Seminars

Porsche Parade is more than driving your Porsche and spending time with your PCA friends. There are many opportunities to learn about your Porsche through a series of seminars featuring a variety of topics and special guests that you can only find at Porsche Parade. Past speakers include representatives from Porsche AG, Porsche Cars North America, engineers and designers from the Porsche Factory, experts from Hagerty Insurance, race car drivers, and celebrities. You will not want to miss these special events!

Seminar Schedule:

Seminar Schedule in PDF - updated July 1
 

Porsche Design Timepiece Seminars
Design Your Dream Sports Car for your Wrist - reserve your exclusive timepiece experience at Porsche Parade

The dream of designing a custom-built Timepiece that perfectly matches your dream sports car has come true. Create your own masterpiece and choose from 1.5 million design options. The result? Exclusive, high-performance chronographs that bear so much more than the typical signature of Porsche and Porsche Design, namely your own.

Meet the Timepiece experts from Porsche Design and schedule your exclusive 30-minute Timepiece Experience at Parade. Learn about the latest innovations, including the custom-built Timepieces program and new Sport Chrono package Timepiece options. Configure your dream sports car for the wrist. Book your personal experience today at rsvp@porsche-design.com. Space is limited.

Available Dates & Times:
Monday, July 12: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Tuesday, July 13: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday, July 14: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Located at the Porsche Design Timepiece booth - Porsche Parade Hospitality & Exhibit Hall, French Lick Hoosier Ballroom

The James Dean "Hoosier" Tribute Forum

The James Dean "Hoosier" Tribute Forum will focus on paying homage to one of the first Hollywood celebrities to become a Porsche 356 Speedster owner and amateur racer during 1955.

James Dean was born in Marion, Indiana, in 1931 and grew up in nearby Fairmount, about 60 miles north of Indianapolis. He was raised by his Aunt and Uncle on the large Winslow family farm during his elementary and high school pre-teenage years. James Dean was always interested in motor vehicles, starting with the family tractors and then motorbikes and motorcycles during his high school years.

We hope to display James Dean's California Sports Car Club trophies and racing memorabilia from 1955 that have been preserved and displayed at the Fairmount Historical Museum in Fairmount, Indiana. Also shown will be James Dean's rare photos at the races during the filming of three of his major films, East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.

The James Dean Forum will be an  interaction event with guest speakers and presenters: James Dean's first cousing, Mark WInslow; Porsche author and racer, Susann Miller; Porsche NA, Classic Car Manager, Ray Shafer; and Porsche 356/James Dean Historian and author, Lee Raskin.

The Forum will have a casual format with in-person and virtual presenters. Attendees will have ample opportunity to ask questions about James Dean's background, acting career, motorcycle ownership, and racing endeavors with his Porsche 356 Super Speedster and his intended participation with his Porsche 550 Spyder. The Forum  will not entertain questions concerning James Dean's tragic accident and resulting death.

This James Dean Tribute will be a unique and first-time event for everyone.

 

Seminar: Street Survival with Rob Price, PCA Street Survival Coordinator
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading killer of American youths ages 16 to 19, accounting for more than 40 percent of fatalities in that age range. To address this problem, the BMW CCA Education Foundation developed Tire Rack Street Survival, a non-profit, national driver education program aimed at teaching teens the skills they need to stay alive behind the wheel. PCA, along with BMW CCA and SCCA host classes based on this curriculum all over the US and Canada.

PCA Street Survival Coordinator, Rob Price, from Austin, TX Hill Country PCA Region will host a session on the PCA Street Survival program.  Whether you’re a seasoned TRSS veteran or are learning about it for the first time, come join us and learn about this awesome experience - the only one in PCA that puts 16 and 17-year-old drivers in a driver’s seat. Rob will cover what TRSS is, what it takes to host classes in your region and stories about the many successes and fun times that come from this program.

All ages are welcome and there will be a special offer to take a hot lap in a class-record holding vehicle at Circuit of the Americas.

West Baden Townhall - The Saving of the "Dome"
Joseph J. Vezzoso, Vice President Sales, French Lick Resort - Moderator

You are invited to learn more about West Baden, it's famous Dome, and details about American’s love of domed buildings from:
Jeff Lane, French Lick Resort Historian - while working as a teacher, Jeff also worked with Indiana Landmarks prior to restoration efforts, giving historic tours. Jeff is an area native and his in-depth knowledge of the West Baden Hotel will be shared during the seminar.

Tina Connor, retired Indiana Landmarks - Tina worked with Indiana Landmarks and through her previous connection with Bill and Gayle Cook, she made the inital contact with the request to them to help sae West Baden Springs Hotel. SHe will share her story as the multiple phases of the restoration began.

George Ridgeway, Cook Group Architect & Engineer - George has been involved in almost every Coo building project, from concept to completion. His ex[lanation of the extraoridnary feat in saving and then restoring West Baden Springs Hotel will take you on a journey from the ground up.

Gayle Cook, owner of Cook Group Incorporated, including French Lick Springs Resort - Mrs. Cook and her husband Bill were intricately involved in all decisions made to restore this magnificent hotel. Mrs. Cook has a fascination in the Mystique of Domes, and this project is one of her favorite restorations to date. One thing she finds very interesting is the story of the hub and its hidden mystery.

Steve Ferguson, CEO Cook Group Incorporated, including French Lick Resort - As CEO, Steve must be concerned with not only the financial well-being of the project, but also the community involvement and engagement for all projects. Steve will share how the West Baden Springs Hotel helped a failing community to thrive and how the resort continues to add value to the area.