October 13 – 15, 2021
Attendee Registration
Non-member – $550
Member – $450
Student – $100
Save the Date
The Southern Automotive Conference (SAC) hosts top level content and discussion, introducing and exploring the latest innovations and issues related to automotive manufacturing. It brings together key industries including manufacturing, safety, logistics, government, and energy as they relate to automotive manufacturing.
SAC is in its 14th year of gathering together automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers from all over the world, with a special focus on those based in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The conference has grown over the years to become the largest event of its kind in the South, attracting global participants.
SAC is expected to attract 1,200 attendees and feature 200+ exhibitors. This international event is the go-to place to get inspired by the industry’s best and brightest, gain valuable resources to amp up your game, and—of course—have fun!
NEW FOR SAC 2021
Matchmaking Session
SAC 2021 kicks off with a dedicated VIP Matchmaking event on Wednesday, October 13 from 1-5 p.m.
Welcome Reception
The Wednesday night Welcome Reception is now open to ALL conference attendees.
Interactive Event App
Maximize your conference experience and keep up on-the-go with SAC’s new event app, Whova.
— COVID-19 Safety Update —
We are fully committed to making this year’s SAC the best it’s ever been— and keeping our attendees and exhibitors safe is part of that commitment! We will be following all current CDC and local guidelines regarding COVID-19 at the time of the conference.
Please click the button below to view our Safety Protocols and the Attendee Admission Questionnaire that must be submitted to receive entry to the event.
IMPORTANT! This questionnaire will be provided on-site upon your arrival at the conference and will be completed in person, prior to registration. Please do not submit completed questionnaires by email or bring a pre-completed questionnaire with you to the conference. Thank you!
SCHEDULE
Explore the agenda for this year’s conference.
10:30
Matchmaking Registration
- Registration for Matchmakings opens upstairs at 10:30 am
1 hour 30 minutes
Upstairs Registration Counter
13:00
VIP Matchmaking
- 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
4 hrs
East Hall Meeting Rooms D-M
15:00
Joint Board Meeting
- SAMA board members only
- 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
2 hrs
East Hall Meeting Rooms A & B
17:30
SAC Welcome Reception
- Entertainment by Iron Horse Bluegrass
- 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
2 hrs
Exhibit Hall Floor
Welcome Remarks and President’s Video
- Speaker: Ron Davis
- 8:00 am - 8:15 am
15 min
Main Stage
08:15
Keynote Speakers
- 8:15 am - 10:00 am
1 hr 45 min
Main Stage
Breakout Sessions & Exhibit Hall
Breakout A: Frontline Leadership in the Automotive Industry: What You Need to Know Now
- Speakers: Johnny Walker and Anke Jahn
- Meeting Rooms N-O
- Emcee: Steve Sewell
- Chairman: Mike Stonecipher
- Program Manager: Jack Sisk
- Judges: Paul Noble, Ken Gould, Rusty Kruciak, Amy Moffat, and Heather Woods
- Meeting Rooms D-M
1 hr
Exhibit Hall Floor, East Meeting Rooms
Stars of Southern Manufacturing Awards Luncheon
- 11:45 am - 12:45 pm
1 hr
Exhibit Hall Floor
The End Game: Silicon Valley vs Traditional OEMs
- Speaker: Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian
- 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm
45 min
Main Stage
Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian
Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian retired in 2012 as Vice President of Group Research and Advanced Engineering responsible for Product Innovations and Process Technologies after nearly 40 years as a research and development engineer for the Mercedes-Benz brand in Stuttgart, Germany. He has been at the forefront of most of the major advances that have occurred in […]
Breakout Sessions & Exhibit Hall
Breakout A: Creating a Culture of Quality
- Speaker: Tony Walker
- Meeting Rooms N-O
- Panelists: Michael Staley, Kenneth Boswell, Danny Garrett, and Cedric Roberts
- Meeting Rooms D-M
- Speaker: Mary Ila Ward
- Meeting Rooms A&B
1 hr
Exhibit Hall Floor, East Meeting Rooms
Breakout Sessions & Exhibit Hall
Breakout A: Environmental Excellence: Beyond Compliance
- Speakers: Ashley Chambers, Michael Rasbury, and Kunal Phalpher
- Meeting Rooms N-O
- OEM Panel: Larry Deutscher, Donny Jones, Robert Burns, Michael Gaines, Rolf Wrona, Scott Russo
- Meeting Rooms D-M
1 hr
Exhibit Hall Floor, East Meeting Rooms
18:00
Appreciation Reception
- Entertainment Featuring the Muscle Shoals Allstar Band
- 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
2.5 hrs
Barber Museum
Breakfast & Exhibit Hall
- 7:00 - 8:00 am
1 hr
Exhibit Hall Floor
Breakfast and Exhibit Hall
- 7:30 - 8:30 am
1 hr
Exhibit Hall Floor
AAMA Supplier of the Year Awards
- Introduced by Ron Davis
- 8:30 - 8:55 am
25 min
Main Stage
Southern Region Governors’ Panel
Including:
- Governor Kay Ivey, Alabama
- Governor Tate Reeves, Mississippi
- Governor Henry McMaster, South Carolina
- Moderated by Lindsay Chappell
1 hr
Main Stage
SAMA Hall of Fame 2021 Honoree Announcement
- 10:00 - 10:15 am
15 min
Main Stage
Innovation Test Track Winner Announcement
- 10:15 - 10:30 am
15 min
VIP Press Tour of Exhibit Area
- 10:30 - 11:30 am
1 hr
SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Mark Brazeal
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
Dr. Bharat Balasubramanian
University of Alabama Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies
Michael Goebel
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
Ryuichi Umeshita
Mazda North American Operations
Bob Schwyn
Honda Development and Manufacturing of America
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Amy Moffatt
SAWF
Anke Jahn
Integrity Solutions
Ashley Chambers
UA SafeState
Cedric Roberts
City of Birmingham
Danny Garrett
Alabama House of Representatives
Greg Canfield
Alabama Department of Commerce
Heather Woods
Dynetics Inc
Jack Sisk
Technology Acceleration and Innovation Services, LLC
Johnny Walker
IntegrityATL
Ken Gould
Porsche Cars North America
Kenneth Boswell
Adeca
Larry Deutscher
Toyota Alabama
Lindsay Chappell
Automotive News
Mary Ila Ward
Horizon Point Consulting
Michael Gaines
Honda Development and Manufacturing of Alabama
Michael Rasbury
UA SafeState
Michael Staley
Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition
Mike Stonecipher
Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Robert Burns
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
Rolf Wrona
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
Scott Russo
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
Stefan Hogg
Li-Cycle
Steve Sewell
Economic Development Partnership of Alabama
Tony Walker
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
MATCHMAKING
Kick off this year’s conference with our VIP Matchmaking Event on Wednesday, October 13th from 1-5 p.m.
(Sponsors & Exhibitors: $65; Attendees: $95)
How it Works
- Sign in to receive your wristband, appointment card, and boxed lunch before 11 a.m.
- View a list of OEM and Strategic Tier Supplier needs and sign up for appointments between 11 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
- Schedule up to 4 one-on-one meetings, approximately 5 minutes each.
How to Register
- Sponsors and Exhibitors: Confirmed sponsors and exhibitors will receive a link to register for Matchmaking at a special, discounted rate.
- Attendees: Attendees can select to register for matchmaking on the attendee registration form.
Committed OEMs:
- Autocar
- Daimler Truck NA
- KIA
- MBUSI
- Honda
- Hyundai
- Toyota NA
- Mazda North American Operations
- Mazda Toyota Manufacturing
- Navistar
- Nissan
- PACCAR
- Volkswagen
- Volvo
Committed Tier 1 Suppliers:
- Draxlmaier
- Kasai
- Mahle
- Montaplast
- REHAU
- SMP
- TI Automotive
- WKW
REGISTER
Click below to register for the conference or purchase an exhibit booth.
Exhibit Booth Registration
Exhibit Booth Options
Standard Exhibit Booth – $1,950
Double Exhibit Booth – $3,500
Exhibit Showcase – $7,000
REGISTER NOW
Explore new opportunities to sponsor!
Download our sponsorship prospectus to learn more about the new features available at this year’s conference and how your company can get involved.
SPONSORS
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sheila Wardy at swardy@pmtpublishing.com.
PREMIER SPONSOR
Appreciation Reception at Barber Motorsports Museum
Conference Bag Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Bronze & Charging Station Sponsor
Lanyard Sponsor
Name Badge and Lanyard Sponsor
Wednesday Welcome Reception Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Wi-Fi Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Matchmaking Sponsor
Student Ambassador Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
AAMA's Supplier of the Year Awards
Hand Sanitizer Sponsor
Registration Desk Sponsor
Charging Station Sponsor
Breakfast Sponsor
Breakfast Sponsor
Wednesday Welcome Reception Sponsor
Social Media Wall Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
EXHIBIT HALL
Our floor plan is finally live and exhibit space selection is now in process! Keep checking back as our Exhibit Hall map starts to populate with our great group of confirmed exhibitors.
Click here to view our live floor plan!
Special Hotel Rates!
Each hotel is conveniently located adjacent to the SAC 2021 conference center, with the Sheraton directly connected via Skywalk and the Westin only steps away.
THE SHERATON
Boasting a direct connection to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Sheraton Birmingham Hotel welcomes guests with spacious accommodations, thoughtful amenities and an ideal location near the city's downtown district.
THE WESTIN
Treat yourself to a stylish break and unwind in one of the spacious hotel rooms or suites at The Westin Birmingham, a centrally located downtown hotel conveniently connected to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center.
Overflow Accommodations
1 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N
Birmingham, AL 35203
MEDIA TOOLKIT
Let others know about your participation at SAC!
Our 2021 Media Toolkit contains images, logos, and banners tailored for a variety of different uses. View our toolkit and spread the word!
EVENT APP
We’re excited to use Whova as our official event platform! Once you have registered for SAC, please download the Whova event app to access all of its exciting capabilities.
- NAVIGATE the event agenda and logistics, even without Wi-Fi or data.
- ACCESS useful information like ridesharing and local attractions through the Community Board
- NETWORK effectively. Plan whom to meet by exploring attendee profiles and sending out messages
- PARTICIPATE in event activities through session likes, comments, ratings, live polling, tweeting, and more
