January 19-28, 2024 / Washington DC, Convention Center

About the Conference

As the “public policy show” on the global auto show circuit, the Washington, D.C. Auto Show advances its 10-day consumer event with an exclusive look at the people and policies shaping the U.S. auto industry. The exclusive event, geared toward officials in government, industry and media, launch just prior to the show’s public opening and encompass special announcements, fireside chats, and panel discussions focusing on the current state of the country’s essential automotive sector and its future initiatives. Make sure to register today. All sessions will be held in the EV Pavilion, located in Hall B on the lower level of the Convention Center.

shape divider

Conference Schedule

Time Session
12:00pm - 12:30pm

Check-In & Lunch

Join us for a networking lunch prior to the start of the agenda.

12:30pm - 12:50pm

Opening Keynote

Senator Tom Carper (D-Del)

The 2023 Public Policy Day will kick off with a keynote by Senator Tom Carper.

12:50pm - 1:05pm

Toyota Announcement

Jason Keller, Director – Dealer Policy, Government Affairs with Toyota Motor North America will announce the East Coast reveal of the Toyota Prius Prime.

1:05pm - 1:15pm

Lamborghini Announcement

Lamborghini Urus Performante Launch

1:15pm - 1:30pm

Bentley Announcement

Bentley Bentayga EWB Launch

1:30pm - 1:55pm

Fireside Chat

Fireside chat with:

  • Michael Berube, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation, Department of Energy
  • Dave Shepardson with Reuters.
1:55pm - 2:25pm

Best Cars for the Money Awards

US News & World Report will announce the 2023 Best Cars for the Money Awards.

2:25pm - 2:40pm

Coffee Break

2:40pm - 3:10pm

Fireside Chat

Fireside chat with:

  • Gabe Klein, Executive Director, Joint Office of Energy and Transportation
  • Andrew Mayock, Federal Chief Sustainability Officer, White House
  • Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, Senior Resident Fellow for Climate and Energy Program, Third Way.
3:10pm - 3:40pm

EV Policies Supporting US Competitiveness

This panel will feature experts discussing US competitiveness in EVs along the entire supply chain and the benefits to the EV market and job growth from both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Chips and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. As part of this discussion, Alex Laska will discuss a recent study on US EV competitiveness and policies that support it.

Panelists:

  • Alex Laska, Senior Transportation Policy Advisor, Third Way
  • Betsey Stevenson, Professor of Economics, University of Michigan, Ford School of Public Policy
  • Omar Vargas, Vice President & Head of Global Public Policy, General Motors Corporation

Moderator:

  • Shannon Osaka, Washington Post
3:40pm - 4:10pm

Supporting Clean Vehicle Transition

The panel will focus on automakers and government commitments and investments towards increased sales of cleaner vehicles by 2030. This panel will feature experts discussing the realities of how we are going to overcome the challenges of this transition and what is needed to reach the industry EV goals, comply with the “Buy America” restrictions of the IRA, work with our allies to accomplish our shared goals and meet the challenges of sourcing component parts and ultimately persuading customers to transition to EV’s.

Panelists:

  • Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
  • Cody Lusk, President, American International
    Automobile Dealers Association
  • Jeff Werner, Vice President of Corporate &
    Government Affairs, Panasonic
  • Harry Lightsey, Secretary of Commerce, South Carolina

Moderator:

  • Jennifer Safavian, President and CEO, Autos Drive America
4:10pm - 4:30pm

Fireside Chat

Fireside chat on technology and how it will continue to advance and evolve the automotive retail experience.

Speakers:

  • Brian Kramer, Executive Vice President, Cars.com – General Manager-Accu-Trade
  • Terry Laughridge, Vice President, Cars.com

Moderator:

  • Dave Shepardson, Reuters
4:30pm - 5:00pm

Closing Keynote

The 2023 Public Policy Day will close with a moderated discussion between Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Nikola, and Dave Shepardson of Reuters

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Auto Show Sneak Peek

Enjoy the full consumer show of the Washington, D.C. Auto Show prior to it opening to the public.

Look at the range of new makes, models, and technologies displayed around the exhibit space at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and interact with automotive industry leaders and other very special guests.

2023 Conference Speakers

  • Senator Tom Carper

    U.S. Senator - Delaware

  • Gabe Klein

    Executive Director

    Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

  • Michael Lohscheller

    CEO

    Nikola Corporation

  • Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis

    Ambassador of the European Union to the United States

  • ANDREW MAYOCK

    Federal Chief Sustainability Officer

    White House

  • MICHAEL BERUBE

    Deputy Assistant Secretary Sustainable Transportation

    Department of Energy

  • Harry Lightsey

    Secretary of Commerce

    South Carolina

  • Brian Kramer

    EVP Cars.com

    General Manager-Accu-Trade

  • Terry Laughridge

    Vice President

    Cars.com

  • Jason Keller

    Director - Dealer Policy, Government Affairs

    Toyota Motor North America

  • Alex Laska

    Senior Transportation Policy Advisor,

    Third Way

  • Omar Vargas

    Vice President & Head of Global Public Policy

    General Motors Corporation

  • Betsey Stevenson

    Professor of Economics

    University of Michigan, Ford School of Public Policy

  • Cody Lusk

    President

    American International Automobile Dealers Association

  • Jeff Werner

    Vice President of Corporate & Government Affairs

    Panasonic

  • Shannon Osaka

    Climate Zeitgeist Reporter

    The Washington Post

  • Jennifer Safavian

    President and CEO

    Autos Drive America

  • Dave Shepardson

    Correspondent

    Reuters

  • Ellen Hughes-Cromwick

    Senior Resident Fellow for Climate and Energy Program

    Third Way

    2023 Conference Sponsors

    JOIN US

    Designated as one of the nation’s top five auto shows by the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, The Washington, D.C. Auto Show® is a world class event that continues to wow audiences with its cutting-edge exhibits, latest model cars, and displays of historic vehicles.