Detroit Sets the Stage for Key Auto Industry Leaders Panel Discussions

13th Annual Rainbow PUSH/CEF Global Automotive & Energy Summit Convenes Economic Parity with “One Voice, One Goal” Agenda

DETROIT, Mich., September 14, 2012 – Join Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Citizenship Education Fund as they convene the 13th Annual Global Automotive & Energy Summit October 2-4, 2012 at the MGM Grand Detroit Hotel in Detroit. This year’s theme, “Economic Parity: One Voice, One Goal,” will discuss leveling the playing field for minority firms to do business with automotive and energy companies.

“When the playing field is level and the rules are public, and the goals are clear everybody wins ",” said Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., president and founder of Rainbow PUSH Coalition. “Rainbow PUSH is proud to be in the forefront of championing the effort to ensure that minority suppliers are part of the automotive industry’s recovery. This enables them to spread their economic impact within their respective communities.”

Some of the industry’s most coveted automotive stakeholders will take part in informative panel discussions about business, supplier diversity, advertising and marketing, technology innovations, collaborations and women in the automotive and energy industries. Featured panels include:

• A Leadership Town Hall, “The Economic Impact of Saving the Automotive Industry, “will feature a cross section of community leaders including Debra Menk, senior project manager, Center for Automotive Research, to discuss the economic impact on our diverse suppliers, dealers and the community in saving the automotive industry. The panel will be moderated by noted educator and journalist, Dr. Julianne Malveaux.
• “Driving Tier 1 and Tier 2 Partnerships to Create Economic Opportunities,” a focus on original equipment manufacturers will discuss new ways of doing things that enable minority suppliers to be successful. Panelists include heads of purchasing from companies such as Nissan, Volkswagen, Chrysler Group, Takata, and Dura Automotive Systems.
• “Professional Services: Gaining Access to Corporate Services”, will discuss the trends in overall outsourcing of professional service needs, and how their company’s diversity supplier strategy can be enhanced.
• Over the past three years the automotive industry recovery is part of a larger story about the positive momentum in the manufacturing sector. A business luncheon panel discussion, “Recovery and Localization: Opportunities for Economic Parity,” will feature North American Automotive Leaders who share their views on future opportunities within the automotive and energy industries. Confirmed panelists include Steve St. Angelo, VP of Manufacturing, Toyota Motors Engineering & Manufacturing, N.A. and Tom Shoupe, president of Honda of America Manufacturing-Alabama among others. The panel will be moderated by Peter Brown, Automotive News publisher and Editorial Director.
• Diversity Media Advertising: Opportunities, Access and Parity,” automotive company top marketing officers will share how efforts are meeting the needs of the growing ethnic markets and where they see new opportunities in the marketing and advertising arenas for ethnic advertising agencies and media outlets.
• “Women of Color: A Driving Force,” will provide attendees an opportunity to interface leading woman executives and business owners to discuss opportunities and challenges as minority women and issues surrounding economic parity for African American women in business,

The summit kicks off with pre activities featuring an Automotive Career Day where High School and College Students will gain exposure to career fields in the automotive industry from auto designers, dealers, public relations and marketing professionals, technology and safety engineers while at the same time expanding their vision of what they can become during the “College Student Outreach” Assembly. This event begins on Tuesday October 2, 2012 at 9:00 A.M at Cass Technical High School. Native Detroiter and nationally known financial expert, Gail Perry-Mason will be the career day panel moderator.

National sponsors to date include General Motors, Ford Motor Company, andToyota.

For more information regarding conference registration and discounted hotel rates visit www.rainbowpush.org, or call 313 842-3883. Twitter handle: #GAES2012

To apply for press credentials please email Pernell Potter at ppotter@ntouchgroup.com to receive form and return it by email or fax to (248) 423-9209.

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Media Contact(s):                Cheryl Hudson, chudson@ntouchgroup.com, (248) 423-9205, ext 223

                                             Pernell Potter, ppotter@ntouchgroup.com, (248) 423-9205, ext 223

                                             John Graves, prnetworks@aol.com, (313) 674-0304 

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