AASA has lined up an outstanding agenda for its annual Vision Conference (VisCon) on Thursday, March 29, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, Ill. We are following up our ground-breaking 2011 study, “Aftermarket Outlook 2020,” with a program that takes a deeper dive into the report’s strategic insights and applications for AASA members.

I encourage you to bring all of your team to hear …

“Turning Insights Into Action: How P&G and Wal-Mart Partnered for Success”
Tom Muccio, the former senior customer strategy officer for Procter & Gamble (P&G), drove the creation of P&G’s multifunctional customer team concept and was the leader of its global relationship with Wal-Mart for 15 years. During that time, P&G grew its sales to Wal-Mart from $350 million to $7.8 billion, 38 percent faster than Wal-Mart’s revenue growth over that time period. The P&G case study is included in “Aftermarket Outlook 2020,” produced by Booz & Co. and also is featured in a recent widely-cited Harvard Business Review article. You will benefit from Tom’s insights, not only from his P&G career, but also from his experiences assisting other businesses in optimizing their relationship strategies with major retailers. Evan Hirsh of Booz & Co. will assist as moderator of this interactive, open presentation.

Customer Spotlight: Mike Broderick and Craig Barnes of CARQUEST
This is the first appearance of CARQUEST at AASA VisCon, and I know members welcome this opportunity to hear insights from Mike and Craig – not only as representatives of this major aftermarket customer, but as experienced aftermarket professionals. Their views on the aftermarket outlook and CARQUEST’s supplier relationships will make this one of the most anticipated presentations at AASA VisCon 2012.

“Turning Insights Into Action: Aftermarket Leaders Panel”
This follow-up to “Aftermarket Outlook 2020” features a panel of four executives representing a wide range of automotive aftermarket companies. They will discuss how they have incorporated their view of the future of the industry as well as the key trends and issues facing the aftermarket into their companies’ plans. How can aftermarket companies turn the “Aftermarket Outlook 2020” insights into actions? Moderator Evan Hirsh will encourage open, free-ranging conversations on this important topic. Panelists are:

• Jeff Brekke, president, global automotive aftermarket, Gates Corp., and chairman, AASA Board of Governors;
• Jay Burkhart, senior vice president, global aftermarket, Federal-Mogul Corp.;
• Jack Carney, president and chief executive officer, FDP Brakes Inc.; and
• Kevin Pasqua, vice president and general manager, U.S./Canada Power Solutions, Johnson Controls Inc.

Panel Discussion: What Service Professionals Want Manufacturers to Know
Responding the members’ request for continued dialogue between manufacturers and service professionals, AASA VisCon 2012 will include an open discussion between attendees and a panel of shop owners. Moderated by Sue LaRue, Chief Strategist, The Insight Scout, the panel will include Mike Charewiez, Accurate Auto Clinic; John Vallely, Owner / Technician, McLean Auto Repair; Betty Jo Young, co-owner, Young’s Automotive Center, and chairperson, ASA Mechanical Division Parts Quality Subcommittee.

The AASA VisCon 2012 agenda also includes presentations by Dr. Erik Hurst, professor of economics from the University of Chicago and highly rated speaker from past VisCons; member-led discussions by Michael Cardone III from CARDONE Industries, Nicholas Jacquez of Affinia Group, Jack Vollbrecht of Remy Power Products; and much more. The full 2012 AASA VisCon agenda is available here.

When making your travel arrangements, please schedule your arrival so that you can participate in the Welcome Reception on the evening of Wednesday, March 28. After a networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, AASA Chairman Jeff Brekke of Gates will start the VisCon program at 8 a.m.

In response to member comments that VisCon insights are valuable to a wide set of their executive teams, we are offering a significant discount for multiple attendees to make that goal more affordable. Register for AASA VisCon 2012 here and make your hotel reservations here.

Special thanks to Ernst & Young, the AASA VisCon premier sponsor. Polk is the sponsor of the Networking Luncheon. Elite sponsors are GCommerce, Know Your Parts®, MEMA Financial Services Group Inc. and OptiCat.

Reach Aftermarket Leaders through the AASA “Top 100” List

How much is it worth to get your company’s message in the hands of top executives in the aftermarket supply chain? Your ad in the AASA “Top 100 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers List” puts your marketing message in front of your customers as they refer to it throughout the year.

Every year, the “Top 100 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers List,” published by AASA and produced by Babcox Media, is distributed at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium and sent to the executives of leading supply chain partners with “Counterman” magazine. It is a key industry resource for product and brand information on the largest suppliers to the automotive aftermarket.

Your company listing is free – just fill out the form here – but only advertisers receive highlighted listings and the benefit of additional promotional opportunities. Click here to view the 2011 issue.

The deadline for participation is Friday, March 2. Contact Jennifer Gilbertson for more information on this promotional opportunity.