Network Amid Automotive History GAAS Reception on May 17

The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Reception scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, will offer participants the opportunity to network with industry colleagues while experiencing automotive history at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI. Sponsored by Universal Underwriters Group and Industrial Market Research, the event concludes the symposium’s first day of presentations by top-level industry leaders and analysts. GAAS participants will be taken from the symposium venue at the Hyatt Regency to the nearby Automotive Hall of Fame via buses, sponsored by BB&T Capital Markets.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Reception scheduled for 5:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, will offer participants the opportunity to network with industry colleagues while experiencing automotive history at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, MI.

Sponsored by Universal Underwriters Group and Industrial Market Research, the event concludes the symposium’s first day of presentations by top-level industry leaders and analysts. GAAS participants will be taken from the symposium venue at the Hyatt Regency to the nearby Automotive Hall of Fame via buses, sponsored by BB&T Capital Markets.

GAAS is the premier industry conference for senior-level aftermarket executives. The 2006 event is set for Wednesday and Thursday, May 17-18, at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn.

Speakers for the event include:

• Michael Cox, Dallas Federal Reserve Bank;

• John Passante, Organizational Development Group;

• Jose Maria Alapont, Federal-Mogul Corp.;

• Dennis Welvaert, Dayco Products;

• Mike Gingell, R.L. Polk & Company;

• Cynthia Cohen, Strategic Mindshares Consulting;

The second annual Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award will be presented by R. L. Polk & Co. during this year’s Symposium, designed to recognize and reward outstanding aftermarket companies for process improvements relative to inventory efficiency.

The program also features panel discussions on important industry issues such as:

• “Adapting to the Changing Automotive Aftermarket: The Supplier’s Perspective” – Moderator: Bob McKenna, president of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association; panelists: Gordon Ulsh, Exide Corp.; Mike Howarth, KYB America; Frank Ordonez, Delphi Corp.; and Al Stecklein, The Gates Co.

• “Who Will Fix the Cars?” – Moderator: Ron Pyle of the Automotive Service Association; panelists: Betty Jo Young, Aaron Clements, John Cochrane and Denny Kahler

• “Who Needs Marketing?” – Moderator: Tom Marx, The Marx Group; panelists: Willi Alexander, Parts Depot; Lisa Kranc, AutoZone; Mario Recchia, Worldpac; and Bill Long, Proliance

Registration details are available at: globalsymposium.org .

All of the net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at: automotivescholarships.com .

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