SPARK: WHERE AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIERS MEET THEIR MATCH


From electrical circuits to fuel lines, solid connections keep engines purring. At the Kentucky Automotive Industry Association, we understand that connections also fuel your businesses. That’s why we’re happy to make introductions at our newest conference, SPARK, which includes panel discussions and exclusive matchmaking sessions with procurement representatives.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING SPARK 2016 A SUCCESS!

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ONE-ON-ONE MATCHMAKING

Strike a match and watch sparks fly – with speed dating, business style. Attendees who purchase one of the limited conference-matchmaking packages may sign up for exclusive, one-on-one 15-minute meetings with procurement representatives from Kentucky’s leading automotive companies, including AGC, Akebono Brake, Asahi Forge, Bosch, Ford, Hitachi Automotive, Mubea, Sumitomo Electric and Toyota. Fifteen minutes could be the beginning of a profitable relationship.

Topics

Thriving businesses crave connection to industry trends and trendsetters, and Spark delivers both. Attendees will hear from leading industry professionals on topics as varied as sustaining successful supplier relationships, developing export connections, and building diverse business partners. Reserve your seat today!

Networking

Part of our mission at KAIA is to drive collaboration among Kentucky’s automotive businesses, helping manufacturers and service providers seize opportunities and conquer challenges. During session breaks, we encourage you to visit our exhibitors and meet with other industry professionals.

ONE-ON-ONE MATCHMAKING REPRESENTATIVES

Main Session Agenda


Welcome
12:30
Keynote: 10 Trends That Will Transform Supply Chains
Facing pressure from regulators, consumers and an ever-changing marketplace, the auto industry is adopting new strategies to create and build vehicles. Learn about 10 trends that will transform how auto suppliers do business in the coming decade.
12:35 – 1:15
How to Spark a Supplier Relationship
Getting a great product into a vehicle that rolls off the assembly line takes hard work. Learn what OEMs and other automotive manufacturers look for in their suppliers, how to prepare and how to get your foot in the door.
1:15 - 2:00
Break
2:00
Cultivating Diversity Among Suppliers Panel Discussion
Diversity brings fresh perspective that helps businesses innovate, adapt to change and prosper. We’ve assembled a panel representing woman- and minority-owned businesses, along with a supplier consultant to talk about building a diverse base to position your company for growth.
2:15 – 3:00
Break
3:00
Gear Up or Gear Down? Economic Outlook for Automotive Industry
The past few years have been lucrative for the automotive industry. Will the upward trend continue? Michael Robinet, widely quoted on global automotive industry trends, will give his expert opinion on production forecasting and share his economic outlook.
3:15 - 4:00
Moving Parts: Developing New Export Relationships
4:00 - 4:45

Speakers

Jean Marie Thrower
CEO | Supplier Development Systems

Jean Marie Thrower is the president and founder of Supplier Development Systems, which delivers strategic business development and distribution for small- to medium-size automotive suppliers in the Southeast. She is a former Army logistics officer and brings 22 years of experience in the automotive and manufacturing industries.

Michael Robinet
Managing Director | IHS Automotive

With more than 28 years of experience in automotive forecasting and manufacturing finance, Michael Robinet is well positioned to offer an economic outlook for our industry. As managing director for IHS Automotive, he forecasts global projects, tracks future-product programs and analyzes sourcing production strategies for OEMs and suppliers.

Laura Lyons
President | ATech Training

Laura Lyons, president of ATech Training, has spent more than 30 years in manufacturing and management. Founded in 1984, ATech develops hands-on products to teach automotive diagnosis and repair. In 2005, the Automotive Service Association certified ATech in Continuing Automotive Service Education – the only such designation for a training equipment designer/manufacturer in the world.

Lindsay Chappell
Industry Editor | Automotive News

Lindsay Chappell is the Industry Editor for Automotive News, the auto industry’s largest trade publication. A 30-year veteran in business journalism, he has covered the auto industry since the 1980s, including OEMs, suppliers and retailers. He has also written for Automotive News Europe, AutoWeek, Advertising Age and Investor’s Daily.

Joe Mazzeo
Owner | Integrated Lean and Quality Solutions LLC

Joe Mazzeo’s 34-year career with General Motors includes stints as executive director of global managing quality and plant manager of the GM Powertrain plant. After retiring, he formed Integrated Lean and Quality Solutions, which provides leadership, lean manufacturing and quality management services to a variety of industries, including automotive.

Leonard Fox
Vice President of Operations | Integrated Manufacturing & Assembly

Leonard Fox brings nearly 20 years of plant management and operations experience to his new role of vice president of operations for Integrated Manufacturing & Assembly. Fox oversees all six IMA plants in the United States, including the one in Louisville, which makes seats for the Kentucky-produced Corvette. Fox started his career with Lear Corporation before joining IMA in 2011.

Brian Miller
Senior International Trade Specialist | U.S. Commercial Service

As a senior international trade specialist, Brian Miller works with experts at the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service to help U.S. companies interested in selling to the international marketplace. In addition to his expertise on regulatory and logistics issues, he is well versed on finding overseas customers and understanding foreign markets.

Chris Bailey
Owner | Revio

A motorcycle wreck sparked Chris Bailey to found Revio (formerly GearBrake) in 2013. His safety innovations have helped him win several awards, including the 2014 Venture Connectors Venture Sharks Competition and the $100,000 prize at the Vogt Demo Day. Chris and his team recently completed the prestigious Techstars accelerator program in Detroit, where less than 1 percent of global applicants are accepted.

Sponsors

 

Presenting Sponsor Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors Friends of KAIA

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please download our Sponsor Packet.

Contact Us

Phone
270.349.2355

Email
[email protected]

FAQs

 

Who should attend?
Automotive industry professionals who need the latest information about trends in supplier diversity and relationships, logistics and the industry’s economic outlook will find this half-day conference worthwhile. Companies seeking to add or expand supplier relationships will benefit from exclusive one-on-one meetings by registering for the matchmaking package. The exhibitor hall and session breaks will offer ample networking opportunities for attendees who choose to register for the conference only.
What are the benefits of matchmaking sessions?
Learn more about the companies you’d like to supply. Find out what qualifications they seek in a supplier, and exactly who you need to reach with your pitch. Help your sales targets put a face with a name.
May I register only for the matchmaking sessions?
No, the matchmaking sessions are an exclusive component of the SPARK conference.
Do I get to choose my matches?
Yes. Once you register for the conference-matchmaking package, you will receive a follow-up email within 48-business hours with further instructions. For scheduling purposes, it is important to complete the next step ASAP, as meeting opportunities will be assigned on a first-come basis, so don’t delay!
Automotive industry professionals who need the latest information about trends in supplier diversity and relationships, logistics and the industry’s economic outlook will find this half-day conference worthwhile. Companies seeking to add or expand supplier relationships will benefit from exclusive one-on-one meetings by registering for the matchmaking package. The exhibitor hall and session breaks will offer ample networking opportunities for attendees who choose to register for the conference only.