Electric Drive Transportation Association to Co-locate with 2010 Washington Auto Show

WASHINGTON, DC. –September 16– Underscoring its drive toward sustainability, The Washington Auto Show®, today announced its co-location with the 2010 Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) Conference and Annual Meeting at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

As the automotive industry’s “public policy show,” which spotlights the industry’s issues and innovations before national policy makers, The Washington Auto Show considers this a significant partnership with EDTA, representing a pivotal technology in the evolution of transportation.

"This partnership exponentially spotlights the convergence of environmental and advanced technology issues and is thoroughly consistent with our mission to be the global forum for  automobile industry and US government to come together on public policy, "said Gerard Murphy, president of the Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA), which sponsors the Washington Auto Show.

The EDTA conference will run from Jan. 26 through Jan. 28.  The five-day Washington Auto Show opens to the public on Jan. 27, with special public policy preview days scheduled for Jan. 25 and Jan. 26.

“Electric drive technology is a decisive solution to our economic, environmental and energy security challenges, and EDTA members are leading this transformation,” says EDTA president Brian Wynne.  “The EDTA Conference is the only event that brings together the industry’s automakers, energy providers, and suppliers to engage in meaningful dialogue with policy and administration leaders to power this new era of transportation. We are pleased to have our conference in conjunction with the Washington Auto Show, and introduce our members to a broader audience.”

As part of the agreement, EDTA and WANADA executives will appear at certain roundtables and functions held by each other’s associations.  EDTA’s leadership, for example, will participate in the show’s Green Car Summit, a Capitol Hill forum on fuel efficiency. Held Jan. 25, the summit kicks off the show’s two Public Policy Days.

EDTA will also sponsor the Public Policy Days VIP reception on Jan. 26, a sneak preview that culminates days of panel discussions among industry executives, international reporters and high-level Washington officials.

The arrangement with EDTA marks the Washington Auto Show’s second co-location in as many years.

Last year, the SAE International co-located its Government/Industry Meeting with the Washington Auto Show and will renew its partnership for 2010.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary at the 2010 Conference, EDTA is a cross-industry trade association that works in Washington and beyond to promote the electrification of transportation, including battery, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles.  EDTA’s membership includes automotive and other equipment manufacturers, energy companies, technology developers, battery and component suppliers, and others.

Hundreds of leaders from the auto, energy, and government sectors will discuss ways to accelerate the development and adoption of fuel-efficient, electric drive vehicles during the EDTA Conference & Annual Meeting. In addition to a three-day program and conference workshops, a highlight of the EDTA Conference will be the Advanced Technology Pavilion, featuring production and concept vehicles, suppliers, and infrastructure providers. 

Founded in 1917, when the first Washington Auto Show was staged, WANADA represents more than 225 franchised new vehicle dealers and 75 kindred-line members in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland. Now in its 69th incarnation, the Washington Auto Show, the “Automotive Seat of Power,” is the largest public show in Washington. The show features more than 700 vehicles from over 42 countries and a host of entertainment from sports stars to media personalities at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

For more information, and to register for the 2010 EDTA Conference & Annual Meeting, and the Auto show, respectively, please visit www.electricdrive.org and www.washingtonautoshow.com.