BETHESDA, MD — The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is urging aftermarket executives and managers to attend three very important events scheduled to take place in 2005.

AAIA has rated the Aftermarket Legislative Summit, the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) and the Aftermarket eForum as ‘must-attend’ events for aftermarket executives and managers to stay in tune with the latest technology trends, management solutions and legislative initiatives.

“Information is king in our industry and the best informed executives and business owners have a distinct advantage over those who are behind the times,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “Update your PDA and Outlook or mark your desktop calendar to include attendance at what we believe are the three most valuable networking, political and professional development events of the year.”

The 2005 Aftermarket Legislative Summit will take place on March 1-2 in Washington, D.C. More than 200 executives are already signed up to attend this critical event, where the industry comes together in the nation’s capital. The Summit begins the evening of March 1 with a reception on Capitol Hill, where attendees will network with elected officials and their staffs in a casual atmosphere. The next morning begins at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce across from the White House, where attendees will be fully briefed on the issues at the center of the Summit and will be given preview on what to expect that day. Attendees will then be bussed to Capitol Hill to spend the rest of the day meeting with their elected officials.

For more information or to register, visit www.aftermarket.org, or call the Legislative Summit staff at 301-654-6664.

The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), slated to take place May 11-12 in Chicago, will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, with the theme, “Lessons from the Past, Perspectives on the Future.”

At GAAS, attendees will observe panel discussions on manufacturing best practices, the service and repair challenge and retail/wholesale distribution trends. This year’s GAAS will feature such prominent speakers as MIT economist Lester Thurow, James Press of Toyota Motor Sales USA, Northwood University president Dr. David Fry and Washington Redskins head football coach Joe Gibbs. A host of industry leaders including Joe Felicelli, Gordon Fenwick, Steve Odland, David O’Reilly, Larry Pavey, Larry Samuelson, Temple Sloan, III, Doug Washbish, Bruce Zorich and more will also lend their perspectives on the aftermarket. Net proceeds from GAAS go toward scholarships to benefit students preparing for automotive aftermarket careers.

For more information or to register, visit www.globalsymposium.org.

The third event AAIA encourages aftermarket professionals to attend is the Aftermarket eForum, which will take place on July 19-21 in Chicago. Conveniently held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, the eForum delivers information about e-commerce and supply chain technologies for decision makers in the vehicle aftermarket. Presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions will provide industry-specific content for professionals from aftermarket manufacturers, retailers, distributors and service retailers. In addition to valuable strategic take-aways, attendees can enjoy networking and business development opportunities during the two-and-a-half-day event. The eForum is industry sponsored and produced with 100 percent of the proceeds invested in industry programs and services.

For more information or to register, contact Barbara Clark at 301-654-6664, or e-mail [email protected].

More information on all of these events is available on the AAIA Web site at www.aftermarket.org, or by calling 301-654-6664.

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