RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- The AASA Marketing Executives Council will hold its first meeting from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at The Grace Lodge, located on Visteon’s corporate campus in Van Buren Township, MI.

Marketing executives from any manufacturing member of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) are invited to attend. Attendance will be limited to two representatives per company. There is no cost to attend this initial meeting but pre-registration is required.

The meeting will help explain to AASA members the role the new council will play in driving key AASA and industry initiatives, according to AASA Executive Director Steve Handschuh, who will open the meeting by providing the key strategic issues identified by the AASA Board of Governors.

“There are serious and complex issues facing today’s North American aftermarket supplier and this Council can play an important role in helping identify opportunities, promote collaboration and drive solutions,” he said.

Key areas of discussion on the agenda include:

• Improving the image of the aftermarket supplier and of aftermarket products

• Promoting the “value-added” North American supplier proposition

• Opportunities for new and manufacturer-focused market research

• Standardization of aftermarket industry terms

• Agenda for first annual marketing executives conference (to be held the first quarter of 2007)

For more information on the meeting or to reserve a seat, contact AASA’s Theresa Spera at 919-406-8854 or tspera@mema.org.