GAAS registration brochure available

CHICAGO (March 17, 2014) — The registration brochure for “Connected,” the 2014 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), is now available online.

GAAS 2014 takes place May 20-21 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill. The annual two-day event, now in its 19th year, brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the global automotive aftermarket, GAAS organizers said.

The featured 75-minute event session, “Telematics and the Connected Car — How Does the Aftermarket Respond?” will be facilitated by Mike Buzzard, vice president of marketing and sales strategies for Uni-Select USA.

The four presenters for the session are Fred Blumer, CEO, Vehcon, Inc.; Jim Dykstra, president, Aftermarket Telematics Technologies L.L.C. and CEO of Dkystra's Auto Service; Charlie Gorman, executive manager and COO, Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI); and Malcolm Sissmore, North America sales director for telematics, diagnostic tools, service data and training and country director for Canada, Delphi Product & Service Solutions (DPSS).

Each of the four experts will provide a “rapid fire” presentation sharing their expertise, followed by a brief conversation among the presenters, GAAS organizers said.

“We have worked hard on this year's agenda to assemble a lineup of speakers and panelists that appeals to many segments of the aftermarket,” said GAAS Chairman Dennis Welvaert. “One issue in particular, telematics, is important to everyone in the supply chain from repair shop owners to manufacturers.”

More information, including a copy of the agenda, speaker bios and registration forms, is available on the GAAS website.

Each year the net proceeds of GAAS are invested into the organization's scholarship fund to support students working towards careers in the automotive aftermarket. Additional funding comes from individuals, companies and foundations in the industry. So far, organizers said GAAS has awarded $1.8 million in aid to more than 1,800 students.