CHICAGO, Ill. – Organizers of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) and AAIA’s Aftermarket eForum have reached an agreement to co-locate their two separate events in 2013. 
Under the agreement, GAAS will hold its day and a half event from May 21-22, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago. Day two of GAAS, on May 22, will include a keynote presentation on technology that would benefit attendees at either event. The second day of GAAS will also include several breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including technology.
The Aftermarket eForum will begin immediately after GAAS concludes on May 22 with an afternoon general session addressing executive-level IT and e-business topics. The eForum will conclude on May 23 with a variety of breakout sessions that explore technology issues in greater depth.
“We are excited to bring together two of the industry’s leading events in order to help reduce industry travel expenses, but more importantly it provides us with the opportunity to present subject matter that appeals to both audiences,” said GAAS Chairman Denny Welvaert. “We believe holding these events back-to-back is a winning proposition for everyone in the aftermarket.”
GAAS subject matter will examine the latest business and economic issues facing the aftermarket, while the eForum will continue to address IT and e-business topics.
"Technology is the common element that runs through every important business strategy and decision," said Scott Luckett, AAIA chief information officer. "It is so appropriate to join eForum and GAAS into a single educational opportunity for our industry leaders. We are also excited about joining the proceeds from the Aftermarket eForum with those of the Global Symposium to benefit industry scholarships for automotive students.”
The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, now in its 18th year, brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the worldwide automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. Each year, the net proceeds of GAAS are invested in the organization’s scholarship fund to help students get their automotive aftermarket career started. Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. To date, GAAS has awarded scholarships to more than 1,600 students representing $1.6 million in aid.
The Aftermarket eForum, first produced by AAIA in 2000, aims to present relevant e-business and technology topics to IT and business decision-makers. The conference format includes keynote presentations by respected leaders in the aftermarket and beyond, as well as technical breakout sessions and workshops.
Attendees will be able to attend either event separately, or register for both. More details on the agreement will be announced later.
