Detroit will be the epicenter of the technology and transportation industries this week, as thousands of industry leaders and policymakers descend on the Motor City for the 2014 World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems.
The 2014 World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems will take place Sept. 7-11 in Detroit. DETROIT, MI- Detroit will be the epicenter of the technology and transportation industries this week, as thousands of industry leaders and policymakers descend on the Motor City for the 2014 World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems.
The annual conference, which alternates in location between North America, Europe and Asia each year, showcases the most advanced transportation technologies surrounding the future of mobility, technology and regulations.
"We are on the cusp of a transformation, where technology offers realistic solutions to our global mobility, safety, and environmental challenges. Detroit is at the heart of this transformation," said Jim Barbaresso, 2014 ITS World Congress chairman, in a program letter to attendees. "The Motor City is made of both grit and silicon, where industry and technology are coming together to forge the next generation of transportation systems.
This year's conference – themed "Reinventing Transportation in our Connected World" – is expected to attract more than 10,000 people from roughly 65 countries to Cobo Center and Belle Isle in Detroit.
Exhibitors and technical discussions will be held at Cobo, One Washington Blvd., while Belle Isle will be the hub for companies to demonstrate their latest technologies such as driverless vehicles and safety sensors.
In this 2013 file photo, Michigan Economic Development CEO Michael Finney gives a presentation about growth and sustainability of business in the state of Michigan at the Holiday Inn Muskegon Harbor. Executives from the automotive industry and major corporations will lead more than 250 sessions, panels and speeches. They include General Motors Co. CEO Mary Barra; Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford; Verizon Communications Chairman and CEO Lowell C. McAdam; Delphi CEO Rodney O'Neal; as well as numerous international dignitaries and state and federal officials.
Michigan Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Michael Finney, one of the opening ceremony keynote speakers, said the conference is a unique opportunity to showcase Michigan to the world.
"We can show the world Michigan in a leader," he said during a phone interview Thursday morning, adding the MEDC has been working on the Detroit conference for at least three years. "There's just some amazing intelligent transportation and autonomous vehicle activity underway. It's shaping up really well."
Finney said he plans to discuss the growing opportunities for businesses in Michigan during his speech Sunday night. Finney will share the spotlight Sunday night with 10 other invited speakers, including Barra, who is the night's keynote speaker.
Barra is expected to discuss the changing transportation environment around the world as well as the rapidly evolving technology of connected, autonomous, and electric vehicles.
Barra, Finney and Ford are part of a long list of local leaders invited to speak at the 2014 ITS World Congress. Others include Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Michigan Department of Transportation director Kirk T. Steudle.
For more information on the 2014 ITS World Congress, visit itsworldcongress.org.
Michael Wayland covers the automotive industry for MLive. Email him at MWayland@mlive.com & follow him on Twitter @MikeWayland or Google+.