For its third consecutive year, ‘The MAIN Event’ successfully kicked off the North American International Auto Show, on January 13 at historic Orchestra Hall, Detroit.  Dassault Systèmes (3DS) and its Transportation & Mobility / CATIA team members were featured prominently.  Unlike other industry events, MAIN not only celebrates industry executive excellence, but also rewards the ‘next generation’ of industry leaders via vehicle development competition and $100,000 in Ford Motor Company sponsored scholarships.

Highlight of the invitation-only event was multi-industry innovator, Elon Musk, CEO Tesla Motors & SPACEX, who accepted the award for ‘Industry Executive of the Year’ (see below).  ‘Industry Innovator of the Year’ went to Moray Callum, Ford’s Executive Director of Design, for his team’s many achievements in global vehicle platform development.

Dassault Systèmes, as charter sponsor, was well represented at this industry celebration.  Andre Clemons, well-known industry designer from the 3DS industrial design team, presented the 3DS ‘Next Generation of Industry Innovation’ nominees and award winner (see below).  Phil Borchard, from the 3DS North American sales team, presented strategic industry developments and our 3DEXPERIENCE solutions for the Transportation & Mobility industry.  And Paul Silver, from 3DS Transportation & Mobility Global Industry Marketing, served as both host and program manager for the popular event.

Previous MAIN Event industry award winners have included such executive luminaries as Peter Horbury, Vice-President of Volvo Design, Bob Lutz, former Vice-Chairman of General Motors, and student-turned-Ford-designer Jason Falenski, awarded for his innovation on the ‘Ford Sidewinder’ developed with 3DS solutions.