Those who sign up this month for the 10th annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) can save $200.
The event is set for Wednesday, May 11, and Thursday, May 12

, at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, Ill.
Participants who register by Monday, Feb. 28, will receive the $200 discount. Registration fees are $695 for the sponsoring associations’ (see sponsors below) members’ first registrant and $595 for each additional representative. After Monday, Feb. 28, fees increase to $895 for an association member company’s first registrant and $795 for each additional representative.
Early registration for non-members is $895 for the first registrant and $795 for each additional representative. After Monday, Feb. 28, fees are $1,095 for the company’s first registrant and $995 for each additional representative.
GAAS program registration information is available from the sponsoring associations or online at www.globalsymposium.org.
Over its 10-year history, GAAS has become a must-attend event for anyone conducting business with the automotive aftermarket including: advertising, communications, marketing and PR professionals, attorneys, business developers, consultants, electronic commerce providers, export management companies, financial analysts, investment bankers, market researchers, product developers, research and development specialists and venture capitalists.
Speakers for the 10th anniversary event include
* Dr. Lester Thurow, MIT, one of the nation’s leading economists.
* Joe Gibbs, coach of the Washington Redskins.
* Jim Press, executive vice president and CEO of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.
* Donald Cooper, international business speaker.
* Dr. David Fry, president and CEO, Northwood University.
* Kathleen Schmatz, president of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Assn. (AAIA).
GAAS participants will hear a presentation on “The Price Advantage,” a comprehensive book by McKinsey & Co. Jeremy Eaton, an associate principal in the firm¹s Detroit office, and Gerald Mercer, an expert partner in the Cleveland office, will discuss best practices for aftermarket prices. A complimentary copy of the book will be available from McKinsey & Co.
The first-ever Polk Aftermarket Inventory Efficiency Award will be presented by R. L. Polk & Co. during this year's Symposium, designed to recognize and reward outstanding aftermarket companies for process improvements relative to inventory efficiency.
In addition, Mike Gingell of Polk will highlight best practices case studies in inventory management.
The program also features panel discussions on important industry issues such as:
* Manufacturers panel --­ Moderator: Bob McKenna, president of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Assn.; panelists: Joe Felicelli, executive vice president, worldwide aftermarket, Federal-Mogul; Terry McCormack, president and CEO of Affinia; Larry Pavey, CEO of ARI; and Bruce Zorich, CEO of United Components Inc.
* “Who Will Fix the Cars?” panel --­ Moderator: Larry Silvey of Advanstar Automotive Group; panelists: Mike Kamal, co-president, Automotive Distribution Network; Cheryl Ward, marketing manager of Goodyear's Gemini Automotive Care centers; John Watt of Petro-Canada Certigard
* Next Generation panel --­ Moderator: Bill Babcox of Babcox Publications; panelists: Lisa Chissus, vice president and general manager of Flex-a-lite Consolidated; Gordon Fenwick, CEO of Fenwick Automotive Products; Fletcher Lord, president of Replacement Parts Inc.; and Doug Washbish, president and CEO of Moog Louisville Warehouse
* Industry leaders panel --­ Moderator: Al Gaspar, president emeritus, AAIA; panelists: Steve Odland, chairman, president and CEO of AutoZone; David O’Reilly, chairman and CEO of O:Reilly Auto Parts; Larry Samuelson, president of U.S. Automotive Parts Group, Genuine Parts Co.; and Temple Sloan III, president and COO of Carquest
The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Assns. (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Assn. (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Assn. (AASA), Automotive Industries Assn. (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Rebuilders Assn. (APRA), Automotive Service Assn. (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Assn. (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Assn. (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Assn. (SEMA), Tire Industry Assn. (TIA)and University of the Aftermarket.
R. L. Polk & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.
All of the net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. The anniversary year will mark a significant milestone when the Symposium surpasses $1 million in scholarship funds awarded to more than 1,000 students. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at www.automotivescholarships.com.