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“Engines of Change: Get Used to Higher RPMs or Stall Out”
co-sponsored by:

GAC 2002 : April 15-17, 2002 More Info Coming Soon...

Background

The Global Automotive Conference (GAC) is administered by the Office of Global Business & Entrepreneurship of Western Kentucky University and San Diego State University CIBER. The conference was created to provide a unique opportunity for middle management of automotive assemblers, suppliers, and service providers to network and learn key skills and emerging strategies of the future. Now in its second year, the conference serves as a venue where middle managers interact with practitioners and discuss emerging trends that will bring forth dynamic changes to the industry. 

There is a wide variety of automotive conferences targeted at top-level management. However, there is a growing need for a well-rounded annual conference for middle managers in the automotive industry. Middle managers are the future leaders of this changing industry. In this era of rapid consolidations, technological innovation, and changing markets, knowledge is a source of competitive advantage. GAC will give middle managers an opportunity to receive first hand knowledge from innovative and successful industry leaders.
 

Engines of Change

The “Engines of Change” for GAC 2001 will be "e-commerce" and its momentum in the automotive industry. E-commerce is a reality in almost every industry. The automotive industry is no exception. Recent development of e-platforms in the auto world like Covisint, AutoExchange, and FreeMarkets.com present new challenges and opportunities for assemblers, suppliers and service providers. Executives of both assemblers and suppliers are facing the rapid transformation of their companies, or parts of their companies into e-businesses. The challenges are two-fold: 

•  understanding what changes are required for their organization and
• grasping the impact of e-commerce changes on their businesses.

 

• The effect e-commerce will have on the relationship between OEM’s and suppliers
• How suppliers can use e-commerce to achieve an advantage
• The role e-commerce will play in global market and workforce development
• Emerging “e-technologies”

At GAC 2001 you will have the opportunity to:

• attend all presentations and receptions
• learn critical and innovative global e-business strategies and practices
• participate in an interactive simulation
• address questions to particular speakers
• access case studies and papers
• meet and network with industry leaders, managers and economic developers from participating organizations
• showcase your organization and product through exhibits
• tour General Motors Corvette plant and museum

U.S. Department of Commerce "E-commerce Outreach Program"

E-commerce will be a valuable tool for the future for many members of the automotive industry. Will your company be along for the ride or will you be left in the dust? To assist members of the U.S. automotive industry in understanding e-commerce developments within the industry, the U.S. Department of Commerce established a program which will provide a forum in which both suppliers and vehicle assemblers can come together in a relaxed atmosphere to explore the opportunities and challenges that e-commerce may offer to their business strategies. A U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Specialist from the Office of Automotive Affairs will be discussing the Department of Commerce "E-commerce Outreach Program" at the conference and will be seeking your suggestions on topics for inclusion in the program.

The GAC 2001 audience will range from corporate managers to academicians. Professionals representing the following groups will attend:

• Plant managers
• Sales and Marketing
• IT and IS Personnel
• Research and Development Teams
• University Faculty and Students
• Human Resource Personnel
• Consulting Service Providers
• Enterprise Resource Planners
• Executive Officers
• Quality Managers
• Economic Developers
• State and Federal Government Personnel