Automotive executives and business leaders will convene at the Loosemore Auditorium of the DeVos Center on Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus Wednesday for the 12th Annual Automotive Suppliers Symposium.

Hosted by GVSU’s Seidman College of Business and Van Andel Global Trade Center, the event invites attendees to confer with a number of industry leaders, including keynote speaker Vincent Valdmann, director of Renault Nissan Purchasing Organization, to discuss the changing dynamics of the business.

“Our planning committee of leading industry experts has worked to get a diverse group together to address many aspects of the current and future of the ever changing automotive industry,” said Sonja Johnson, executive director of Van Andel Global Trade Center.

Johnson said the program, which runs from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., will provide Michigan automotive suppliers and decision-makers with the “most current information and resources on the industry.”

Historically, another objective of the symposium has been to serve as an opportunity for original equipment manufacturers to inform their supplier bases of new products and technologies in use within their organizations.

“This is a great opportunity for Grand Valley State University, the Seidman College of Business and the Van Andel Global Trade Center to support economic development and growth in the region,” said H. James Williams, dean of Seidman College of Business.

In addition to helping inform and foster business in West Michigan, Johnson touted the symposium as an opportunity for students to experience some extracurricular learning.

“This event would be a great way for students to network with area business leaders and to hear how the automotive industry is changing to run more effectively and sustainably now and into the future,” Johnson said.

Williams agreed with that notion saying the event offers students and faculty the benefits of connecting with business leaders and supplementing “what transpires in the classroom.”

As the symposium’s theme is “Designing a New Future,” Johnson stressed attendees should take away from the event knowledge that the automotive industry is evolving and design changes will factor heavily into its future.

“Leaders and decision makers in the industry will gain new ideas and have an opportunity to network with leaders in the industry and hopefully bring back a few positive concepts they can integrate into their business plans now and into the future,” she added.

Other speakers at the event are Greg Goodrich, general manager of Middleville Tool and Die, Kim Korth, president and owner of IRN consulting, Nate Young, president of NewNorth Center Business Design and Ty Middleton, sales manager at Middleville Tool and Die.

Interested students and faculty can learn more by calling the Van Andel Global Trade Center at 616-331-6811 or by visiting the center’s website at http://www.gvsu.edu/vagtc/.

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