RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Registration is now open for the 2012 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) VisCon on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, Ill.
Erik Hurst, professor of economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, is among the top-rated speakers and presentations slated for the event.
“As today’s headlines and leading news stories attest, we are truly in a global economy, with U.S. businesses impacted by events in world markets,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “As the most popular speaker at previous VisCons, Erik’s insights into the impact of the international and domestic economies on the automotive aftermarket will be a highlight of our outstanding 2012 AASA VisCon program.”
The AASA VisCon 2012 theme, “Turning Insights Into Action” will build on the association’s special report, “Aftermarket Outlook 2020” produced by Booz & Co., which was released at the 2011 conference.
Handschuh noted that AASA member companies have used “Aftermarket Outlook 2020” in strategic planning, to educate sales staff and to begin the process of preparing for the next decade.
"Evan Hirsh, vice president of Booz & Co., is returning this year for follow-up to this important strategic publication, including a panel discussion featuring CEOs of AASA member companies,” Handschuh added.
Jack Carney, president and CEO of FDP Brakes Inc. is one of the confirmed CEO panelists. Other confirmed presentations at the AASA 2012 VisCon include:
* Welcome Address with AASA Chairman Jeff Brekke, president, global automotive aftermarket, Gates Corp.
* Know Your Parts Update by Jack Vollbrecht, senior vice president, business development, Remy Power Products and member of the AASA Marketing Executives Council
* Repair Professionals Panel Discussion moderated by Sue LaRue, chief strategist, The Insight Scout, and featuring repair professionals and shop owners
* Global Market Insights with Mike Hanley, Global Automotive Leader, Ernst & Young
* OptiCat Progress and Value Statement from a leading supplier company participant
* Government Affairs Report detailing important aftermarket issues in Congress and the states
* Effective Utilization of Data, including economic, POS, inventory, VIO, etc.
* Industry Overview from Steve Handschuh, president and COO, AASA
AASA VisCon 2012, exclusive to AASA member companies, will kick off with a welcome reception on the evening of Wednesday, March 28, following meetings of the AASA Board of Governors and AASA councils.
The program will begin on the morning of Thursday, March 29, with a networking breakfast, followed by keynote addresses, customer presentations and discussions of trends and challenges affecting automotive aftermarket suppliers.
New for 2012 – AASA member companies can receive a significant discount when they bring four or more team members to AASA VisCon. Member companies are encouraged to bring as many members of their executive teams as possible to AASA VisCon 2012 to gain valuable strategic insights from the discussions. The 2012 agenda is designed to be of maximum benefit to aftermarket supplier executives in the areas of management, sales, marketing, business development, product management, procurement, operations, government affairs, supply chain, logistics and manufacturing.
The first 100 returning attendees also will be entered in a special drawing for one of three iPads. A pre-registration form, including discount details, is available here.
More information and agenda updates are available at the conference website, www.aasavision.org.
Ernst & Young is the conference premier sponsor. AASA VisCon also provides many promotional opportunities for solution providers and affiliate and associate members. For details, click here.
