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Event Details

Event

When:

Tuesday | 08:00AM - 12:00PM

Title:

Profitable Personalization

Where:

Governors Hall - C & D - Acme, MI

Category:

Seminar

Event Description

Profitable Personalization

Profitable personalization and collaborating for customization present an opportunity for growth and survival in today’s ever-changing automotive climate. Leading vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and specialty equipment aftermarket companies are capitalizing on emerging trends and fragmenting market segments by developing new capabilities focused on four key methodologies: designing for customization, engineering for accessorization, marketing for personalization, and collaborating for growth. As mass production and mass markets give way to increased vehicle personalization and customization, OEMs are looking for products, processes and partners to help them design, engineer and market the most accessory-friendly vehicles for multiple lifestyles and niche markets, and still make a profit. The future of the OEM-Aftermarket collaboration is all about delivering full integrated customization while significantly reducing capital investments for tooling and time to profit. However, it takes a new manufacturing and marketing mindset to make this process work. CAR, in a collaborative effort with SEMA, is offering this session on this changing mindset. Early collaboration between OEMs and aftermarket suppliers can make the difference between built-in profits and reverse-engineered costs. OEMs make cool products, aftermarket companies make products cool.

Representatives from OEMs, suppliers and aftermarket companies will describe how their organizations are leveraging competitive capabilities and working with complementary partners to deliver profitable personalization. The panel discussion will provide details of what is becoming known as the, “SEMA Model” to help automotive companies capitalize on emerging lifestyle trends and aftermarket revenue streams. Auto companies, as well as leading dealers embracing this new model, are expanding and moving forward with new-found opportunities for increasing vehicle and product sales--through specialty parts, installers and restylers. OEM-aftermarket collaboration is supplying forward-thinking companies with new dimensions of growth and profitability to help transcend the turbulence of the evolving automotive industry.

Co-Chairs:

Brett Smith, Assistant Director, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology, Center for Automotive Research

John Waraniak, Vice President, Advanced Vehicle Technology Strategy, Specialty Equipment Market Association Presentation

Speakers:

Paul Brubaker, Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration

Tom Phillips, General Manager, Automotive Business Unit, Microsoft

Myles Kovacs, President and Co-Founder, DUB Magazine Presentation

Elaine Matsuda, Vice President of Corporate Accessories, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Presentation

Scott Ulnick, Chairman and Managing Partner, Ducker Worldwide Presentation

Additional Presentations:

The Connected Vehicle and Aftermarket: Richard Wallace, CAR

Profitable Personalization at the Dealership: A CAR-MSXI Presentation

Chris Powers, CAR

TBA MSX, International

Location
Event Location	Governors Hall - C & D
Homepage:	No Homepage available

WHAT FAMILY ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE?

The family friendly Partners Program is available for all attendee families. In addition, the Resort and surrounding Traverse City area have numerous opportunities for family fun. Contact the Traverse City Convention Bureau at www.visittraversecity.com or (800) 872-8377.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES?

In addition to continental breakfasts and lunches, there are several evening activities designed for relaxation and informal conversation. Social Hours take place Monday-Thursday evening and on Wednesday evening there is an industry dinner and entertainment.

WHAT CAN MY SPOUSE/PARTNER ATTEND?

Your spouse or partner is welcome at all of the social hours and the Wednesday evening dinner. (Children are not permitted at the Monday - Thursday social hours and the Wednesday evening event. Alternative activities are planned and/or available.)

WHAT IS THE CONFERENCE DRESS CODE?

The seminars are designed to foster a casual atmosphere for the informal exchange of ideas. Business casual is appropriate. Some attendees choose business attire (suits or sport coats), particularly on Wednesday and Thursday. Others wear more casual polo shirts and slacks.

WHAT IS THE SOCIAL HOUR DRESS CODE?

These are very informal events. Attire will vary from sport coats to polo shirts and slacks (for men) and from summer dresses and skirts to pants and shirts (for women).

ARE MEALS INCLUDED?

Yes; continental breakfast and lunch are served each day. Social hours are hosted Monday through Thursday evening. In addition, registration on Wednesday or Thursday includes a dinner and party on Wednesday evening (hopefully outside, overlooking the Grand Traverse Bay).

WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

The first thing to do would be to find a colleague who would be interested in replacing you. If your colleagues are already registered or unable to attend, please inform us in writing that you must cancel. To be eligible for a full refund of fees, notification of cancellation of registration must be received in writing by May 1, 2008. After this date, to be eligible for a refund of fees less the handling charge of $150.00 we must receive your request in writing before July 18, 2008. We regret that we cannot accept requests for refunds after that date.

HOW DO I GET MY CONFERENCE MATERIALS?

The registration desk is in the lobby area at the base of the tower. We recommend that you pick up your name badge and conference materials at early registration on Sunday, from 5-7 p.m. or on Tuesday from 3:30-7 p.m. The registration desk is also open during the conference sessions. A name badge is required to gain admittance to the sessions. Please note: badges will be distributed the day before or morning of corresponding to the package that you have registered for and you may attend the social hours as they relate to your package.