RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC -- R. L. Polk & Co. has agreed to extend its corporate sponsorship of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) for the next three years. The 2006 event is set for Wednesday and Thursday, May 17-18, at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn, MI.

“We are pleased to have Polk’s support for GAAS,” said Mort Schwartz, GAAS chairman. “Our two-day symposium has a greater purpose. All of the net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. Last year, we marked a significant milestone when the Symposium surpassed $1 million in scholarship funds awarded to more than 1,000 students.

“All of us at Polk are proud to continue our sponsorship of GAAS and be a part of helping develop the next generation of leadership in the aftermarket industry,” said Mike Gingell, vice president strategic markets, R. L. Polk & Co.

Polk also will present its Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award during the 2006 event. Designed to recognize and reward outstanding aftermarket companies for process improvements relative to inventory efficiency, the award was initiated at the 2005 GAAS.

Speakers and registration details will be available soon at globalsymposium.org. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at automotivescholarships.com.

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