SPE Technical Conference & Exhibition focussing on automotive plastics is to be held in Metro Detroit April 22, 2008 to update new developments, technology and trends in high performance engineering plastics for fuel-efficient automotive design and manufacturing productivity.

TROY, MICH. – Advanced material strategies that help to enable the automotive industry meet new CAFE standards and reducing unnecessary weight in hybrid electric vehicles will be topics that drive the agenda of the third annual AutoEPCON conference. The conference, hosted by the Detroit Section and Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE®1) International, will feature management presentations and more than 25 technical papers covering the latest advances in materials and design innovations in engineering plastics, according to conference co-chairs, Tom Pickett of General Motors and Nippani Rao of Chrysler LLC.

“Trends driving the use of lightweight more robust engineered polymer materials have never been more compelling,” said Pickett. “AutoEPCON is the best place to meet, network and receive an update on new technologies and applications with engineers involved in specifying, designing, and recommending engineering plastics.”

“Following last year’s very successful SPE event, we look forward to an even more lively and effective conference with opportunities to learn, share, and meet industry movers and leaders,” commented Rao. “We expect to exceed last year’s attendance with more than 200 professionals from OEMs, Tier component suppliers, and the materials and engineering consulting supply community.”

The Conference chairpersons expect the exceptional technical program will attract an even greater number of sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers compared to last year’s conference. For more information on participating in the conference, please contact:

Sponsorship: Nippani Rao, Chrysler, 248-576-7483 or E-mail nr2@chrysler.com.

Exhibits Sign Up: Craig Dlugos, Ticona, 248-377-6852 or E-mail: craig.dlugos@Ticona.com.

Advertisement: Pat Levine, SPE, 248-244-8993 or E-mail: p.levine@yahoo.com.

Conference Chairs: Tom Pickett, General Motors, 586-492-2454 tomjpickett@yahoo.com Nippani Rao, Chrysler, 248-576-7483 or nr2@chrysler.com

Reservations: On-site registration will begin at 7:15 a.m. at the Best Western Sterling Inn, Sterling Heights, Mich. Attendees can pre-register for this conference by contacting Pat Levine of SPE at 248-244-8993 or p.levine@yahoo.com.

The all-inclusive cost of attending the event is $150 USD for non-SPE members, $125 USD for SPE members, and $50 USD for students.

Exhibits, Hotel Coordination: Craig Bellissimo will be at the hotel at 7:00 a.m. on April 22 to help with exhibits and other special arrangements. He can be reached at Ashland Polymers, 248-541-3584 or cebellissimo@ashland.com.

The Best Western Sterling Inn is located at 34911 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, Mich., 48312.

The 2008 AutoEPCON Automotive Engineering Plastics Conference will feature technical presentations on the newest advances in materials technology, predictive engineering, process enhancements, and application developments for thermoplastic and thermoset engineering materials for the automotive industry. Tabletop exhibits will be on display throughout the event. A luncheon and early evening reception, plus several coffee breaks will also be provided throughout the conference to allow further networking opportunities for all who attend.

Members of the media are invited to attend the event at no charge. Pre-registration is recommended to speed entry into the conference. For media registration, contact Pat Levine, SPE Automotive Division, p.levine@yahoo.com or call 248-244-8993.

About SPE
The mission of SPE is to promote scientific and engineering knowledge relating to plastics. SPE’s Automotive and Composites Divisions work to advance plastics and plastic-based composites technologies worldwide and to educate industry, academia, and the public about these advances. Both divisions are dedicated to educating, promoting, recognizing, and communicating technical accomplishments for all phases of plastics and plastic basedcomposite developments, including applications, materials, processing, equipment, tooling, design, and development.