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Tennessee Named 1998 Host For The First Annual Automotive News Southeast Conference

30 October 1997

Tennessee Named 1998 Host For The First Annual Automotive News Southeast Conference

             Tennessee's Automotive Leadership Cited for Decision

    NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 30 -- In recognition of its preeminent
role in the future of the global automotive industry, Tennessee has been
chosen to be the host of a major automotive conference to be held April 26-28,
1998 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.  The announcement was made today at
the Governor's Economic Summit by Peter Brown, Associate Publisher and Editor
of Automotive News.
    The Conference, sponsored by Deloitte & Touche LLP, Automotive News and
the University of Tennessee, is expected to bring together an unprecedented
gathering of national and international automotive manufacturing and supplier
firms.
    Governor Don Sundquist said it is appropriate that Tennessee host the
conference.  "We are pleased that Automotive News has selected Tennessee for
its 1998 Automotive Conference," said Sundquist.  "As the nation's fourth
largest auto producing state, Tennessee has come a long way from ranking 49th
just a decade ago."
    Over the past decade the automotive industry has seen many changes.  "The
industry has become truly global, with supply based integration consolidating
the industry and global initiatives increasing," said Joseph Bione, Principal,
Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group, who will be speaking at the Conference.
"By hosting the Conference in the Southeast region, we can help organizations
understand what is happening globally and how they can use this to benefit
them locally."
    "The Southeast region is very important to the automobile industry,
nationally and internationally," said Mr. Brown.  "The location of this
Conference underscores that fact.  I expect major decision-makers to be
there."  The presence of large automotive corporations in the Southeast region
including Saturn, Nissan, Chrysler, Toyota and BMW create a dynamic hub of
industry activity.
    Tennessee is now home to more than 475 automotive suppliers serving
today's highly competitive, global auto industry.  "More importantly,
approximately 100,000 Tennesseans are employed because of auto industry
investments here," added the Governor.  "The Conference will bring attention
to this investment and bring the South closer to the leaders of the automotive
industry."
    "UT faculty and staff have helped manufacturers and suppliers with issues
such as cost containment, quality and training," said Joe Johnson, President
of the University of Tennessee.  "As a sponsor of the conference, the
University continues to have an important role in the economic development of
Tennessee."
    The Conference will address topics ranging from manufacturing to supplier
issues to sales.  Other Southern states with vehicle manufacturing plants are
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina.

SOURCE  Automotive News