After a successful inaugural effort in 2007, the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is once again planning a comprehensive calendar of NTW events in the Motor City to commemorate NTW this year. Detroit is an ideal spot to celebrate NTW, given the city’s significance in transportation.

NTW Detroit 2008 Schedule (Check back for Updates)

Detroit’s theme for National Transportation Week 2008 is “The Year of the Car”, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the world’s largest car company, General Motors, and the Centennial of the Ford Model T, the car that changed the world by bringing affordable motorized transportation to everyone. The celebration gets under way on May 10, 2008 with the start of National Transportation Week and wraps up during the Automotive Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies on October 7, 2008. In between, Ford, General Motors and the Motor Cities National Heritage Area will be presenting more than 100 activities throughout the region. Events hosted in metro Detroit for National Transportation Week include:

Monday, May 5
Detroit Economic Club Program – The Honorable Mary E. Peters, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
11:30 am - 12:50 pm at Burton Manor, 27777 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia, MI

“More Than Eisenhower Ever Dreamed: A New Vision for the Future of Transportation Projects in America”

The Honorable Mary E. Peters, Secretary of Transportation, will focus on the challenges facing the nation’s transportation network, and how local, state and national leaders can take advantage of new technology and approaches to unleash a new wave of transportation investments in this country.

Mary E. Peters was nominated by President George W. Bush on September 5, 2006, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 15th Secretary of Transportation on September 30, 2006. Over her 20-plus years in transportation, Secretary Peters has earned a solid reputation as an innovative problem solver, a force for safety and a strong advocate for effective use of taxpayer dollars. As Secretary of Transportation, she is using these same skills to tackle today’s most pressing challenges including fighting congestion across all modes of transportation, improving safety and addressing strains on traditional sources of transportation funding. She is responsible for maintaining a safe, reliable and efficient transportation system, while leading an agency with almost 60,000 employees and a $61.6 billion budget that oversees air, maritime and surface transportation missions.

To purchase tickets, please visit Detroit Economic Club. Tickets are $40 for members, $50 for guests of DEC members and $75 for non-members.

Saturday, May 10
Year of the Car Cruise
10am- 3pm in Detroit and Sterling Heights, MI

This family friendly event will feature restored and customized GM vehicles and Model T Fords cruising between the historic Ford Model T Plant on Piquette Avenue in Detroit to the General Motors Heritage Center car collection in Sterling Heights, which will open it’s doors to the public on weekends between the start of NTW and the end of September, 2008.

For more information, please contact cbaum@visitdetroit.com or call 313-202-1920.

Monday, May 12
The General Motors Heritage Tour and Networking Event Celebrating GM’s 100th Anniversary (Hosted by the Engineering Society of Detroit’s Young Engineers Council)
5:30-8:30 pm at the GM Heritage Center, Sterling Heights, MI

Learn about some of the automotive industry’s greatest inventions, and enjoy GM’s impressive collection of restored and significant vehicles, over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. For more information, please visit www.esd.org or call 248-353-0735.

Tuesday, May 13 and Wednesday, May 14
2008 ITS Michigan Annual Meeting & Exposition (In partnership with MDOT)
Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, MI

Over 300 representatives from industry, higher education and all levels of government will gather to discuss the latest developments in “intelligent transportation”, to include advanced examples of VII (Vehicle Infrastructure Integration) in outdoor demonstrations.
For more information, please visit www.itsmichigan.org or call 734-936-2070.

Wednesday, May 14
Wayne County Transportation Education Expo
9 am-2pm at Hines Park (Warrendale Area), Dearborn Heights, MI

Elementary through High School students will experience Southeast Michigan’s resources and 21st century solutions to transportation challenges through a variety of research projects, hands-on/interactive activities, educational sessions and vehicle displays that will show that math and science can lead to exciting and fun careers in transportation-related industries.

For more information, please contact tdesaute@co.wayne.mi.us or call 313-224-6120.

Thursday, May 15
WWJ Newsradio 950 Business Breakfast
(In partnership with MDOT)
8am-10am
The Henry Ford
IMAX Theatre Lobby/Anderson Theatre
20900 Oakwood Blvd. | Dearborn, MI 48124-4088

WWJ/FOX 2 Business Editor Murray Feldman moderates a two-panel discussion on Detroit's future in moving freight and moving people. How can Detroit's existing infrastructure be leveraged to drive economic growth for the region? How do plans for the Aerotropolis, the Port of Detroit, Customs and borders play a role in Detroit's transportation future?

Featured Speakers Include:

• Dick Blouse, President & CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber
• Heather Carmona, Executive Director, Woodward Avenue Action Association
• Dan Deane, President, Nicholson Terminal & Dock, Inc.
• Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive, on the Aerotropolis Concept
• John Hertel, CEO, Regional Transit Coordinating Council
• Marc Higginbotham, representing Norfolk Southern Corporation, on the Detroit International Freight Terminal project
• Kirk Steudle, Director, Michigan Department of Transportation
• Paul Tait, Executive Director, SEMCOG, 2035 Southeast Michigan Transportation Plan

For more information, please view http://www.wwj.com/pages/2085706.php or call 248-455-7200.

Clean School Buses Press Conference
10am at NextEnergy, Detroit, MI

Media are invited to view examples of the 68 school buses that have been fitted with diesel oxidation catalysts by NextEnergy, Cummins Bridgeway and the Environmental Protection Association to eliminate harmful emissions from Michigan’s environment.

For more information, please contact markb@nextenergy.org or call 313-833-0100, ext. 140.

MDOT/AASHTO Transportation Education Day
All Day, Detroit Science Center, Detroit, MI

The Michigan Department of Transportation and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials will promote transportation careers with AASHTO TRAC program interactive displays, including magnetic levitation, bridge design and motion modules, for school children of all ages. For more information, please contact downerj@michigan.gov or 517-241-3998.