7:30 am | Pre-Function Area - Lower Level

Exhibitor Check-in / Registration Open

11:00 am | Pre-Function Area - Lower Level

VIP Matchmaking Registration

Sign in at the registration desk to receive your Matchmaking wristband, appointment card and boxed lunch voucher.

11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Willow A&B - Lower Level

VIP Matchmaking Appointment Scheduling

Gain access to the OEM and Tier 1 Supplier buyer room and schedule a minimum of 4 one-on-one appointments (five minutes each) with your targets. *Number of appointments subject to change.* The Matchmaking Event is open to all Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Attendees, featuring the Supplier and B2B appointments with Purchasing representatives from OEMs and Large Tier 1's. Please note that complimentary registration to the entire SAC.

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Willow A&B - Lower Level

VIP Matchmaking Appointments

Practice your elevator pitch! Matchmaking appointments kick off at 1:00 p.m. Extra time? Report to the Matchmaking ‘bullpen’ for opportunities to schedule additional appointments, if time and availability allow.

2:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Maple - Upper Level

Joint Board Meeting

**Invitation Only**

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Welcome Reception

All attendees are welcome to attend this opening night reception in the conference halls at the Gas South Convention Center. Early preview of our Exhibit Hall and time to get to know and network with exhibitors! Complimentary food and drinks. Entertainment provided.

7:30 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Networking Breakfast / Exhibits Open / Registration Open

8:00 am - 8:15 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Opening Remarks / President's Video

Rick Walker - President & CEO, Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association

8:15 am - 9:15 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Opening Keynote: The Automotive Outlook: Forecast, Disruption & Industry Transition

Joe McCabe - President & CEO, AutoForecast Solutions, LLC

9:15 am - 10:15 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Guest Keynote: Leading With Passion

Gary Zelesky - Motivational Speaker

10:15 am - 10:45 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Featured Keynote: The Battery Belt's Right To Win: Competing for the Next Era of Mobility

Gabrielle Pierre - Director of Strategy & Partnerships, University of Georgia, Georgia Network for Electric Mobility (GNEM)

10:45 am - 11:15 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Exhibit Hall Showcase

Dedicated networking time with our exhibitors!

11:15 am - 12:00 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Supply Chain Panel: The Grumpy Men of Logistics

Moderated by: David Eyes - Vice President & General Manager of Automotive Solutions, True Commerce / Panelists include: Ted Bowley - Senior Sales Director, Southeast, Carter Logistics, LLC / Mike Franz - Senior Business Development Manager, Benore Logistics Systems, Inc. / Haiden Smith - Chief Revenue Officer, iDC Logistics

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Stars of Southern Manufacturing Awards Luncheon

Sponsored by: AIDT

1:15 pm - 2:00 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

C-Suite Power Panel / OEM Panel: EVs & the Future of U.S. Mobility

Moderated by: Andrew Capezzuto - Director of Corporate Affairs, Rivian / Panelists include: Stuart Countess - President & CEO, Kia Georgia / Joe George - President, Mobility, Cox Automotive, Inc.

2:00 pm - 2:10 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Governor's Remarks (*invited)

Honorable Brian P. Kemp - Governor, State of Georgia

2:10 pm - 2:15 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Hall of Fame Award Presentation

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Featured Keynote: Connected to Failure: When Someone Else's Problem Stops Your Production Line

J. Carlos Vega - Founder & Principal, Executive Security Advisors

3:00 am - 3:05 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Special Announcement

Skip Scaggs - President, Mississippi Automotive Manufacturers Association

3:05 pm - 3:45 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Exhibit Hall Showcase

Dedicated networking time with our exhibitors!

3:05 pm - 3:45 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Live Podcast Interview & Recording

Podcast Producer & Host: Mickey Desai - The Thing About Cars / Podcast Guest: Gabrielle Pierre - Director of Strategy & Partnerships, University of Georgia, Georgia Network for Electric Mobility (GNEM)

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm | Willow Room A - Lower Level

Breakout Session 1: Panel on Sustainability

Moderated by: Allie Kelly - Executive Director, The Ray / Panelists: Dan Todesco - Strategic Feedback Sourcing Manager, Nexus Circular / Olivier Brauen - VP Circularity Business Solutions Development & Transformation Americas, Michelin

3:45 pm - 4:30 pm | Willow Room B - Lower Level

Breakout Session 2: Practical AI: From Hype to Business Impact

Charlie Dino - SVP, Solutions & Customer Success, Griffin Global Technologies / Mike Batroff - Director of Delivery Services, Griffin Global Technologies

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Exhibit Halls C&D and Pre-Function Area - Lower Level

Gala Reception

All registered attendees are invited. Amazing food choices including ethnic favorites, beverages, entertainment, and surprises!

7:30 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Networking Breakfast / Exhibits Open / Registration Open

8:00 am - 8:10 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Opening Remarks

Rick Walker - President & CEO, Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association

8:10 am - 9:10 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Featured Keynote: The Great Realignment of Auto

Presented by: Lenny LaRocca - U.S. Automotive Industry Leader / Advisory Partner, Deal Advisory & Strategy / M&A, PE, & Global Transactions, KPMG

9:10 am - 10:10 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Featured Presentation: The AI-Powered Shift: From Workforce Development to Workforce Orchestration - Turning Workforce Potential into Organizational Performance

Jeff Gray - Co-Founder & CTO, Ingenium Plus / Bud Parker - Co-Founder & Manager, Ingenium Plus

10:10 am - 10:45 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Exhibit Hall Showcase

Dedicated networking time with our exhibitors!

10:45 am - 11:15 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Grand Prize Drawings

**Must be present to win!**

11:15 am - 11:30 am | Exhibit Halls C&D - Lower Level

Passing of the Torch & Closing Remarks