Auto Care Insider Volume 102 - 3

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT www.autocare.org/segmentcommunities DISTRIBUTION INSTITUTION FOUNDED in 1947, the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) is the industry's oldest organized group of warehouse distributors and their respective suppliers of parts, accessories tools and other supplies. On Jan. 1, 2004, AWDA joined the Auto Care Association, and at more than 600 members, AWDA is one of the largest segment communities represented by the association. Today, its membership consists of more than 220 warehouse distributors and hundreds of manufacturers, jobbers, manufacturers' reps and more. Along with its continuous goal centered on member growth, AWDA is also committed to industry education and career promotion in the auto care industry by supporting several high profile programs, including: Next Step Program - YANG and AWDA also offer young professionals scholarships to participate in meetings and networking events with industry leaders at the Auto Care Association's biannual Leadership Days. YANG sponsorship - AWDA is proud to be a sponsor to the Auto Care Association's under-40 group, the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG). YANG Ambassador Program - This grassroots initiative aims to increase the industry's footprint at multiple universities/ colleges across the country. Internship Scholarship Fund - Annually, AWDA awards $25,000 to students who pursue internships in locations more than 100 miles from their permanent address. Development of a model, collegelevel supply chain course - In partnership with Auto Care Careers and Grove City College in Grove City, Pa., AWDA plans to create an automotive aftermarketfocused supply chain management course that can be replicated at other educational institutions. Leadership 2.0 Scholarship - With its partnership with YANG, AWDA gives deserving YANG members and shop owners the opportunity to attend the prestigious University of the Aftermarket's Leadership 2.0 Program free-of-charge. With a 20 percent warehouse distributor participant growth in 2016, the 69th annual AWDA Business and Education Conference is a key feature of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). The annual conference is held in the days leading up to AAPEX. The conference hosts nearly 2,500 one-on-one meetings and represents the auto care industry's single, most efficient venue for warehouse distributors and their suppliers to conduct real business. The conference will take place Oct. 29-31, 2016, at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. AWDA doesn't plan on slowing down. To prepare for the future, AWDA recently embarked upon a strategic review of all of its priorities, programs and leadership structure. "It's been more than eight years since AWDA did a strategic review and given all the changes our industry has experienced during that time, our Council of Governors felt the time was right to put everything on the table. We intend to do it right and really look forward to the process and outcome!" said Bobby Segal, vice chairman, AWDA. Visit www.autocare.org/awda. AUTO CARE INSIDER | VOL. 102 3 http://www.autocare.org/awda

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Auto Care Insider Volume 102