Top thinker, author Malcolm Gladwell to speak at Detroit Auto Show’s Mobility Global Forum

Malcolm Gladwell, global thinker and author, has been announced as the featured speaker at the North American International Detroit Auto Show’s Mobility Global Forum.

Gladwell, who is set to speak at the forum Sept. 14, is the author of six New York Times bestsellers. He is one of Foreign Policy’s Top Global Thinkers, along with being named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people in 2005.

“We’re extremely pleased to launch the first year of our Mobility Global Forum with a phenomenal best-selling author who has taken the business world by storm,” Thad Szott said in a news release. Szott is the chairman of the Detroit auto show. “Mr. Gladwell’s presentation, together with the incredible roster of speakers we have planned over two days, will provide a compelling look at the dynamic world of new mobility and our place in it.”

Author of "The Tipping Point," Malcolm Gladwell is featured in GM's new ad campaign promoting electric vehicles.

The forum itself will take place Sept. 13-14 during the auto show’s Technology Days. It will feature mobility, technology and design conversations from more than 30 thought leaders, policymakers, experts, executives and CEOs. Companies like Walker-Miller Energy Services, Cox Automotive, Pininfarina S.p.A., American Center for Mobility, BBB Industries and Google are expected to have a presence or be represented during the two-day event, a news release said.

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Some of the conversations are focused on “driving the future with equitable clean mobility,” “sustainable growth and innovation through design and racing” and “sustainable manufacturing of components driving our clean energy and mobility future.”

The forum will also host the EyesOn Design Awards during the afternoon of Sept. 13 and the Plug and Play Detroit Pitch Night Competition toward the end of the day Sept. 14.

The Mobility Global Forum is accessible through the purchase of Technology Days tickets, which can be purchased for $75 per day at naias.com/buy-tickets. The hours for the two Technology Days are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.