SHELL ECO-MARATHON AMERICAS RETURNS TO COBO CENTER, APRIL 20-24

Record number of North & South American teams arrive in Detroit; Students Aim to Achieve Highest Mileage Using Least Amount of Fuel

WHAT:           More than 1,000 students participating in this week’s Shell Eco-marathon Americas at Cobo Center have begun to arrive in Detroit to push the limits of energy-efficiency. With a record number of teams – including 10 from Michigan  – participating in the mileage competition,  this FREE festival of innovation, energy and creativity will offer attendees with hands-on, interactive activities celebrating science, technology, engineering, math and energy.  As many as 8,000 students from local K-12 schools are expected to watch the practice runs during field trips to Cobo Center on Friday, April 22.                       

Shell Eco-marathon is a demonstration of Shell’s commitment to fostering the talent that will sustain the automotive and energy industries while helping the world meet its growing energy needs by developing bright ideas in energy transition in a collaborative and responsible way.

A short video demonstrating what you will experience at this year’s event can be viewed here. Photos may be found here.      

WHO:            More than 1,000 high school and college students from across the Americas– including six legacy teams that have participated in all 10 competitions from Mater Dei High School, Cedarville University in Ohio, and Grand Rapids High School among other teams from Detroit as well including the 2015 returning champion from University of Toronto.

**ALL AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW** Student teams, Shell and global and local partners including Penske and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) among others

Access to students and their futuristic vehicles in paddock area
Moving and aerial shots of student vehicles on the track
Opportunity for ride along in the Shell UrbanConcept vehicle

WHEN:             Daily Events/Activities (Abbreviated Schedule)

TOMORROW! Wednesday, April 20 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 - Student Career Day (Sponsored by SAE International): platform for recruiting with Shell and partner companies including Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Linde, Southwest Research Institute and others
 - Student Mobility Roundtable: You’re invited to a student-led mobility roundtable with automotive industry’s leading experts, including Shell, Ford Motor Company and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), discussing Millennials views on urban mobility, transport solutions and energy transition climate challenge in a panel, “To Own or Not to Own. What Will Mobility Look Like in 2030 and Why?”

Thursday, April 21 | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (**Note, invitation only, closed to the public. Media credentials available upon request.)

 - Join leaders in business, academia and government in a conference series discussing the state of energy transitions as well as climate challenges and opportunities in an interactive forum, “Local Moves, Global Gains.” Participants include Mayor Duggan, Shell Chairman Chad Holliday and Roger Penske among others
 - Shell Great Lakes Innovation Competition: Find out what next big idea will jump start energy transition as innovators from the Great lakes region pitch their technology to a panel of judges in an effort to win $20,000 to solve energy-related issues.

Friday, April 22 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

 - Opening ceremony with Shell Chairman Chad Holliday from 8:30-9:00 a.m.
 - Student team test runs on indoor track, technical inspections and more
 - General public are invited to experience Shell Make Zone

Saturday, April 23 | 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

 - Competition begins at 8 a.m.

Sunday, April 24 | 8:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

 - Competition begins at 8 a.m.
 - Closing awards ceremony, winner announcement from 6:30-7:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Cobo Center

1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226

Upon arrival at Cobo Center, please visit the registration desk in Hall B, where you will receive media credentials.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:                      

Downtown streets will be impacted: Downtown Detroit road closures will impact weekend traffic including street closures around Jefferson Avenue to Woodward Avenue and on to Michigan Avenue and Washington Boulevard. More information is available upon request. 

Important instructions for media upon arrival: All media must check-in and receive credentials at registration (located in Hall B).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Bridget Burns, 313-832-2210, 313-218-2505 (mobile), bburns@loviogeorge.com

Megan Ewend, 313-832-2210, 989-392-9711 (mobile), mewend@loviogeorge.com