BALTIMORE, Md. – The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance convened its Summer Meeting at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront hotel today before a record number of attendees. More than 200 distributor member personnel representing all 54 group shareholders joined with nearly 250 supplier channel partners, making it the largest such event in the organization’s history. 
The four-day event brings together members of the Alliance to focus on working together to further develop their many award-winning programs and initiatives. Standing committees meet to brainstorm and develop plans on subjects ranging from products to branding to national accounts and e-commerce. 
“Our summer meeting is an outstanding event that enables our shareholders to roll up their sleeves and tackle some of the serious issues facing us as a group,” said John R. Washbish, president and CEO of the Alliance. “It gives us the opportunity to bring our heads together and push our collaborative endeavors forward, as well as celebrate some of our accomplishments.”
Key among those accomplishments being celebrated was the remarkable achievement of the Alliance and its shareholders winning the coveted R. L. Polk Inventory Efficiency Award for the fourth consecutive year. Personnel from shareholder members Automotive Parts Headquarters, Performance Warehouse and Auto-Wares joined with headquarters staff representing the last four winners of the award. 
“Winning the Polk award a record four times in a row is both a remarkable, yet humbling accomplishment,’” said Dale Hopkins, Alliance vice president and CIO. "It validates the hard work of our IT team both at headquarters and at our shareholder locations. But as I said, it is humbling at the same time. We understand how difficult it is to be recognized by the panel of our peers who grant the award. Our success only makes us more dedicated to continue to push to improve our group efforts and technology.”
As the Alliance meeting continues, the program will feature presentations on product and category management, information technology and e-commerce and branding and marketing. The Tuesday event culminates with a vendor expo and a chowder cook-off where supplier channel partners can interact with shareholders while enjoying some of the finest local seafood from the Chesapeake Bay.
