by Amy Antenora
Editor, aftermarketNews.com
DETROIT —
More than 400 aftermarket professionals gathered in Detroit last week for the 2006 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. The event, held May 17 & 18 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn featured more than 31 speakers, moderators and panelists, who spoke on topics ranging from globalization and outsourcing to marketing and the view from Wall Street. Attendees also enjoyed networking events, including cocktail receptions at the Henry Ford Museum and the Automotive Hall of Fame.
GAAS Chair Jimsey Keith kicks off the 2006 symposium.
Among the highlights of this year’s event was the Distribution Leaders panel, featuring AAIA’s Kathleen Schmatz (moderator), Robert Blair of CARQUEST, Jacques Landreville of Uni-Select, Rollie Olson of Parts Depot and Mike Schultz of Federated Auto Parts.
Delphi’s Frank Ordonez speaks to the crowd during the presentation “Adapting to the Changing Automotive Aftermarket: The Supplier’s Perspective
AAIA’s Kathleen Schmatz presents Pete Kornafel of CARQUEST with an award for his outstanding support of the GAAS scholarships.
AAIA President Emeritus Al Gaspar asks a question from the audience during a Q&A session with Wall Street analyst Jonathan Steinmetz.
Tom Tecklenberg of Honeywell Consumer Products Group chats with Jimsey Keith at the AASA Opening Pitch Reception
AASA Executive Director Steve Handschuh said he felt like a kid again being up on stage with baseball legends Brooks Robinson and Al Kaline.
Bob Gracey of Affinia hams it up for the camera.
Old friends Al Gaspar and Meineke’s Ken Walker catch up at the Opening Pitch reception.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Bob Zang and Sam Okimoto share a laugh.
Photo credits: Brian Cruickshank and Michael Freeze, Counterman magazine.
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