AWDA Members to Attend Joint Session with Suppliers at 2016 AASA Vision Conference

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Members of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) will attend special joint sessions with aftermarket suppliers during the 2016 Vision Conference presented by the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). The Conference is slated for Tuesday, April 5 through Thursday, April 7 at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel, Rosemont, Ill.

“The annual AASA Vision Conference is well-established as the top supplier event for ground-breaking industry analysis and discussion of key business issues. We are enhancing that tradition this year by joining with the leading distributors at AWDA to examine the changes ahead for our industry,” said Bill Long, AASA president and chief operating officer. “The participation of our industry colleagues in open discussions at the Vision Conference is a vital first step as we work together to chart the industry’s roadmap through the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

The AASA and AWDA boards will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, April 5. Members of both organizations will join for networking at the Vision Conference Welcome Reception that evening. AASA and AWDA Vision Conference participants will attend the morning session on Wednesday, April 6, which will conclude with a networking luncheon. The conference will continue with afternoon sessions for suppliers and a joint AASA / AWDA networking reception on April 6. Supplier-focused events continue on Thursday, April 7.

Long will open the 2016 AASA Vision Conference with his presentation, “Shaping Our Industry: 100-Year Partnership,” connecting the strong tradition of aftermarket supplier-customer relationships to how critical they will be in addressing emerging and disruptive challenges. 

Among the confirmed 2016 AASA Vision Conferences speakers to date are: Greg Johnson, executive vice president – supply chain, O’Reilly Auto Parts; Mark Saxonberg, manager - advanced fuel vehicles & environment, industry & government relations, Toyota USA Inc.; Bret D. Jordan, CFA, managing director – research analyst, Jefferies LLC; Donny Seyfer, chairman of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and secretary/treasurer, Seyfer Automotive Inc.; Peter Yorke, CEO, Voyomotive LLC; Nat Beuse, associate administrator vehicle safety research, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); Jason Schenker, CFP, ERP, CVA, president, Prestige Economics LLC; and Ann Wilson, senior vice president of government affairs, MEMA.

Vision presentations and panel discussions will focus on:

• Shaping Our Industry: 100-Year Partnership
• New Vehicle Technology: Where We Are Headed
• Connecting the OEM and the Aftermarket Supplier for the Coming Connected Vehicles
• New Business Models: Connecting Drivers, Vehicles, Shops and the Traditional IAM
• From D.C. to Silicon Valley
• DMCA, Cybersecurity & Telematics: Threats to the Independent Aftermarket?
• Stopping the Onslaught: IAM Anti-Counterfeiting Strategies
• What’s in Store for Our Industry
• A Third Party View of the Independent Aftermarket
• Leadership and Perspective: POV from Supplier Executives
• Delivering Unmatched Growth and Performance

The 2016 AASA Vision Conference includes three days of ground-breaking thought leadership presented by subject matter experts, value-added take-aways, interactive demonstrations by solution providers and networking with industry partners and peers. The Filter Manufacturers Council (FMC), the AASA Technology Council (ATC) and the AASA Marketing Executives Council (MEC) also will hold meetings concurrent with the event.

Details about registration, the agenda, council meetings and hotel accommodations are available at www.aasavision.org.

About AASA

AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products which support 710,000 employees in the United States. 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”