The aftermarket industry needs to learn how to sail in bad conditions, without wind, to ensure success and smooth waters ahead, says David Caracci, chairman of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium, during the event’s opening session.

But attending events like GAAS, May 6-7 in Rosemont, Ill., adjusting inventory and expenses and streamlining employees will help companies endure until the economy improves, he says.

“We have to learn how to sail in bad conditions, without wind,” Caracci says. “Those who do will be the ones who are ahead when the winds return.” 

And getting new talent and faces into the industry is another way to secure its continued growth.

The GAAS Scholarship Committee works to reach out to students who want to get training in the industry, and also to those whose families are already part of the aftermarket, says Pete Kornafel, MAAP, chairman of the committee.

Collaboration helps award more scholarships, and the GAAS Scholarship Committee site serves as a portal students can utilize to be considered not only for GAAS scholarships, but also for awards given by 8 other wholesaler associations.

The committee received 349 complete applications — down just slightly from last year’s 357 — and to date, more than 250 students have qualified for more than one award.

Fifty-nine of those students have received GAAS scholarships, down significantly from last year’s 115 mainly because of monetary challenges.

“We have an excellent group of applicants. The quality continues to get better each year,” Kornafel says.

The committee has also seen a new trend emerging — the receipt of applications from candidates who have been out of school for a number of years, or those who are looking to change careers and get trained in the industry.

Registration fees and donations fund the scholarship program, but both have decreased slightly this year. “We’ve always had more good kids than money,” Kornafel says.