The early bird registration and hotel reservation deadlines for the 2009 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), scheduled May 6-7 in Rosemont, Ill., have both been extended for potential attendees.

The early bird registration deadline, which will save attendees $200 from regular registration rates, and the deadline to make reservations at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare have both been extended to Monday, April 13. Rates of $182 (single or double) plus tax are guaranteed through that date. Reservations can be made by calling Hyatt Central Reservations at (800) 233-1234 or the hotel directly at (847) 696-1234.

When attendees participate in the symposium, they will receive 1.5 CEU’s toward the University of the Aftermarket’s AAP/MAAP designation. The symposium has been approved by Northwood University for credit toward its Automotive Aftermarket Management degree.

Each year the net proceeds of GAAS are invested in the organization’s Scholarship Fund to help students get their automotive aftermarket career started. Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Individuals or companies who are not able to attend GAAS 2009 are encouraged to make a donation to the GAAS Scholarship Fund and can do so by contacting Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or susan.medick@aftermarket.org.  

Register online for the 2009 symposium, “Winning Strategies in a Changing Aftermarket.”

Founded in 1996, the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) has become the premier industry conference for senior-level aftermarket executives. The net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. In 2008, 115 students who plan careers in the automotive aftermarket received GAAS Scholarships to help get their industry careers started. In the twelve years of the program, more than 1,400 students have received aid totaling more than $1,400,000.

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket. R.L. Polk & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.