RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — John Washbish, president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (Alliance), will present the keynote customer address at the 2011 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Vision Conference, set for Wednesday, March 30, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill.

“John will bring a unique perspective to our 2011 event and will speak from his experiences of senior management at a major aftermarket manufacturer and a top aftermarket customer organization,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “His keen observations and sharp intellect have made John a much anticipated and popular speaker at many aftermarket forums, and we are pleased to have him on our Vision 2011 agenda.”

"Aftermarket 2020" to be released at AASA Vision Conference 2011
Also at the AASA Vision Conference 2011, the association will release to members what it describes as landmark AASA analysis – “Aftermarket 2020.” Evan Hirsh, vice president of the global management consulting firm Booz & Co., which published the report for AASA, will be a keynote speaker at the conference. His presentation will focus on the conference theme, “Aftermarket 2020: Compelling Insights for the Next Decade.” AASA members who attend Vision will receive complimentary copies of the report’s executive summary.

“We have centered the 2011 AASA Vision Conference around ‘Aftermarket 2020’ because it is unlike any other research available to the aftermarket today. It is an essential strategic planning tool for AASA members and will provide a realistic description of the automotive aftermarket over the next decade,” Handschuh explained. “‘Aftermarket 2020’ and the AASA Vision Conference will provide our members with actionable information and concrete recommendations – allowing them to seize opportunities and manage risk in difficult times.”

In addition to his keynote overview of the report, Hirsh will moderate panel discussions that will dive deeper into the report’s findings.

Joe Pomaranski, vice president, North American aftermarket, Tenneco Inc., and Dennis Welvaert, president of Dayco Products LLC, will participate as panelists in a discussion on industry consolidation. The panel, “Part Complexities and Impact on Servicing Vehicles,” will include Craig Breese, president, Consumer Products Group, Honeywell Consumer Products Group; Michael McGrath, president of SKF, VSM Business Unit, NA; and Tom Ward, president, repair systems and information group, Snap-on Inc.

Jay Sanchez, president, Remy Power Products, Remy International Aftermarket Division, and Keith Wilson, president, Affinia Global Filtration, Wix Filtration Products, a division of Affinia Underhood, will discuss “Low-Cost Country Sourcing,” the third “Aftermarket 2020” panel.

Additional AASA Vision Conference speakers
Additional featured speakers at AASA Vision Conference 2011 will be Shane Evangelist of U.S. Auto Parts Network and Famous Rhodes of eBay Motors. These major aftermarket e-tailers will discuss how suppliers can take advantage of the growing online retailing segment during their panel presentation, “Marketing Your Parts through e-Tailers.” Mitch Schneider, award-winning automotive journalist, shop owner and ASE-certified master automotive technician, will moderate a service dealer panel.

Terry McCormack, CEO, president and director, Affinia Group Inc., will provide an update on Know Your Parts, the AASA industry education and awareness campaign.

Jay Burkhart, senior vice president, global aftermarket, Federal-Mogul Corp., will present an update on the successful progress of OptiCat, the industry’s “do-it-once” data repository.

David Coolidge, executive vice president, Americas, Global Automotive Aftermarket Division, Bosch Group, and AASA chairman, will give the opening presentation at the conference.

The conference, exclusive to AASA member-companies, will kick off with a welcome reception on the evening of Tuesday, March 29, following meetings of the AASA Board of Governors and AASA councils. The program will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning with a networking breakfast, followed by keynote addresses, customer presentations and discussions of trends and challenges affecting automotive aftermarket suppliers.

Online registration for AASA Vision Conference 2011 is now open for AASA members only at the conference website, www.aasavision.org. The Vision Conference hotel room rate at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare is $159, which is guaranteed until Monday, March 7. After that date, rooms can be reserved subject to availability.

Ernst & Young is the conference premier sponsor, and R.L. Polk is the luncheon sponsor.

The AASA Vision Conference provides many promotional opportunities for solution providers, affiliate and associate members. For details, click here.