AASA Hosts Fun Contest at Annual Technology Conference Banquet to Raise Funds for Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation

2018 marks the second year for this fun contest, which provides support for aftermarket individuals and families in need

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – For the second year in a row, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) wrapped up its annual Technology Conference, the industry’s leading technology event, with a fun and friendly contest among attendees at the event’s closing banquet. The Conference commenced on Sept. 30 in Clearwater, Fla. and concluded with the Banquet on Oct. 2. Proceeds from the contest were donated, once again, to a worthy cause - the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF).

Terence O’Reilly and Jeffrey Marshall of Pricedex Software, the conference’s Premier Sponsor, led attendees at the closing banquet in the “Loonie-Toonie” contest. O’Reilly and Marshall each flipped Canadian two-dollar pieces, or “Toonies”, as they are informally referred to in Canada, for participants to guess how the coins would land.

Participants were asked to place their bet money on the table, (the bet money consisted of voluntary donations to the AACF), and, while standing, indicate whether the coin toss would produce two heads, two tails, or one of each by placing both hands on their heads, both hands on their “tails” or one hand on each “end.”

Those who guessed correctly remained standing and placed their bets for the next coin toss. Through a comical process of elimination, the last person standing won a hoverboard valued at over $500, courtesy of Pricedex.

“Terry and Jeff introduced us to this fun game at the 2017 AASA Technology Conference and it was a hit,” said Bill Long, AASA president and chief operating officer. “We brought it back at this year’s Conference because it is such a positive ending to this successful event. We all have fun and, at the same time, support the AACF in its important and valuable work for our industry.”

Banquet attendees raised a very generous $2,500 for the AACF at the banquet, which AASA has matched for a total donation of $5,000. Combined with AASA’s previous gift of $35,225 this year, this increases AACF support by AASA and its members to more than $40,000 for 2018.

“The AASA Technology Conference is one of the most valuable events in the industry for aftermarket technology professionals, suppliers and strategic channel partners alike,” said Terry O’Reilly, president and chief executive office of Pricedex and AACF corporate secretary. “We’re proud to support the event and to lead attendees in this game. Everyone seems to have a lot of fun with it and are very generous with their donations. We thank AASA for this support and all that the association does for AACF throughout the year.”

Business processes, IT, part data, vehicle data, online, connected and smart part technologies increasingly are converging and creating new opportunities for the aftermarket and the annual AASA Technology Conference is the industry’s top event to gain insights about these technologies. The 2019 AASA Technology Conference is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 29 through Tuesday, Oct. 1, in a new venue: the Boca Raton Resort, Boca Raton, Fla. More details, including agenda and registration, will be announced at www.aasatech.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos of the AASATC Banquet AACF contest and a PNG file of the “Toonie” are available upon request by e-mailing media@mema.org.

About the AACF

The AACF has been helping aftermarket families turn tragedy into triumph since 1959. Like the industry, AACF is driven by passion and devoted to family. It’s tough to ask for help, but when someone in the aftermarket family faces profound circumstances, AACF is there when it seems like there’s nowhere else to turn. As a nonprofit, this is accomplished through the support of generous donors, awareness partners and dedicated volunteers. To learn more, contact AACF at www.AftermarketCharity.org.

About AASA

The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, an important part of the automotive parts manufacturing industry which supports 871,000 American jobs. AASA is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”