AAIA Annual Report 2008 - (Page 18) connecting to professional development With rapidly changing global and economic factors, social values and demographics, science and technology, legislative and regulatory environment, and industry competition and structure, AAIA members have a great need for up-to-date information and education and training programs and tools. AAIA rises to this challenge as an advocate for industry education and training, and serves as a resource portal by providing the industry with programs, opportunities and events to enhance continuous learning. Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) A record crowd of 435 attended this year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), held in Chicago, Ill. in May. More than 30 speakers and panelists shared information, insight, trends, analysis and solutions during this premier industry educational annual event for senior-level aftermarket executives. Each year, the net proceeds of GAAS go toward scholarships to benefit students preparing for automotive aftermarket careers. In the past 10 years, more than $1.4 million in scholarships has been given to 1,400 students. Aftermarket eForum™ The 2008 Aftermarket eForum™ was attended by 250 aftermarket professionals and featured 38 expert speakers and presenters who covered all aspects of e-commerce and supply chain technology solutions in the motor vehicle aftermarket. The annual two-day summer event, held in Chicago, Ill. in July, is industry sponsored and produced with 100 percent of the net proceeds invested in industry programs and services. Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week, the industry’s premier conference for heavy duty distributors and manufacturers, was held in Las Vegas this year and will be in Orlando, Fla. in February 2009. It provides a comprehensive distributor education program, addressing leading issues facing the industry such as technology standards, access to technical information and employee training and recruitment. As the all-industry, senior-level event — organized by the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN), the Heavy Duty Distribution Association (HDDA) and the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) — HDAW attracts the industry’s top executives and speakers. HDAW also includes one-on-one business meetings, networking opportunities and an aftermarketfocused trade show. 18 A A I A A N N UA L R E P O R T 2 0 0 8 A Y E A R O F CO N N E C T I O N http://www.aftermarket.org/MeetingsEvents.aspx http://www.globalsymposium.org http://www.aftermarketeforum.com http://www.hdaw.org
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