News Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the world-class auto show that connects industry leaders with policy makers, The Washington Auto Show® continues to convene those who are making and shaping the cars of the future. As part of its annual Public Policy Preview Days that advance the 2017 public show, which opens on Friday, Jan. 27, the Washington Auto Show will feature a new partner in 2017: the Eno Center for Transportation. Eno, whose mission is to cultivate creative leadership and to impact emerging issues for the nation’s multi-modal transportation system, will co-locate its 2017 Digital Cities conference, Capital Convergence (CapCon), at the show site, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, on Thursday, Jan. 26.

“We are delighted that the Eno Center for Transportation will co-locate its activities with our public policy days,” says John O’Donnell, producer of The Washington Auto Show. “Our public policy days are geared toward elected officials, policy makers, industry professionals and members of the media discussing a variety of cutting edge topics, including technology, safety, cybersecurity, shared-use mobility and autonomous vehicles. What makes the conversation so fascinating is that it emanates from a political and industry perspective.”

A multi-part research and outreach effort, Eno’s Digital Cities will provide a resource for policy makers to understand the technological forces that are shaping our transportation networks. Eno’s Convergence conference was first held last March. The day-long conference focused on the potential of new innovations in mobility. This year Eno will focus on specific and tangible applications and how these advances are being implemented by cities and states often in partnership with the private sector. CapCon will draw on real-world applications from metropolitan Washington and across the country.

Robert Puentes, President and CEO of the Eno Center, added, “We are very excited to host our 2017 Capital Convergence in conjunction with the Washington Auto Show. Many of the exciting and innovative changes happening in the transportation industry today are taking place in the auto industry. In order for these innovations to flourish, public policy must adapt and change quickly. CapCon will bring together stakeholders from not just the auto industry but from across the transportation and technology industry as a whole in order to continue the conversation and discuss real-world applications of these technologies.”

Speakers featured in last year’s Convergence conference included: Blair Anderson, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Rit Aggarwala, Sidewalk Labs; Emily Castor, Lyft; Harry Lightsey, General Motors; Andrew Salzberg, Uber; and many more.

The Washington Auto Show’s Public Policy Preview Days take place from Tuesday, Jan. 24 through Thursday, Jan. 26, and feature a forum on Capitol Hill, a Ride ‘N Drive of advanced technology vehicles at RFK stadium and a full day of press conferences at the show site, the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Key leaders from government and industry will address the pivotal issues affecting the automotive sector.

Past keynote speakers have included: Scott Keogh, Audi; Mark Fields, Ford; John Mendel, Honda and Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler. Our government keynote speakers have included Ernest Moniz and Steven Chu, U.S. Energy Secretaries; Ray LaHood, U. S. Secretary of Transportation; and Mark Rosekind, NHTSA Administrator.

The Washington Auto Show’s Public Policy Days include numerous networking opportunities such as a “Sneak Peek Reception,” an exclusive preview party for several thousand high-level Congressional staffers, manufacturers, media, embassy officials, dealers and regulators. In addition, SAE International, a global association of engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries has co-located with The Washington Auto Show for nine years, and will partner with The 2017 Washington Auto Show in MobilityTalks® International.

The 10-day consumer show, which is DC’s largest public show, runs from Friday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, Feb. 5.

Now in its 75th year, The Washington Auto Show will showcase more than 700 vehicles from over 42 domestic and import and auto manufacturers and will feature a special exhibit of the world’s most luxurious rides. Accredited by the OICA, the industry credentialing organization for the top auto shows in the world, the Washington Auto Show is one of the five top-tier auto shows in the country.

The Eno Center for Transportation is a 95 year-old independent think-tank that promotes policy innovation and provides professional development opportunities across the career span of transportation professionals. For more information, visit www.washingtonautoshow.com or www.enotrans.org/capital-convergence-2017.