SEMA Show

Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium Changes Format, Names Speakers

The organizers of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) have announced the theme and speakers for the 2009 event. Carrying the theme “Winning Strategies in a Changing Aftermarket,” the 14th edition of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) is scheduled for May 6–7 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare near Chicago.

“We listened to past attendees and their requests for topics and issues, and the dynamic GAAS 2009 reflects their input,” said Dave Caracci, GAAS chairman. “Industry executives are scrutinizing costs to attend events and demand ROI of intelligence, insight and data that they can transfer into immediate strategies. GAAS 2009 is built to deliver actionable take-aways for great business profitability, efficiency and competitiveness.”
 
Speakers and topics already confirmed include Bill Strauss, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, “The Long Term Effects of Fuel Prices;” Dr. John Wormald of autoPOLIS, “The Environmental Crisis, The Auto Industry and The Aftermarket;” Rich Detskas, Automotive Manager, SGS Testing Company, “Outsourcing to Third World Quality: The Good, Bad and Ugly;” and David Portalatin, NPD Group, “Consumer Insights: Just Ask!”

Two panel discussions are also planned. The topics are “What Will the DIY Market Look Like in the Next Five Years” and “Internet Business Model’s In Today’s Aftermarket.”

For more information on the GAAS or to register for the 2009 event, visit www.globalsymposium.org. Early-bird registration savings of $200 are available until March 20.

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the 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 Remanufacturers 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. R.L. Polk is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.