GRAPEVINE, Texas — Federated Auto Parts and National Pronto Association are planning to combine their respective member meetings at a single venue for the first time since they allied under a common banner in 2015.
The combined Pronto/Federated spring member meeting will take place April 9-12 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, where Pronto is headquartered.
"Following two previously contracted meetings held in separate locations, we are looking forward to having members of The Group together under one roof for what promises to be a very informative and productive series of meetings and events," said Larry Pavey, CEO of Automotive Parts Services Group, the combined Federated/Pronto entity identified as the "The Group."
"We continue to see how the power of collaboration has had a positive impact on business for both members and suppliers," he said. "This meeting will provide an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn from each other, strengthen relationships and identify ways to prosper together."
Members from both groups will attend one-on-one supplier meetings, a combined vendor booth show and informational breakout sessions where they will be updated on data and information systems, national account programs, new supplier programs and other business process improvements.
Neither details of the program nor speakers' names have been released.
The organizers anticipate good attendance due to combined opportunities and the convenient central location.
The Group was created by merging the efforts and resources of the Federated and Pronto program groups on behalf of their respective members. The combined organizations operate at more than 5,000 locations in North America with estimated member revenue of approximately $7 billion.
Staunton, Va.-based Federated is considered one of the largest auto parts distribution and marketing organizations in North America.
Pronto is an automotive program distribution group with 92 shareholder members, focused on marketing, technology and buying.