AASA Vision Conference
Annual Membership Meeting
“Know Your Parts”

AASA Vision Conference 2010
March 16 - 17, 2010
InterContinental Chicago O'Hare, Rosemont, Ill.

Overview
AASA Vision Conference is the premier event exclusively for members of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and its annual membership meeting. It is a forum for the open exchange of ideas, best practices and collaborative efforts to adapt and prosper in the changing global marketplace.

Format
The program includes keynote addresses by aftermarket retailers and distributors, best practice presentations by members and panel discussions of trends and challenges affecting automotive aftermarket suppliers.

Open Discussion with Mark Saxonberg of Toyota:
“Building Brand Loyalty through Outstanding Service Support in the Aftermarket”

Mark Saxonberg, manager - environment, health, safety and service support, industry and government relations at Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc., will address the 2010 AASA Vision Conference on “Building Brand Loyalty through Outstanding Service Support in the Aftermarket.”

His presentation will center on the current independent aftermarket service business model. The typical independent shop is forced to make a critical business decision every year – whether to invest another $30K to be fully service ready for its five or 10 most frequently serviced makes or to skip the investment and tell customers certain services are no longer offered.

In today's advanced automotive technology world, the business model for aftermarket general repair is broken, and it gets more broken every day. This trend is bad for the independent repair shop operator, bad for the consumer, bad for the aftermarket supply chain and bad for the automaker.

Saxonberg will delve into the underlying causes of the broken business model and what Toyota is doing to provide “an ownership experience worthy of the product itself” for the life of every Toyota/Scion/Lexus vehicle. Following his comments, Saxonberg will engage with members in an open discussion.

This important Vision presentation will provide attendees a clear understanding how automakers, aftermarket suppliers, industry trade groups, educators and the aftermarket repair community are already working together to rebuild a 21st century business model. This new aftermarket repair business model will offer every aftermarket shop the opportunity to be 100 percent service ready for almost any customer, at a cost and level of complexity that allows any savvy business operator to thrive.

Other Presentations

• Sales Force Panel: What Channel Partners Expect; Panelists: Dave Barbeau, Delphi Corp.; Jeff Brekke, The Gates Corp.; Jim Duckworth, Quaker City Motor Parts; Tim Lee, Long Distributing; Roger McCollum, N.A. Williams
• Economic Outlook – Erik Hurst, Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
• Customer Presentation – Larry Magee, Chairman, CEO and President, Bridgestone Retail Operations
• OptiCat: A Supplier-Centric E-Catalog Model -- Panelists: Affinia; Jay Burkhart, Federal-Mogul; Dennis Welvaert, Dayco
• Member Spotlight: Taking Advantage of Megatrends – CARDONE Industries Inc.
• Member Spotlight: Creative Training Programs – The Timken Co.
• The Inside Story: Washington Activities that Will Affect the Aftermarket
• Driving Business Success in the Dynamic Times – Mike Hanley, Ernst & Young
• Your Association at Work – Updates from AASA Council Leadership

Target Audience
Nearly 150 attendees participated in the AASA Vision Conference 2009, held March 18 in Chicago. Vision participants represent the leaders of the North American aftermarket manufacturers: AASA member company executives responsible for management, sales, marketing, procurement, operations, government affairs, supply chain and manufacturing.

Council Meetings
The following council meetings will be held during the AAASA Vision Conference 2010:

• Filter Manufacturers Council
• AASA Fuel Pump Manufacturers Council
• AASA Marketing Executives Council
• MEMA Technology Council (formerly MEMA Information Services Council)

Event Benefits
The AASA Vision Conference supports members’ efforts to meet global aftermarket challenges and opportunities through:

• forecasting the future outlook of the aftermarket supplying industry
• providing networking for members only to address issues affecting aftermarket suppliers
• evaluating best practices and successes from other industries
• identifying strategic direction and new initiatives