EVENTSGAAS Speakers To Discuss the Important Role of Marketing RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC - A panel of marketing executives will examine the importance of marketing within the automotive industry on Wednesday, May 17, at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) at the Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, MI. The marketing function has undergone change in the automotive aftermarket. What was once a discipline driven by manufacturers, marketing has evolved into a highly participative process among manufacturers, distributors and retailers. A panel of marketing experts will look at the changes marketing has undergone in the last 10 years, the state of current programs and what lies ahead in the future. "Marketing represents a big portion of the automotive industry's importance to the global economy," said Tom Marx, president and CEO of The Marx Group. "Correctly marketing your products can ultimately determine the success of failure in even the best of ideas. These industry leaders will discuss how companies can effectively promote and market their products and why a proper marketing strategy is so important." Marx will moderate the "Who Needs Marketing?" discussion. Panelists are Willi Alexander, president and COO, Parts Depot; Lisa Kranc, senior vice president, Marketing AutoZone; Mario Recchia, vice president - marketing and business development, WORLDPAC; and Bill Long, vice president, Marketing Proliance International Inc. Another discussion, "The Myths and Realities of Automotive Service and Repair," will be led by Ron Pyle, president of the Automotive Service Association. Panelists scheduled to appear are Aaron Clements, C & C Automotive; John Cochrane, Cochrane Automotive; Denny Kahler, Kahler's Werkstatt; Betty Jo Young, Young's Automotive Center. The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort 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 Rebuilders 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 & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.
All of the net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. This year will be a significant contributor to the $1 million+ in past scholarship funds awarded to more than 1,000 students. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at
www.automotivescholarships.com.
More information and registration forms are available at www.globalsymposium.org.
