WardsAuto UX Conference

AGENDA:

7:30 to 8:15 am - Registration/Breakfast/Networking
Pick up your badge, join us for continental breakfast, network with your peers and make new connections.

8:15 to 9:30 am - Breakout Sessions in Meeting Rooms
Choose one of three panel discussions featuring speakers from major automakers and suppliers:

Choose one of three panel discussions featuring speakers from major automakers and suppliers:

Panel 7: Machine Intelligence, Learning and Imaginary Friends
A panel of experts will discuss how artificial intelligence and cognitive learning can make better, safer cars as well as amiable personal assistants that can transform the driving experience.

Panel 8: The Growing Importance of Audio Systems and Infotainment
Most surveys show consumers will listen to more music as vehicles become increasingly autonomous. Advanced studio systems and streaming music services offer great opportunities to create unique user experiences and differentiate vehicle brands.

Panel 9: Where are Apps and Subscriber Services Taking Us Next?
The sky is figuratively and literally the limit when it comes to developing Cloud-based apps and new subscription services. What’s next?

4:30 to 5:30 pm - Networking Reception
Join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the ballroom and mingle with speakers, sponsors, attendees and WardsAuto editors and analysts.

Early Registration Rate: $345 (Discounted registration ends August 12; regular rate: $425) Register now to reserve your seat!

Want to sponsor or exhibit at the 2016 WardsAuto UXConference?
We'll help you find the right level of exposure to present your company as a leading solution provider in automotive UX! Download the fact sheet and contact us today!


Who will win the first Wards 10 Best User Experience Awards? Winning automaker design teams to be recognized in ceremony during WardsAuto User Experience Conference on October 4. For decades, WardsAuto has honored automakers for creating outstanding engines and interiors, two factors traditionally high on a consumer's checklist. The Wards 10 Best Engines and 10 Best Interiors programs have encouraged OEMs to deliver outstanding quality and value in vehicles with price tags in reach of the average car buyer. Moving forward, it's the user experience -- encompassing everything from connectivity to comfort -- that will drive car sales among a consumer base with constantly evolving wants and needs. Recognizing this market shift, WardsAuto has created the Wards 10 Best User Experience awards to spotlight automakers doing exemplary work in merging the latest in technology, materials and interactivity to create rewarding experiences. WardsAuto editors are currently evaluating a field of more than three dozen vehicles and will announce the first Wards 10 Best User Experience winners in early September. The winning vehicles will be on display at the WardsAuto UX Conference on October 4, where a ceremony will be held to bring OEM design teams to the stage to accept their honors. Don't miss your chance to check out the winners and see the awards ceremony. Sign up now with early registration discount! ABOUT THE CONFERENCE: The WardsAuto User Experience Conference will review the current state of automaker and supplier efforts in UX. We will forecast technologies, design trends, materials and other factors just around the corner. Join us for: Major keynotes from top OEMs and suppliers New technologies and materials from innovative suppliers The Wards 10 Best User Experience winning vehicles on display Peer networking - share insights with your colleagues and make new connections Panel discussions on many UX topics (see below) AGENDA: 7:30 to 8:15 am - Registration/Breakfast/Networking Pick up your badge, join us for continental breakfast, network with your peers and make new connections. 8:15 to 9:30 am - Breakout Sessions in Meeting Rooms Choose one of three panel discussions featuring speakers from major automakers and suppliers: Panel 1: What Do Future Car Buyers Really Want? For decades consumers have been saying they want flying cars, but that’s pure fantasy. Now advancing technology is making truly futuristic features possible. Which ones are buyers really ready to accept and pay for? Panel 2: Materials that Enable and Enhance UX Unlike smartphones and other consumer electronics, we inhabit vehicles. That means comfort, textures, soft surfaces, special fragrances and smells, and eliminating smudges and glare on screens, all become part of the user experience the right materials can influence. Panel 3: The Future of In-Car Mapping and Navigation Mapping and navigation experts will explain how enhanced user experiences can enable in-car systems to stay relevant. 9:45 to 10:30 am - Morning Keynote Speaker See our morning keynote address from a major industry figure, followed by Q&A. More details coming soon. 10:30 to 11:00 am - Networking Break Chat with colleagues and visit our sponsor and exhibitor booths displaying their latest products, materials and technologies. 11:00 to 12:15 pm - Breakout Sessions in Meeting Rooms Choose one of three panel discussions featuring speakers from major automakers and suppliers: Panel 4: Strategies for Branding Automotive UX Connectivity, infotainment and safety and security features offer automakers opportunities to form a special bond between vehicles and consumers. How can these tools be used to create a new and enduring brand DNA? Panel 5: Elevating Mood, Promoting Health and Wellness Panelists discuss how future vehicles can enhance quality of life through everything from advanced ambient lighting to monitoring occupant status with biometrics and wearable technologies. Panel 6: Displays, HUDs and Augmented Reality These technologies are the tip of the spear for all automotive UX strategies. Where are they going? What will they do? How will they amaze us next? 12:30 to 1:15 pm - Lunch Join us in the ballroom for lunch with your colleagues, our speakers, sponsors and WardsAuto team members. 1:15 to 2:00 pm Wards 10 Best User Experience Awards Ceremony We present our first annual awards recognizing the new model year vehicles with the best overall UX, determined by a panel of WardsAuto judges, as OEM design and UX team representatives will be called on stage to accept their award. Like Wards 10 Best Interiors, winning automakers are expected to send many members of their honored teams. Plus, vehicles will be on display inside the ballroom all day for attendees to see their advanced UX features. 2:00 to 2:15 pm - Networking Break Chat with colleagues and visit our sponsor and exhibitor booths displaying their latest products, materials and technologies. 2:15 to 3:00 pm - Afternoon Keynote Speaker See our afternoon keynote address from a major industry figure, followed by Q&A. More details coming soon. 3:15 to 4:30 pm - Breakout Sessions in Meeting Rooms Choose one of three panel discussions featuring speakers from major automakers and suppliers: Panel 7: Machine Intelligence, Learning and Imaginary Friends A panel of experts will discuss how artificial intelligence and cognitive learning can make better, safer cars as well as amiable personal assistants that can transform the driving experience. Panel 8: The Growing Importance of Audio Systems and Infotainment Most surveys show consumers will listen to more music as vehicles become increasingly autonomous. Advanced studio systems and streaming music services offer great opportunities to create unique user experiences and differentiate vehicle brands. Panel 9: Where are Apps and Subscriber Services Taking Us Next? The sky is figuratively and literally the limit when it comes to developing Cloud-based apps and new subscription services. What’s next? 4:30 to 5:30 pm - Networking Reception Join us for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the ballroom and mingle with speakers, sponsors, attendees and WardsAuto editors and analysts. Early Registration Rate: $345 (Discounted registration ends August 12; regular rate: $425) Register now to reserve your seat! Want to sponsor or exhibit at the 2016 WardsAuto UXConference? We'll help you find the right level of exposure to present your company as a leading solution provider in automotive UX! Download the fact sheet and contact us today!