Four top aftermarket industry leaders will headline a channel panel to discuss how factors of 2009 impacted their segment of the distribution channel and what’s in store for 2010 at this year’s AAIA Town Hall breakfast program in Las Vegas. Hosted by AAIA and sponsored by NASCAR Performance, Town Hall will be held Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 a.m. in the Palazzo Ballroom in the Venetian Hotel.

Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO, will once again moderate the Town Hall panel, which will include:

·    Larry Sills, president, Standard Motor Products
·    Bill Rhodes, president/CEO, AutoZone
·    Rusty Bishop, CEO, Federated Auto Parts
·    Jim Dykstra, owner, Dykstra Auto Service

“What a year it has been for the aftermarket: dealerships closing, the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ folly, OE bailouts, high gas prices curtailing miles driven and major economic pressures and challenges,” said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president and CEO. “Our distinguished panel representing manufacturing, distribution, retail and service and repair will discuss how their respective segment of the channel was impacted and how they coped during 2009. They will also share their thoughts and predictions about 2010.”

Tickets for the 2009 AAIA Town Hall are now available. Individual tickets are $90 and a table of 10 is $750. For ticket information, visit www.aftermarket.org and click on “Meetings/Events.”