FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 27, 2015) – If you thought Kentucky's past was paved by the auto industry, just wait until you see what is in store for the future of the industry.
A glimpse into that future will be showcased during AutoVision 2015 in Louisville, which will be held Sept. 14-15 at Louisville Marriott Downtown. The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development has been named the presenting sponsor of the event.
Nearly two dozen industry experts will be on hand to share their vision of the industry's future and how Kentucky's existing industry, which already contributes over $14 billion to the state's economy, can capitalize on that future. Experts headlined by Sheryl Connelly, manager of global consumer trends and futuring with Ford Motor Company, and Mustafa Mohatarem, chief economist for General Motors, will discuss new trends, designs, materials, opportunities and challenges for the industry, and will provide insight on how best to take advantage of the auto industry's constantly changing landscape.
"Kentucky and the automotive industry have had a thriving partnership for decades, and the chance to host an event like AutoVision 2015 is an incredible opportunity for both the state and the industry," said Larry Hayes, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. "The Cabinet is proud to have the opportunity to sponsor this event, which will bring together some of the best minds in the industry to discuss the future of auto manufacturing in the state. This conference will also be a great way for the Cabinet and industry leaders to network and build connections to ensure Kentucky's automotive industry has even greater success in the future."
The conference is an initiative of the Kentucky Automotive Industry Association (KAIA), an industry-led organization that is driven by the needs of Kentucky's auto industry. KAIA was formed by Kentucky's automotive manufacturers and suppliers to address the continuously evolving challenges and opportunities within the industry.
"Over the last year, KAIA has taken great strides toward becoming an influential part of the future of business in the Commonwealth," said Dave Tatman, executive director of KAIA. "With this inaugural AutoVision Conference, we want to emphasize that it is our goal to ensure that Kentucky and the auto industry continue to be closely intertwined for the foreseeable future. We are pleased to have the Cabinet for Economic Development as the presenting sponsor for this event. The Cabinet is a resource that will be essential to the success of the industry moving forward, as it has been in the past."
KAIA was created in 2014 by automotive suppliers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to advance and promote Kentucky's automotive industry through leadership and collaborative partnerships. The organization serves as a unifying voice that strives to anticipate and address common challenges and achieve shared goals within the industry. The association seeks to further grow and strengthen the industry across the state by leveraging the expertise of world renowned automotive-related companies.
For more information on AutoVision 2015, click here.