RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Jay Timmons, new president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), is the latest confirmed speaker for the 2011 Vision Conference (VisCon), hosted by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). The 2011 VisCon is set for Wednesday, March 30, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill.
Timmons will discuss the business, economic and manufacturing outlook for 2011, especially in light of the changing political landscape in Washington and the states.
“We are looking forward to Jay’s insights at AASA VisCon,” said AASA President and COO Steve Handschuh. “His extensive experience as NAM’s executive vice president, and now its president and CEO, gives him a unique perspective into government relations, public affairs, political campaigns and business – and the issues facing aftermarket suppliers.”
The theme of the 2011 AASA VisCon is “Aftermarket 2020: Compelling Insights for the Next Decade.” The event’s theme and presentations will center on the release of AASA’s new analysis report, “Aftermarket 2020,” produced by Booz & Co., which will be distributed exclusively to the association’s supplier members.
In addition to Timmons, confirmed speakers and presentations to date include:
• Aftermarket 2020 Overview: Evan Hirsh, vice president, Booz & Co.
• Aftermarket 2020 highlight discussions moderated by Hirsh:
o Industry Consolidation: Bruce Cole, president, Exide Americas; Joe Pomaranski, vice president, North American aftermarket, Tenneco Inc., and Dennis Welvaert, president of Dayco Products LLC
o Part Complexities and Impact on Servicing Vehicles: 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.
o Low-Cost Country Sourcing: 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
• John R. Washbish, president and CEO of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance (The Alliance): keynote customer presentation
• Marketing Your Parts through e-Tailers: Shane Evangelist, CEO of U.S. Auto Parts Network, and Famous Rhodes, director of eBay Motors;
• Service dealer panel discussion moderated by Mitch Schneider, award-winning automotive journalist, shop owner and ASE-certified master automotive technician, featuring Charles Hartogh, ASE-Certified Master Technician, Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) and president / co-founder, C & M Auto Service Inc., Glenview, Ill.; and Diane Larson, owner/manager of Larson’s Service, Peabody, Mass.
• AASA Know Your Parts Campaign Update: Terry McCormack, president and CEO Affinia Group Inc.
• OptiCat Progress Report: Jay Burkhart, senior vice president, global aftermarket, Federal-Mogul Corp.
• Opening presentation: David Coolidge, AASA chairman and executive vice president, Americas, Global Automotive Aftermarket Division, Bosch Group
AASA VisCon 2011 opens with a board reception on the evening of Tuesday, March 29. This annual event is open to all Vision Conference attendees and members who attended council and group meetings on March 29.
VisCon will begin the morning of March 30 with a networking breakfast, followed by the program of keynote presentations and panel discussion. The event will conclude Wednesday evening with a networking reception.
Ernst & Young is the conference premier sponsor, and R.L. Polk is the luncheon sponsor for the event. The AASA VisCon provides many promotional opportunities for solution providers, affiliate and associate members. For details, click here.
The VisCon hotel room rate of $159 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare is guaranteed until Monday, March 7. After that date, reservations are subject to availability. Hotel reservations can be made by clicking here.
A complete conference agenda including speakers, panelists and presentation topics can be found at the Vision website.
