RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Steve Handschuh, president and COO of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and Ron Pyle, president of the Automotive Service Association (ASA,) will present "Let’s Talk: Promoting Dialogue Among Suppliers and Technicians" at the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) on Tuesday, May 20, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago.

Handschuh and Pyle will discuss the market shift that has occurred within the past two decades that has led to a decrease in dialogue between aftermarket parts manufacturers and automotive service technicians. During the presentation, Pyle will report on visits made to AutoZone and Auto Value distribution centers in February by the ASA Mechanical Operations committee. Pyle will focus primarily on questions the committee has for these suppliers about how they select parts for their commercial programs. Handschuh will join Pyle to provide commentary, from a manufacturer’s perspective, on questions generated during these visits.

For more information on the 2008 GAAS program, including how to register, go to: www.globalsymposium.org.

Proceeds from attendee registrations for GAAS go to the GAAS scholarship program, which awarded 154 scholarships in 2007. Including the 2007 awards, GAAS has presented more than 1,300 scholarships and more than $1.3 million since it was formed. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at www.automotivescholarships.com.