LAS VEGAS – The leaders of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) announced yesterday at AAPEX 2012 that "Driving Change" is the theme for GAAS 2013. Next year’s event will be held May 21-22, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago and is being co-located for the first time with the Aftermarket eForum, which will be held May 22-23, 2013. 
"Change is coming to GAAS 2013," said GAAS chairman, Denny Welvaert. "Not only are we co-locating with the Aftermarket eForum, we have revamped the schedule to include some practical, hands-on breakout sessions on a variety of topics. We are excited about all the changes, including many new speakers and how it will benefit our attendees."
Already confirmed to address GAAS 2013 is Gary Schlossberg, vice president and senior economist at Wells Fargo Bank. Schlossberg is quoted in the financial press and appears on business, radio, and TV programs in the United States, Japan and in the U.K. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Schlossberg worked as a researcher at the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve Board covering international economic conditions.
Also scheduled to speak is Strategic Mindshare Founder and President, Cynthia Cohen, a prominent business strategist. Considered one of the nation’s leading authorities on consumer trends and strategic marketing, her areas of expertise include market positioning, branding, e-commerce and business strategy. She is also known for her groundbreaking research on the buying habits of ethnic consumers, Boomer women, Generation Y and tweens, the consumer group Cohen named the “Speeders.”
The Aftermarket eForum will begin immediately after GAAS concludes on May 22 with an afternoon general session addressing executive-level IT and ebusiness topics. The eForum will conclude on May 23 with a variety of breakout sessions that explore technology issues in greater depth. Attendees will be able to attend either event separately, or register for both. GAAS subject matter will examine the latest business and economic issues facing the aftermarket, while the eForum will continue to address IT and e-business topics.
The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, now in its 18th year, brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the worldwide automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. Each year, the net proceeds of GAAS are invested in the organization’s scholarship fund to help students get their automotive aftermarket career started. Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. To date GAAS, has awarded scholarships to more than 1,600 students representing $1.6 million in aid.
