Roadmap to Supplier Success
Are you a minority, veteran or woman-owned supplier, small service provider or budding entrepreneur seeking to navigate the complexities of the automotive industry?
Join us for the 2023 Supplier Diversity Conference as top automotive executives and experts define procurement opportunities and discuss workforce challenges and solutions for diverse suppliers through the lens of the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles. Learn how to take advantage of resources available to accelerate you on the road to supplier success and gain valuable insight into how to optimize your operations for automotive's future state.
Join Us September 14!
Solutions for the Savvy Supplier
As EVs, technologies and the latest innovations transform and disrupt the automotive world we know, get equipped for success with practical strategies to grow your diverse business and build viable relationships and synergistic partnerships.
Our full-day of comprehensive sessions will focus on a spectrum of thought-provoking topics including Benefits of Supplier Diversity Partnerships, Industry Transformation & Opportunities, EV Policy Regulations & Incentives, Supplier Diversity Success Stories, ACE / EV Indirect Sourcing Opportunities, Workforce Challenges & Solutions, and Available Programs & Resources for Suppliers.
Plus, bring your business cards to network and connect with other diverse suppliers and startups during our dedicated networking opportunities throughout the day!
Agenda
| **Agenda subject to change** |
| THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 |
| 7:30 a.m. - Registration / Networking Breakfast *Exhibitor check-in begins at 7:00 a.m.* |
| 8:30 a.m. - Welcome & Introductions Opening Remarks: Mayor Tommy Battle - Mayor of Huntsville / Stacia Robinson - Director, Alabama Office of Minority Affairs / Ron Davis - President, Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association / Chris Lewis - Vice President, Commercial Development & Engagement, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) |
| 8:45 a.m. - Benefits of Supplier Diversity Partnerships Lydia Irby - Assistant Group Manager, Human Resources, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi |
| 9:30 a.m. - ACE / EV Indirect Sourcing Opportunities Panel Moderated by: Steve Sewell - Executive Vice President, EDPA Confirmed panelists:Â Jason Pickering - General Manager, Administration, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing / Jeff Smith - President & Chief Executive Officer, Everged/ Eva Hurst - Diversity, Governance, & Sustainability Unit Leader, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. |
| 10:30 a.m. - Networking Break *Visit our Exhibit Hall and connect with other attendees! |
| 11:15 a.m. - What Policies & Incentives are Driving EV-related Opportunities? Confirmed presenters: Michael Staley - President, Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition / Frederick Kennedy, Sr. - Community Engagement Liaison, Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition / Hasin Gandhakwala - Electric Transportation Manager, Alabama Power |
| 12:00 p.m. - Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. - Â Supplier Diversity Success Stories from an Autonomous Connected Electrified World Moderated by: Chris Lewis - Vice President, Commercial Development & Engagement, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) Confirmed panelists: Ken Cartwright - Chief Operating Officer, Hightower EV /Â James Wingard - President, Wingard Quality Supply / Terri Seese - Founder & CEO, Alliance Solutions Group / Lensey C. King, Jr. - Master Electrician/Business Development Manager, EM&T/MST |
| 1:30 - OEM Panel: Industry Transformation & Opportunities Moderated by: Stacia Robinson - Director, Alabama Office of Minority Affairs Confirmed panelists: Rolf Wrona - Vice President of Human Resources, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International / Jason Puckett - President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama / Namit Handa - Global Supply Base Manager, Electrification, John Deere / Esterlene Dukes - Vehicle Electrical System Manager, GM Spring Hill / Jim Fugate - Energy Infrastructure Training Manager, Alabama Power |
| 2:30 p.m. - Networking Break *Visit our Exhibit Hall and connect with other attendees! |
| 3:15 p.m. - Workforce Challenges & Solutions Panel Moderated by:Â Kevin Taylor - Deputy Director, AIDT Confirmed panelists: Donny Jones - Executive Vice President, West AlabamaWorks! / Mary Ila Ward - Founder, Horizon Point Consulting / Eric Cutler - Senior Director of Strategic Initiaties, TOOTRiS / Jason Pickering - General Manager, Administration, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing / Scott Haywood - Technical Specialist & Staffing Engineer, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America / Filmore Walker III - Executive Vice President, GAA |
| 4:15 p.m. - Available Programs & Resources for Suppliers Facilitated by: Stephanie McCulloch - Executive Director, North AlabamaWorks! Confirmed presenters: Kevin Taylor - Deputy Director, AIDT / Gary Weaver - Regional Workforce Development Director, Alabama Community College System / LaVada Varner - Director, Alabama Technology Network / Renu Dalal - Talent Management, Alabama Mobility & Power Center / Jim Liegghio - Manager, Customer Experience & Engagement, AIAG / Larry Deutscher - General Manager, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama /Â Matt Massey - President, Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering |
| 5:00 p.m. - Â Closing Comments Ron Davis - President, Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association Chris Lewis - Vice President, Commercial Development & Engagement, Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) |
Ready to Grow Your Diverse Business?
Attend
Network & Connect!
Attendee Registration
AAMA / AIAG Members - $125
Non-members - $150
Exhibit
Join Our Exhibit Hall!
Exhibit Registration
AAMA / AIAG Members - $750
Non-members - $950
Exhibit includes:
*Two complimentary exhibitor attendees
*6' table with tablecloth & two chairs
Sponsor
Make an Impact!
Sponsorships At-a-Glance
Presenting Sponsor
$5,000
Platinum Sponsor
$3,000
Gold Sponsor
$1,500
**To secure your sponsorship,
please complete the form at the link below!**
Venue
700 Monroe Street NW
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
**Note: Conference will be held in the VBC North Halls. North Hall entrance and parking access is on Clinton Avenue, just west of Mars Music Hall.**
Recommended Hotels
Hotels Within Walking Distance
Embassy Suites by Hilton Huntsville
106 Jefferson Huntsville, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hampton Inn & Suites Huntsville Downtown
**Note: We do not have special room blocks at any of the above listed hotels.**
Questions?
For more information, please contact:
Donna Thompson - General Event Inquiries
donnathompson.aama@gmail.com
Lynsey Delane - Registration Questions
lynsey.aama@gmail.com
Interested in learning more about AAMA or AIAG?
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Lanyard Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Register today for the Supplier Diversity Conference!
We look forward to seeing you September 14 in Huntsville, Alabama!
