RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – By registering now, individuals planning to attend the 2007 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) program can hear an exciting lineup of speakers and industry leaders as they discuss “Survival in a Changing Aftermarket” at a $200 savings. GAAS 2007 will take place Tuesday, May 8, and Thursday, May 9, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago.
Participants who register by Friday, March 23, receive the early bird discount of $200. Registration fees are $695 for the sponsoring associations’ members’ first registrant and $595 for each additional representative. After Friday, March 23, fees increase to $895 for an association member company’s first registrant and $795 for each additional representative.
Early registration for individuals whose firms or organizations are not a member of any of the sponsoring associations is $895 for the first registrant and $795 for each additional representative. After Monday, Feb. 27, fees are $1,095 for the company’s first registrant and $995 for each additional representative.
Speakers for the event include:
• Nancy Fein, vice president parts, service, customer satisfaction and Training, Lexus;
• Bob Lutz, vice chairman, global product development, General Motors;
• Cynthia Cohen, senior vice president, BB&T Capital Markets;
• Kelly McDonald, president, McDonald Marketing;
• Tony Cristello, founder and president, Strategic Mindshare;
Panel discussions on important industry issues include:
• “It’s a Global Market After All” – How the U.S. aftermarket compares to and contrasts with Asian and European aftermarkets moderated by Dave Caracci, University of the Aftermarket Foundation;
• “Do You Know Where You Are Going To?” — Moderated by Steve Handschuh, president and chief operating officer for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)
• Service Dealers: Education and Training – Moderated by Ron Pyle, Automotive Service Association (ASA)
• Face of the Aftermarket Debate – Moderated by Kathleen Schmatz, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA)
The second annual Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award will be presented by R. L. Polk & Co. during this year’s Symposium and is designed to recognize and reward outstanding aftermarket companies for process improvements relative to inventory efficiency. R. L. Polk & Co. is also the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.
The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket.
All of the net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. The GAAS scholarship fund awarded a total of 133 students $1,000 GAAS scholarships in 2006, bringing the total number of to more than 1,000 students and over $1 million in funding in its 12-year history. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at: http://www.automotivescholarships.com.
GAAS program registration information is available online at http://www.globalsymposium.org.
