From aftermarketNews Staff
BETHESDA, MD — The upcoming first-ever Aftermarket Financial Symposium (AFS), presented by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and modeled after the highly successful Aftermarket eForum, will be geared toward CFOs, financial service providers, investment analysts, CPA firms and others with interests in the automotive aftermarket.
aftermarketNews.com recently sat down with Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA and Susan Medick, chief financial and operations officer, AAIA, to find out what attendees can expect at the symposium.
What sets AFS apart from other educational events?
Kathleen Schmatz: AFS is a unique new initiative that will bring together the very best minds in the financial community from within and outside of our industry. AFS will feature specialized topics and opportunities, focused specifically on the aftermarket financial community.
What are your expectations for a first-time event such as the AFS?
KS: We are aiming to fulfill the requests of members to do a superior job in educating the aftermarket financial community with real-world solutions to specifically-aftermarket challenges.
Susan Medick: AFS is a worthwhile benefit that we’re providing for members, in our pursuit to always deliver valuable programs to address and fulfill their needs.
What are the benefits of attending AFS?
KS: The benefits of attending the symposium will be limitless for attendees. It promises to provide unique and exclusive educational opportunities to members of the aftermarket financial community. The valuable and ambitious forum is geared directly toward their needs, and will specifically address their unique, day-to-day challenges.
SM: AFS will provide up-to-date information from a financial aspect in our industry. It will also allow attendees to meet with vendors who can provide valuable business services, and provide an unprecedented opportunity for attendees to meet people who are doing their jobs for other companies, and facing the same challenges.
Q: What areas of finance in the aftermarket will be addressed during the symposium?
KS: Topics range from mergers and acquisitions, to health insurance, to measurement tools. The symposium will offer business value and liquidity, employee benefits, reducing tax liabilities and even a view from Wall Street. Combine all of this with a vendor trade show and fantastic networking opportunities – it couldn’t be more valuable.
Q: What should attendees expect for this first-time event?
KS: We will over-deliver and exceed attendees’ expectations regarding content and perspective.
SM: We want attendees to be thrilled with the information they obtain during the symposium, as well as gain valuable contacts and take advantage of the networking opportunities.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like attendees to know about the Aftermarket Financial Symposium?
KS: In addition to the ambitious lineup of speakers and seminars, AFS will have a full vendor show with exhibitors including banks, accounting firms and insurance and service providers, and provide valuable networking time. Additionally, Northwood University, in conjunction with Alvarez & Marsal, will present a pre-seminar on Tuesday, Sept. 6 called “Using Balanced Scorecards to Fuel Business Strategy and Delivery Results,” and a lunch and presentation is available on day two, dealing with “Selling Your Business for Maximum Value,” presented by Citigroup Geneval Capital Strategies. The Aftermarket Financial Symposium guarantees unparalleled opportunities for one-of-a-kind, fresh perspectives and best practices – valuable take-aways for attendees’ bottom lines.
The symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago on Wednesday, Sept. 7 and Thursday, Sept. 8. For more information, contact Barbara Clark at 301-654-6664 or e-mail [email protected]. To register online, visit aftermarket.org.
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