BETHESDA, MD -- The National Catalog Managers Association (NCMA) has joined the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) for the benefit of catalog management professionals throughout the aftermarket industry. The agreement was approved by the full NCMA membership at its recent Knowledge Exchange conference and ratified by the board when they met this week at AAIA headquarters in Bethesda, MD.

"NCMA members will enjoy tremendous benefits from our formal relationship with AAIA," said NCMA President Chris Nierintz, Dorman Products. "The AAIA technology standards are at the heart of what we do and our new relationship with AAIA will allow us to further the industry adoption and understanding of these important programs. NCMA looks forward to using the services of AAIA to better communicate and serve the needs of the catalog management community."

NCMA will be organized as a professional society within AAIA, with membership available to any individual actively engaged in catalog management and employed by an AAIA member company. The NCMA name and identity will be retained, as will the Knowledge Exchange conference, next scheduled for Tampa Bay, FL, May 3-6, 2008.

"AAIA is excited about the decision of NCMA's members to join our association and we are eager to begin serving their needs as a professional society dedicated to the advancement of catalog management," said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. "NCMA represents the power users of the ACES and PIES standards and we welcome the opportunity to support the needs of their profession."

NCMA has enjoyed a long association-management relationship with AAIA, providing services related to membership management, communications and financial management. Scott Luckett, vice president, technology standards and solutions, AAIA, has served as the staff executive for NCMA and will now assume the role of staff liaison to the newest AAIA membership segment. Robert Morris, AAIA, will serve as assistant staff liaison.