17th Annual Urban Wheel Awards Honor Women in the Auto Industry Today

The 17th Annual Urban Wheel Awards (UWA), the official multicultural event of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), will host its annual awards show today, January 13, 2013 at MotorCity Casino Hotel's Sound Board in Detroit, Mich.

The Annual Urban Wheel Awards, a world class premier networking event and global marketing initiative, is attended by more than 2,500 guests, including media, automotive executives, businesses, politicians, celebrities, and community and trade organizations, who come together to promote multicultural consumer awareness of auto manufacturers, vehicles, technology, suppliers, dealers, and community service.

"Our mission is to ensure efforts in all aspects of diversity are honored and rewarded with the Urban Wheel Awards. For seventeen years, this has been the only event held during the NAIAS promoting and celebrating diversity and inclusion in the auto industry. We are extremely honored to dedicate this year's event to women in recognition of their significant accomplishments and success in the automotive industry." said Randi Payton, UWA founder.

The evening will begin at 4:00 p.m. with a vehicle exhibit, followed by the 5:00 p.m. celebrity Red Carpet and VIP and General receptions at 5:30 p.m. and the awards show will take place from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. An afterglow networking reception will conclude the evening. Awards will be presented for Dealer of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Executive of the Year, Companies of the Year, and the Urban Car, Truck and Green Vehicle of the Year. This year, two new awards will also be presented; Designer of the Year and Engineer of the Year.

Proceeds from the UWA support the Emerging Diversity Education Fund to provide scholarships, internships, and mentoring support for ethnic minority college students pursuing careers in communications and the auto industry.

Tickets ($250.00, $125.00 and $75.00) at all Ticketmaster locations and Ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets by phone, call (800) 745­-3000. Tickets are also available through the Sound Board Box Office Friday-Sunday.

For more information, visit www.UrbanWheelAwards.com. Event or sponsorship details can be obtained at (301) 850­-2858 or events@urbanwheelawards.com. For media information, contact pr@urbanwheelawards.com.