LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Ozark Mountains surrounding Branson, Mo., set the stage for the 2013 Bumper to Bumper Business & Education Conference presented by Crow-Burlingame Co. and Parts Warehouse Inc. Company store managers and sales personnel, independent jobber store owners, and Bumper to Bumper certified service center owners assembled at the event for training on products, programs and business management topics.
 
The conference spanned three days and was held under the theme of “Automotive Super Stars.” The conference featured John Washbish, Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance president and CEO, as the keynote speaker. Events included an evening vendor expo; breakout sessions on topics such as inventory optimization tools, utilization of the newest sales and management technology, and new products; and an in-depth general session on brand positioning.  
 
The highlight of the evening for the 650 attendees, vendors and guests assembled for the closing dinner was the awarding of grand prizes to two lucky qualifying store operators. Capping a hugely successful ACDelco sales program dubbed “The $50K Giveaway,” 24 stores qualified for the drawing of a 2013 Honda ATV, which was awarded to Peggie Blocker of Westlake, La. From an additional field of 16 qualified operators, a fully loaded 2013 Chevrolet Silverado pickup was won by Armand Burch of Ruston, La. Burch and Blocker, both managers of company-owned stores, were randomly selected from a field of independent store owners and company managers who were the top sales qualifiers during the program period.
 
Several vendors were recognized for their exceptional contributions during the 2012 sales year:
·      Outstanding Manpower: Gates Rubber Co.
·      Marketing Support: ACDelco                
·      Private Label Vendor: Valvoline
·      Best Customer Service: MPA
·      Vendor of the Year – Gold Category: Standard Motor Products
·      Vendor of the Year – Silver Category: Continental Battery Co.