The 2013 SAE World Congress and Exhibition, taking place April 16-18 at Cobo Center in Detroit, represents an unparalleled opportunity to explore new technology through both technical sessions and the Innovators Only Exhibition. This year’s Host Company is Chrysler, and ZF will serve as Tier One Strategic Supplier for the event. Last year, more than 9,000 engineers, engineering managers, auto industry executives, and government officials from 45 different countries attended the SAE World Congress (sae.org/congress).

Technical Sessions

This year’s event will help you enhance your skills and creativity as you learn from a large collection of expert engineers through a technical program that is both relevant and stimulating. You’ll have the opportunity to attend technical sessions driven by more than 1,500 technical experts on advanced propulsion, safety, and advanced materials. Session topics include:

  • Electronics
  • Emissions/Environment/Sustainability
  • Vehicle Electrification Strategies for Sustainability
  • Integrated Design and Manufacturing
  • Intelligent Transportation Systems
  • Management
  • End of Life Management
  • Materials
  • Propulsion/Powertrain
  • Advanced Hybrid Vehicle Powertrains
  • Fuel Cell Power Systems
  • Advanced Battery Technology
  • Safety/Testing
  • Smart Grid
  • EV Infrastructure

With this year’s theme of “Achieving Efficiency,” attendees will have the chance to discuss challenges and ideas during designated networking opportunities, as well as between sessions. Industry leaders will be on hand to talk about automotive technology trends. And you’ll discover new companies and technologies from OEMs, top-tier suppliers, and other industry-related companies worldwide.

The FEV Powertrain Innovation Forum, sponsored by FEV, will cover topics including systems engineering, new fuels, energy load management, and fuel efficiency. The AVL Technology Leadership Center, sponsored by AVL, will feature keynotes each day (see below) and topics such as driver distraction regulation and autonomous driving, product development efficiency, and advanced propulsion.

The Innovators Only Exhibition provides the perfect venue for engaging a qualified audience of reviewers, collaborators, and customers.

Keynotes and Special Events

Mary D. Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, will be the Opening Keynote Speaker on Tuesday, April 16 from 8:30 to 9:30 am in the AVL Technology Leadership Center. In addition to her work at the Air Board, Nichols has served as Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air and Radiation program under President Clinton, Secretary for California’s Resources Agency from 1999 to 2003, and Director of the Institute of the Environment at UCLA.

George T. White sides, CEO and President of Virgin Ga lactic, will provide the Opening Keynote Address on Wednesday, April 17 from 9:00 to 9:45 am in the AVL Technology Leadership Center. Virgin Galactic is the space flight company founded by Sir Richard Branson. In his role, Whitesides is responsible for guiding all aspects of the company to the launch of commercial operations in the United States and a proposed spaceport in Abu Dhabi. This in cludes oversight of The Spaceship Company, a manufacturing entity to produce additional space vehicles.

Robert A. Lutz, Retired Vice Chairman of General Motors, will provide the Opening Key note Address on Thursday, April 18 from 9:00 to 9:45 am in the AVL Technology Leadership Center. Lutz is President and CEO of Lutz Communication, counting among its clients General Motors. Lutz had a 47-year career in the global automotive industry that included senior leadership positions at BMW, Ford, and Chrysler.

A long-establish ed tradition each year at the SAE World Congress, the Annual Banquet is the largest gathering of automotive industry leaders from around the world. Sergio Marchionne, Chair man and CEO of Chrysler Group LLC, will deliver the keynote address at the banquet on Thurs day, April 18 at 6:00 pm in Cobo’s Riverview Ball room. He also leads the 20-person Fiat Group Executive Council (GEC), Fiat’s highest executive decision-making body apart from the Board of Directors, and serves as COO of the GEC’s NAFTA Regional Operations Group. In addition, he is Chairman of Fiat Industrial S.p.A. and CNH Global N.V.

Ride and Drive

Ride and Drive is back for 2013. Last year, 1,500 riders drove 24 vehicles, including the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. Vehicles provided by OEMs and suppliers will showcase technologies such as advanced propulsion, recent launches, and specialty vehicles. All vehicles are test-driven on a 10-minute course. Ride and Drive is open to all registered attendees.

Networking

A number of opportunities are available for attendees to network with their peers, as well as with experts in various categories. Technology-focused lounges are open to all attendees throughout the day. Located near session rooms, the lounges create an informal gathering and networking space for those with common interests. The three focused Technology Lounges are:

  • Safety and Testing
  • Powertrain, Fuels, Propulsion, Emissions, Environment, Sustainability, Management, and Marketplace
  • Electronics, Integrated Design for Manufacturing, and Materials

Daily receptions in the Exhibit Hall also ensure that attendees have ample time to visit the Innovators Only Exhibition.

One of the most popular networking opportunities is Chat With the Experts, which lets attendees meet with experts in the following areas:

  • Emissions/Environment/Sustainability
  • Integrated Design & Manufacturing
  • Powertrain/Propulsion
  • Safety/Testing

Career Fair

The SAE 2013 World Congress Career Fair will provide the opportunity for mobility industry engineers and professionals to explore available jobs, network, and meet with professional recruiters and representatives from OEMs and suppliers. The Career Fair will take place from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 16 and 17.

A Career Development Session on Wednesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm focuses on “CareerWise for Engineering Professionals: Transforming Your Talents into the New World of Work.” Presented by Caryn L. Mateer and Kathleen Riley, the session will cover how new technologies, globalization, and the worldwide competition for jobs demand that professionals continue to grow their skills and knowledge throughout life. The session will provide tools to help you meet this demand as an engineering professional. Participants will create a personal mission statement and set career goals, identify the best way to research new opportunities, and build their network while also crafting a personal brand with consistent messaging.

Caryn L. Mateer, MA, CPC, SPHR, is Senior Partner with Transformational Leaders, Intl., and has over 20 years of experience in leadership and supervision. She has worked as an Organizational Development Officer for a non-profit financial services organization where she provided oversight to the human resources, education and learning, communications, information technology, process management, and operations departments.

Kathleen Riley, BA, ACCP, DEH, WHEE, is the Senior Partner and Founder of Transformational Leaders, Intl. Previously, she worked in publishing where she created and developed a personal growth magazine for Hearst Magazine Enterprises. Since 2001, she has coached hundreds of people to reach their highest potential in the areas of wellness, leadership, and career. She currently leads a team of transformational coaches specializing in executive leadership, career development, and wellness coaching programs.

Attendance to the Career Fair activities is free for engineering professionals.

Get up-to-the-minute information on technical sessions and special events at sae.org/congress.