RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) has expanded “The Inside Track: AAPEX Learning Forum” for 2010 to feature more than 30 seminars, including three organized for aftermarket suppliers sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the AASA Overseas Automotive Council (OAC).
AAPEX 2010 is slated for Nov. 2-4 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.
“AASA is pleased to sponsor educational seminars that focus on issues relevant to the automotive aftermarket supplier and their channel partners,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO, AASA. “Our excellent speaker line-up this year offers all attendees high-level insights on integrating future technologies, supplying repair shops and capitalizing on global markets.”
The seminars, which are free and open to all AAPEX attendees, will be held at the Venetian Hotel, on the Venetian/Palazzo Congress Center Level 1, Marco Polo Rooms 701-706.
Ken Hamann of Link Engineering Co., a former GM executive, will discuss “New Vehicle Technologies and Their Impact on the Aftermarket” from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Hamann’s session will feature an in-depth look at the potential future of integrated controls and how these potential developments will influence the aftermarket industry, and how suppliers should consider delivering them to the marketplace.
Bill Haas, Automotive Service Association (ASA), will present “They Want What? Meeting the Expectations of Service Shop Owners and Technicians” from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Haas will detail the changing demands of today’s repair shops, which part of the supply chain is best positioned to meet these needs and how suppliers can position themselves to better serve and support tomorrow’s successful repair shops.
The third AASA session, “Hot International Markets: The Automotive Aftermarket in China, Brazil and Mexico,” will be presented from 7:30-9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4. This panel discussion, moderated by Ernest & Young on behalf of the AASA Overseas Automotive Council, will provide attendees with market updates and analysis for China, Brazil and Mexico; a description of forces affecting the aftermarket in these three countries; and a future perspective on the aftermarket in these areas.
Moderated by Mike Hanley, partner and global automotive leader, Ernst & Young, panelists include:
• Joe DeSantino, president, JDS Worldwide;
• Ed Szubielski, vice president, Latin America and the International Aftermarket, Federal Mogul; and
• Dr. Timothy Weckesser, president and CEO, Sino-Consulting.
The full list of AAPEX Learning Forum offerings is available at the AAPEX website.
Complete details on all AASA activities at AAPEX 2010 can be found at the AASA AAPEX portal.
