MSC.Software Corp., the leading global provider of virtual product development (VPD) products including simulation software and services, today announced the keynote speakers for its 2004 Worldwide VPD Conferences being held in Huntington Beach, California; Munich, Germany; Tokyo, Japan and other locations worldwide. These premiere industry events will bring together thousands of engineering professionals to share their knowledge, best practices and views concerning the future of design and simulation in the automotive, aerospace, defense, rail, shipbuilding and other industrial manufacturing industries. Business executives, engineering managers and product development experts from more than 2000 companies have committed to presentations during these multi-day events. Current keynote speakers include: North America -- October 18-20, Huntington Beach California: * Larry Achram, Vice President, Virtual Engineering and Chrysler Crossfire, DaimlerChrysler Corporation * Nancy Gioia, Engineering Director, Small FWD and RWD Vehicle Platforms, Ford Motor Company * Frank Statkus, Vice President, Advanced Technologies and Processes, Boeing Commercial Aircraft Japan -- November 8-9, Tokyo, Japan: * Dr. Bernd Hessing, Technical University of Munich * Dr. G.Q. (Kouchi) Zhang, Philips Center for Industrial Technology and Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Eindhoven Europe -- November 22-24, Munich, Germany * Dr. Jean-Francois Imbert, Vice President, Airbus, France * Dr. Ralf Brunken, Executive Director, Volkswagen AG, Germany * Mr. Steef Klein, Chief Information Officer, Meyn Food Processing, Netherlands With more than 2,000 engineering professionals expected to attend the worldwide VPD Conferences provide unsurpassed opportunities for networking with colleagues who face common product development challenges and share like-interests in engineering processes and technologies. Conference highlights include; Keynote Presentations, Management and Technical Presentations, Special Interest Groups, Breakfast & Learn Seminars, Technical Workshops and User Forums, Partner Exhibits, Social Activities and Networking. Complete conference details for each major region as well as early registration discounts are available on-line at: http://vpd2004.mscsoftware.com/