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Registration is now open for the 2010 Ward's Auto Interiors Conference, to be held Wednesday, May 19 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Dearborn, MI.

This year's theme is "Envision - Engineer - Execute" to symbolize the steps a vehicle interior goes through from concept to reality.

Topics will include the latest in electronics, telematics, materials, safety and other key interior systems, as well as the business of designing and manufacturing an effective interior.


ATTENDEES: Click HERE to register now.

SPONSORS/EXHIBITORS: Click HERE to request sponsorship information and get great exposure as a major player in the world of vehicle interiors.


JUST-ANNOUNCED SPEAKERS:
(all details subject to change)

  • J Mays, Group Vice President of Design and Chief Creative Officer, Ford Motor Company

  • Crystal Windham, Director of North American Passenger Car Design, General Motors Company







  • AkzoNobel/Soliant
    JSP
    PolyOne
    RCO
    SAS Automotive

  • Julien Montousse, Interior Design Manager, Mazda Design Americas

  • Dan Vivian, Director, Engineering Design, Hyundai America Technical Center

  • Chris , Engineering Design, Hyundai America Technical Center

  • Robert Schumacher, General Director, Advanced Product & Business Development, Delphi Automotive LLP

  • Michael Tschirhart, Advanced HMI Manager, Visteon Corporation

  • (More speakers will be announced soon... keep checking autointeriors.com for more details!)




    AGENDA:
    (all details subject to change)

    7:30 to 8:15 am- Continental Breakfast and Networking

    8:30 to 9:45 am - Breakout Sessions (Attend 1 of 3 Panels)
    Panel 1:
    Trends in Telematics and Navigation Systems

    Features, systems and capabilities are evolving rapidly. This session will analyze the latest trends in interactive and display technologies.

    Panel 2:
    The Environmentally Friendly Interior: The Design Perspective

    Panelists will discuss not only how interiors are becoming more environmentally friendly, but how they are being designed to look the part and reinforce the brand in the process.

    Panel 3:
    Consumer Wants and Needs

    The economic crisis and worries about fuel prices are reshaping how consumers view personal transportation. Panelists will explain, from the interiors perspective, how the wants and needs of car and truck buyers are being re-prioritized.

    10:00 to 10:45 am

    Keynote Speaker:


    J Mays
    Group Vice President, Design
    and Chief Creative Officer
    Ford Motor Company




    11:00 am to 12:15 pm - Breakout Sessions (Attend 1 of 3 Panels)

    Panel 4:
    Responsible Connectivity: HMI/Instrumentation/Voice Recognition

    The human-machine interface has made big strides in the past year with the debut of more intuitive, user-friendly technologies. But the industry continues to struggle with ways to let drivers safely access phones, email and the Internet without being distracted behind the wheel.

    Panel 5:
    The Science of Interior Aesthetics

    Auto makers are creating metrics and technology that enable designers and engineers to quantify optimal visual and tactile aspects of cockpits as well as other highly subjective parameters. Panelists will discuss how these new technologies and methods enable better communication with suppliers and are used to create interiors that look, sound and feel better than ever.

    Panel 6:
    Luxury’s New Aesthetic: Designing the Premium Interior

    Notoriously fickle affluent consumers demand a lot from their luxury vehicles. Panelists discuss how auto makers can continue raising the bar in interior luxury to satisfy the industry’s most demanding customers.

    12:30 to 1:00 pm - Lunch

    1:00 to 1:45 pm - Ward's Auto Interior of the Year Awards

    1:45 to 3:15 pm - OEM Panel Discussion

    3:30 to 4:45 pm - Breakout Sessions (Attend 1 of 3 Panels)

    Panel 7:
    What Makes a Family-Friendly Interior?

    The interior plays an especially decisive role in the purchase decision for a family vehicle. Clever use of interior space and durable materials usually take precedent over sexy exterior sheet metal. Panelists will discuss the latest interior features, options and materials that will convince cash-strapped consumers to buy a new family car or truck.

    Panel 8:
    The Environmentally Friendly Interior: The Technical Perspective

    Suppliers and OEMs are constantly experimenting with new designs, materials and production methods that are better for the environment, yet have a low impact on cost. Hear the latest advances that promote both sustainability and affordability.

    Panel 9:
    Color Trends for a Brave New World

    Hear how consumer tastes and sensibilities toward interior colors are changing and how designers are using color to redefine interiors and reinforce brand image.

    4:45 to 5:15 pm - Ward's Auto Interiors Student Design Awards

    5:15 to 6:00 pm - Networking Reception




    Check this page frequently so you don't miss the latest updates as they're posted, and until then, find details on our 2009 conference below for insights on what to expect this year!





    Ward's thanks everyone who participated in the 2009 Ward's Auto Interiors Conference for making it a huge success.

    Hundreds of top executives and designers in the auto industry converged on the Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, MI May 21, 2009 to look into the future of automotive interiors. For more details on the event, read our full coverage HERE, and check out the presentation links under each presenter's name (not all presentations available due to restrictions on public use).

    Here's who participated in the 2009 Ward's Auto Interiors Conference...


    2009 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS WERE:

  • Stefan Sielaff, Head of Design, Audi AG

  • Dave Lyon, Executive Director of Interior Design - North America, General Motors

  • 2009 PANELISTS WERE:

  • Klaus Busse, Director-Advanced Interior Design Studio, Chrysler LLC
  • Gary Braddock, Interior Chief Designer, Ford Motor Co.
  • Jim Buczkowski, Director - Electrical/Electronic Systems Engineering, Ford Motor Co. DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (part 1)
    DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION (part 2)
  • Moray Callum, Executive Director of Design for the Americas, Ford Motor Co.
  • Cynthia Flanigan, Technical Expert, Ford Motor Co.
    DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Tim Greig, Chevy Volt Interior Design Manager, General Motors
  • Benjamin Jimenez, Project Chief Designer, Calty Design Research Inc., Toyota Design Network
  • Teresa Spafford, Lead Designer - Color & Materials, Mazda Design Americas
  • Dan Vivian, Director - Design Engineering, Hyundai America Technical Center
  • Marios Zenios, Vice President - Connectivity and Infotainment, Chrysler LLC
  • Rich Ansell, Director of Marketing, Visteon Corp.
  • Lee Childers, Vice President-Materials Engineering, International Automotive Components DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Mike Chupa, Chief Executive Officer, CRH North America Inc.
  • Jeff Corkins, Chief Engineer - Research & Development, Magna Seating (a unit of Magna International)
  • Brian Droessler, Director - Strategy and Portfolio, Infotainment and Connectivity, Continental Automotive DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Ash Galbreath, Director - Advanced Materials and Comfort Engineering, Lear Corp.
  • Tom Gould - Director of Industrial Design - Seating, Johnson Controls
  • Will Harney, Executive Director - Research & Development, Decoma International (a unit of Magna International)
  • Rob Huber, Vice President-Marketing and Design, Faurecia North America
  • Mara Ignatius, Manager - Color and Trim, Lear Corp.
  • Paul Kirsch, Vice President, Hughes Telematics
    DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Phil Magney, Vice President-Automotive Research Practice, iSuppli Corp.
  • Michael Martens, Product Marketing Manager, OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, Inc. DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Gail Miciuda, Director-Advanced Engineering, International Automotive Components DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Robert H. Miller, Business Development Manager, 3M Automotive
  • Tom Miller, General Manager - Interior / Exterior Technical, Toyoda Gosei North America
  • Pat Oldenkamp, Vice President-Design and Marketing, Eagle Ottawa
    DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Sherry Sabbagh - Principal Materials Designer, Johnson Controls
  • Paul Spevetz, Technical Marketing Manager - Auto Interiors, Ticona DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Patrick Stewart, Chief Engineer - Interior Systems Inteva Products LLC
    DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Steve Widdett, Executive Vice President, Automotive OE Sales, NAFTA Region, Hella DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
  • Richard Vaughan, Manager - Design Office, Visteon
  • Bert Wolfram, vice president - Automotive Interior Division, Continental






  • If you have any questions on the event, please contact Chris Lamphear at 248-799-2658 or clamphear@wardsauto.com

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