RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. Participants in the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) Vision Conference 2009 set for Wednesday, March 18, at the InterContinental O’Hare in Rosemont, Ill. now can earn CEU credits through the University of the Aftermarket by attending the event.
“The AASA Vision Conference is our annual membership meeting and a vital forum for automotive aftermarket suppliers to discuss the important issues and challenges facing the industry,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “The addition of CEU credits to our outstanding line-up of speakers this year further increases the value of the AASA Vision Conference and reinforces our theme this year, ‘Weathering the Storm: Trends, Insights & Opportunities.’”
“The University of the Aftermarket is pleased to partner with AASA to offer these credits for the AASA Vision Conference 2009,” said Brian Cruickshank, director of the University of the Aftermarket. “Attendees can apply these credits towards their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designation,” he added.
Attendees can earn 0.6 University of the Aftermarket CEUs at the second annual AASA Vision Conference.
AASA Vision Conference 2009 presentations will include:
Aftermarket Outlook: Vision Conference attendees will be the first to hear results from the ground-breaking study recently completed by McKinsey & Co.: “The Future of the U.S. Automotive Aftermarket.”
Economic Outlook: Dr. Martin Regalia, the chief economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will review the international economic outlook and will examine a wide range of economic drivers affecting the automotive aftermarket industry in the coming years. Mike Hanley of Ernst & Young, the Vision Conference Premier Sponsor, will address, “Thriving in an Economic Downturn.”
Energy Outlook: Christopher Guith, a senior leader from the Institute for 21st Century Energy, will address the Institute’s energy policies and initiatives in the new environment in Washington, D.C., and the state governments.
Customer Outlook: Todd Hack of CARQUEST and Greg Henslee of O’Reilly will look at the aftermarket’s future from their unique perspectives at two of the largest and most successful aftermarket channel partners.
The 2009 Vision Conference will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, with the annual AASA Membership Meeting reports. In addition to the Chairman’s Report by Peter Morse, Morse Automotive, the membership presentations will include:
Affecting Change in Washington: Ann Wilson, senior vice president of government affairs for AASA will help attendees understand the unprecedented number of issues now under discussion in Washington that directly impact the aftermarket and tell attendees how they can get involved to make the aftermarket’s voice heard.
NA Supplier Image: Regaining Balance in the Aftermarket: Jack Cameron, group executive of the AASA Marketing Executives Council (MEC), will discuss a new report from the MEC’s series of focus groups with professional technicians to determine their opinions about aftermarket suppliers’ and manufacturers’ support.
Exporting in the New Global Economy: Richard Mezadurian, chairman of the AASA Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) and president of Falcon Steering, will give an overview of the global aftermarket and exporting opportunities.
The conference will conclude on March 18 with a networking reception at 5:15 p.m.
Ernst & Young is the AASA Vision Conference 2009 premier sponsor.
The agenda and registration information is available at the AASA Vision Conference Web site, www.aasavision.org.