Multi Parts Names SPARK2018 Selectees

Multi Parts has announced that for this, the Spark initiative’s fifth year, a total of 13 aftermarket students will attend AAPEX, Oct. 29-31 in Las Vegas. The company said year’s selection process was hyper-focused on students who demonstrated interest in pursuing professional careers in the core business areas of the automotive aftermarket, including product development, marketing, sales, finance, entrepreneurship, information technology and human resources.

“Industry growth is predicated on recruiting and retaining these positions,” says Multi Parts President Brian Cohn. “This is especially important in our narrow corner of the automotive industry. We know that when students experience the aftermarket from the inside out, interest follows. There is no better place than AAPEX for aspiring aftermarket professionals to see the reality and potential of this industry and explore its near endless career opportunities.”

The brainchild of Multi Parts Chairman Barry Cohn, the Multi Parts underwritten SPARK initiative has grown from six selectees in 2014’s inaugural year to 13 this year, bringing the total number of participants since inception to 51 students. A dynamic one-of-a-kind introduction to the aftermarket, SPARK provides the selectees with specifically designed and developed programming at the AAPEX show, meet and greet opportunities with key industry leadership, as well as outings during the show orchestrated and hosted by Multi Parts’ team members. Among the various activities planned for this year, the Luminary Lunch promises to include some of the biggest names in the aftermarket.

“Each year that we are able to connect more talented young people to the industry icons in manufacturing, distribution and the associations, is a win for the aftermarket,” said Barry Cohn. “When they see our industry presented on full display at AAPEX, they really get it and want to be a part of it. That’s the power of SPARK.”

The SPARK2018 Selectees are: