Congratulations on being selected to attend the 2012 US Frontiers of Engineering symposium. We hope your attendance of this invitation-only symposium will introduce you to other outstanding engineers and through this interaction facilitate collaboration in engineering, the transfer of new techniques and approaches across fields, and establishment of contacts among the next generation of engineering leaders.

The 2012 U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium will be held September 13-15, 2012, at the GM Technical Center  in Warren, Michigan.

Meeting Format
The symposium runs from Thursday morning through Saturday lunch. In order to achieve the objectives of the program, we ask that you attend all sessions of the entire symposium. This meeting is unlike other meetings you may attend where it is possible to pick and choose the sessions in which you wish to participate. In addition to showing consideration toward all the speakers, who have worked hard preparing for this meeting, you will reap the maximum benefit from the symposium by participating fully in both the formal sessions and informal events over the course of the 2-½ day meeting. There is a welcome reception/registration on Wednesday evening.

Break Out Sessions
Thursday afternoon, attendees will participate in a get-acquainted session where they will briefly present a slide of their work and/or research interests. Please see the breakout session instructions for more information.  Slides MUST be submitted by Friday, August 17.

Tours
Ride-&-Drive – GM Advanced Vehicles (Chevrolet Volt, eAssist and 2-Mode hybrids, models with the latest technology).  GM will have approximately 25 vehicles on hand with plenty of subject matter experts available to talk about the technology. This event will be “rain or shine.”

Location 
The meeting will be at the GM Technical Center.

30500 Mound Road
Warren, MI 48073
T: 586-863-6263

Lodging
Lodging is at the Best Western Sterling Inn. The negotiated rate is $92+ $11.96 tax= $103.96. Because we have a group reservation, we will collect hotel information from you and submit it to the hotel. Please do not contact the hotel directly.  To make a reservation, complete the online travel form by Tuesday, July 17.  If you need to make changes to your hotel reservation after July 30, please contact FOE staff immediately.

Best Western Sterling Inn
34911 Van Dyke Avenue
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
T: (800) 953-1400 or (586) 979-1400

Shuttle service between the hotel and GM Technical Center
A shuttle bus will be engaged to transport attendees between the hotel and GM Technical Center each day of the meeting, so rental cars are not required or reimbursable.

Transportation
The GM Technical Center is served by Detroit Metro Airport (DTW).

Ground Transportation to Hotel
Participants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel from the airport to the Best Western Sterling Inn.  The official ground transportation company serving DTW is Metro Cars. You may reserve a car in advance or simply follow the signs to the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) in each terminal where you will find the Metro Cars kiosk.  They will be there at your service, and the fare will be approximately $91. This does not include the $2 fuel charge and gratuity.  In order to receive the discounted $91 fare, please reserve your Metro Car by calling 1-800-456-1701 and inform staff you are with the Frontiers of Engineering group. When arriving at your Metro Cars driver, please give him/her your confirmation number.

Driving Directions to the Best Western Sterling Inn

Driving Directions to GM Technical Center from hotel

Map of GM Technical Center Campus

Parking at GM Technical Center
If you live locally and plan to drive each day, you will need to stop at the Security Gatehouse on Mound Road and receive a visitors sign to display in your vehicle. You will then proceed to the visitors lot on the west edge of the R&D Center. There will be "Special Event" signage indicating how to get to R&D once you enter at the Mound Road main gate. 

Return to Airports
We are coordinating a group airport return leaving on Saturday at 12:15 p.m. with a travel time to Detroit Metro Airport of approximately 50 minutes. You will need to reserve a seat by indicating so on the Travel Form.