7:30 am | VBC South Halls

Exhibitor Check-in / Registration Open

9:30 am - 10:30 am | Alabama Robotics Technology Park - Tanner, Alabama

Alabama Robotics Technology Park Tour

EV Bus transportation (provided by Alabama A&M University) will depart from the VBC by 8:45 a.m.

11:00 am | VBC South Halls

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 | VBC South Hall Ballrooms

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.*

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | VBC South Hall Ballrooms 3 and 4

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 allows.

2:45 pm - 5:00 pm | VBC - Ballroom 1

Joint Board Meeting

**Invitation Only**

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm | VBC South Halls

Rocket City Welcome Reception

Early preview of our Exhibit Hall and time to get to know and network with exhibitors! Complimentary food and drinks. Entertainment provided by: Josh Couts Quartet

7:30 am | VBC South Halls

Registration Open

7:30 am - 8:30 am | VBC South Halls

Networking Breakfast / Exhibits

8:30 am - 9:00 am | VBC South Halls

Welcome / Kickoff Video

9:00 am - 10:00 am | VBC South Halls

OEM Panel

Don’t miss the OEM Panel featuring David Fernandes from Mazda Toyota, Lamar Whitaker from Honda, Shane Nice from Hyundai, Federico Kochlowski from Mercedes-Benz, and Jason Pickering from Polaris. Ron Davis, President of AAMA, will provide the introduction, and Gabrielle Coppola from Bloomberg News will moderate the session.

10:00 am - 10:45 am | VBC South Halls

Electric Vehicles: Hype, Hurdles, and the Road Ahead

Join Mike Oatridge, Executive Director of the Alabama Mobility and Power Center (AMP), for a powerful session on the future of electric vehicles.

10:45 am - 11:30 am | VBC South Halls

Networking Break / Exhibits

11:30 am - 12:30 pm | VBC South Halls

Lunch / Stars of Southern Manufacturing Awards

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | VBC South Halls

Keynote: Driving Workforce Excellence in a Changing World 

Hear an incredible keynote from Mary Ila Ward (SHRM-SCP, SPHR), owner of Horizon Point Consulting. Learn how to move your workplace forward with innovative people strategies.

1:30 pm - 2:15 pm | VBC South Halls

Networking Break / Exhibits

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm | VBC South Halls

Innovation Test Track® Pitch Competition

SAC's very own pitch competition is back! Watch four innovative companies take the stage with their latest tech and compete for a cash prize, all while gaining invaluable product development and launch advice from our smart and savvy panel of judges.

3:15 pm - 4:45 pm | VBC South Halls

Aerospace and Automotive Synergies

NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center teams up with the automotive industry at SAC 2025. Aerospace and automotive come together to create a conversation that takes engineering, talent, and innovation to the next level.

4:45 pm | VBC South Halls

Pre-Concert Party Mixer

More time to network with exhibitors, plus complimentary food and drinks!

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm | VBC Mark C. Smith Concert Hall

Shenandoah Concert to Benefit Veterans

7:30 pm | Rhythm on Monroe

Dinner reservations available at Rhythm on Monroe, onsite at VBC.

Tables must be reserved in advance.

7:30 am | VBC South Halls

Networking Breakfast / Exhibits / Registration Open

8:20 am - 8:30 am | VBC South Halls

Alabama’s EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy

To support automotive innovation and a growing number of EV owners in the state, Alabama established a competitive grant program with state funds in 2020 to support publicly accessible charging infrastructure projects. Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Kenneth Boswell will highlight how these efforts have moved Alabama from almost dead last to a leader in terms of the adequacy of available EV charging infrastructure. Afterwards, enjoy a Special Presentation from Racing for Children’s.

8:30 am - 9:30 am | VBC South Halls

Cybersecurity

9:30 am - 10:30 am | VBC South Halls

Reinventing Work Panel

Moderated by Greg Canfield, this powerhouse panel features Teriann Bailey (Honda), Mark Brazeal (Mazda Toyota Manufacturing), Tony Dillon (TOOTRiS), Anke Jahn (Mind Your Culture), and Courtney Taylor (AccelerateMS).

10:30 am - 11:15 am | VBC South Halls

Workforce Development – How To Tie It All Together

Greg Reed, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Workforce, will share how to strengthen your talent strategy and drive solutions that prepare the workforce for high-tech, high-demand careers.

11:15 am - 11:45 am | VBC South Halls

Boxed Lunches

11:45 am - 12:45 pm | VBC South Halls

Workshops / Networking Break / Exhibits

Take your pick...check out one of our workshops (see below), walk the Exhibit Hall floor or spend the hour networking!

11:45 am - 12:45 pm | VBC South Hall Ballroom 1

"The Supply Chain Disruption You Can’t Afford to Ignore" by AIAG

Six OEMs—GM, Ford, Honda, Stellantis, Nissan, and Toyota—have pledged to Tier 1 requirements, starting as early as this year, that participants will gain key insights into. Designed for professionals in compliance, purchasing, sourcing, supply chain management, corporate responsibility/sustainability, legal counsel, global trade, and supplier risk, this session covers the essentials of forced labor risk, its potential impact, and compliance strategies. Benefits include: 1) A clear grasp of how forced labor risks emerge. 2) Understanding the impact on your business. 3) How to implement compliance and proactive risk mitigation practices to ensure compliance. Led by Ethan Woolley from Kharon. Remarks by Ashley Shields - Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, Bryan Clem - Toyota Motor North America and Tanya Bolden - AIAG.

11:45 am - 12:45 pm | VBC South Hall Ballroom 3

"Federal, State, and International Taxes - What the Automotive Manufacturing Industry Needs to Know" by Mauldin & Jenkins

Led by Jeff Dorris, William Roberts and Meredith Smith, Tax laws are constantly evolving, and staying informed is critical for businesses and their leadership, this session will cover key tax updates, including One Big Beautiful Bill Act ("OB3") provisions, and essential considerations for navigating federal, state, and international tax requirements.

12:45 pm - 1:00 pm | VBC South Halls

Transition Break

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm | VBC South Halls

AI and Auto Industry

Auburn University's Greg Harris will share synergies between AI and the Auto Industry as we evolve into the next generation of technology.

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm | VBC South Halls

Young Professionals Panel

Learn from our young professionals as they give practical advice and insights - moderated by Larry Deutscher, GM at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Panelists include Eric Anderson (Honda), Tyler Duncan (Hyundai), Joseph Lulka (Mercedes-Benz), and Austin Wilhite (Toyota).

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | VBC South Halls

Industry Forecast in the New Administration

Join Joe McCabe, President & CEO of AutoForecast Solutions LLC, as he presents critical insights into how the new administration will shape the automotive landscape and the industry impacts that will define the road ahead.

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm | VBC South Halls

Ice Cream Networking Reception with Exhibitors

Ice cream on the house! Entertainment provided by: Tim Tucker

3:30 pm | VBC South Halls

Executive Tour of the Exhibit Hall

5:00 pm | VBC South Halls

Exhibitor Load-Out