEleney chairman of NADA; Michael J. Stanton, president and CEO, of the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM); and moderator Allen Schaeffer, executive director, Diesel Technology Forum.

This distinguished panel offered their technical expertise, in-depth knowledge and perspective on needed technologies, vehicle and highway safety, government relations and public policies affecting manufacturers, dealers and suppliers. Highly technical sessions on these areas were held during the four-day meeting.

We are delighted to share the Washington stage with SAE and its state-of-the-art technology forum,” said WAS Producer Gerard Murphy. It′s not enough for an auto show in Washington to showcase the latest vehicle innovations, but also the extensive array of advanced automotive technology which is impacted by the U.S. public policy process.