ASM GLOBAL SUPPORTS DETROIT COMMUNITY AND NEW BUSINESS IN SURGING SECTOR BY SPONSORING THE LAUNCH OF THE FIRST-EVER EV EXCHANGE AT ITS HUNTINGTON PLACE
(DETROIT – June 23, 2022) – As part of ASM Global’s new strategic convention and meeting space initiative, the ASM Global managed Huntington Place in Detroit hosted and sponsored the launch of the first-ever EVX on June 22. EV Exchange serves the electric vehicle (EV) and energy infrastructure market—a surging sector with EV sales expected to increase by 37% from 2021 to 2022 in the U.S, according to a forecast by market consultant AutoPacific. Globally, sales of electric cars have increased significantly in 2022, with 2 million sold in Q1, up 75% from the same period in 2021, according to IEA’s Global EV Outlook 2022.
With EV sales soaring, local, state and national government officials are seeking infrastructure solutions to support U.S. President Joe Biden’s goal of EV sales encompassing 50% of auto sales by 2030. At the same time, a lot of work on changing consumer attitudes and beliefs needs to be done to reach this goal, as studies have found that consumers continue to be leery of EVs because they aren’t comfortable with the idea that taking a long trip in one requires advance planning and multiple recharging stops, reported by Forbes.
To respond to this burgeoning market need, MAD Event Management and Sitarian Corporation joined forces to produce the first-ever Electric Vehicle + Energy Infrastructure Innovation and Sustainability Exchange conference (EVX).
Held June 22, EVX brought together key stakeholders to network and educate each other about the operations, infrastructure, investment, cost recovery, regulatory and policy issues with the expanding deployment of EVs and EV infrastructure to execute and achieve goals for effective EV deployment and to meet climate change goals and balance policy issues around ESG.
The event drew 60 invited attendees, including EV manufacturers, private sector infrastructure companies and federal, state and local government officials. Visit Detroit is the presenting sponsor of EVX.
“As electrification becomes crucial to the future of automobility, EV Exchange is the perfect vehicle for Detroit to command center stage as the world leader in automotive innovation,” said Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit. “Coming out of the pandemic, we are so proud to host this transformative event.”
At a luncheon at EVX, Bob McClintock, executive vice president, convention centers, ASM Global, said, “Welcome to Huntington Place in Detroit, the auto innovation capital of the world.” McClintock serves on the EVX advisory board. “As a representative of ASM Global, we are here to support our customers, the venues we manage and the Detroit metropolitan region. We want to facilitate the creation of new products for the communities our building’s serve, and we are committed to promoting innovation in growing markets, particularly those that will help with sustainability initiatives.
“ASM Global continues to support the work of industry associations like PCMA, IAEE, MPI, ASAE and SISO; but the EVX launch represents our first investment with an independent organizer,” said McClintock. “We have a longstanding relationship with MAD Event Management, and ASM Global’s support of their vision for this expanding sector is an indicator of our commitment to the future of meetings and conventions.”
MAD Event Management also produces the Long Beach Comic-Con at ASM Global-managed Long Beach Convention Center.
“ASM agreed to sponsor EVX for at least its first two years to allow it time to grow and establish its place in the market,” continued McClintock. “We recognize the importance of EV, and we are dedicated to bringing new business to the communities we serve. When MAD approached us about sponsoring, we couldn’t think of a better way to support Detroit as the auto innovation capital of the world.”
Martha Donato, founder and president of MAD Event Management, agreed. “There’s no better city on the planet for the EV Exchange to launch and run this premier EV and next-generation mobility program,” she said.
“With support from ASM Global and Visit Detroit, it was amazing to have the opportunity to bring this program to fruition. EVX’s mission is to create a positive impact on domestic and global climate and environmental green initiatives,” said Paul Sitar, CEO of Sitarian Corporation and creator and director of the EV Exchange.
“We were honored to bring all of these resources to the table to deliver a unique and strategic program for leaders in this emerging business segment, including regulators, government officials, automotive manufacturers, infrastructure service providers and the City of Detroit,” said Richard Mroz, EV Exchange conference chair.
ASM Global and Huntington Place assisted the EVX with operations and logistics for the event. “There is no better place than Detroit to host the EV Exchange," said Karen Totaro, Huntington Place general manager. "This city has the history and the forward-thinking industry leadership that can shift the entire car culture. Having a place where great minds can meet is what Huntington Place is all about. Important conversations about mobility, energy and technological innovation belong here. We are thrilled to be a supportive part of this launch; while some may see it as a risk, we see it as being ahead of the industry curve … yet again.”
This year, ASM has produced and hosted hundreds of events at its portfolio of 350+ premier venues worldwide as mask mandates and COVID restrictions have been lifted. “We are encouraged by the strong rebound of the convention industry, and ASM Global wants to support key customers who are taking the risk to launch events as we emerge from the pandemic,” said Ron Bension, president and CEO of ASM Global, which manages 98 convention centers—including some of the largest and busiest venues in the U.S., such as McCormick Place, Moscone Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center.
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CONTACT:
Danica Tormohlen, a media rep for ASM Global
Mobile: 816-803-8103
ABOUT ASM GLOBAL
ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management—delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, performing arts venues, and convention and exhibition centers, including McCormick Place Chicago; Moscone Center San Francisco; ICC Sydney Australia; Olympia London; Shenzhen World China; and P&J Live in Aberdeen, U.K. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. asmglobal.com
ABOUT HUNTINGTON PLACE
With 723,000 square feet of exhibit space, Huntington Place, Detroit’s convention center, boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America and has the largest ballroom in Michigan with 40,000 square feet. It is a LEED Gold certified venue and has received numerous industry awards for excellence including the 2020 USGBC Leadership Award for Building Performance, making it the only convention center in the history of the award to receive it. Visit online at huntingtonplacedetroit.com.
ABOUT EVX
MAD Event Management and Sitarian Corporation joined forces to create The Electric Vehicle + Energy Infrastructure Innovation and Sustainability Exchange (the EV Exchange). The EV Exchange focuses on three key stakeholder communities: electric vehicle manufacturers and suppliers; energy, utilities and other infrastructure entities needed to create a backbone to enable an influx of EVs; and state, local and federal regulatory and policy agencies. Visit EVX online at theevexchange.com.