The Young Auto Care Network Group is hosting a regional meet-up April 5 in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
YANG is a community of the Auto Care Association, which serves the entire supply chain of the automotive aftermarket. The April 5 event meetup will be open to all YANG members, as well as attendees at this year’s Aftermarket 101.
“Much can be gained from taking what you’ve learned in the classroom and discussing it with your peers. It’s exciting to learn different perspectives on topics that matter to you from people who work very different roles within the same industry,” explained Cotter Collins of SMP and current YANG Chair. “The University of the Aftermarket and YANG prove that it isn’t just who you know, but what you know, too!”
The regional meet-up is set for 6 to 8 p.m. April 5 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Detroit Novi in Farmington Hills. It is sponsored by Federated/Fisher Auto Parts and held in conjunction with Aftermarket 101.
Aftermarket 101 is a two-day introduction to the automotive aftermarket industry.
“Students who attend this class will develop a firm knowledge of the breadth, depth, and scope of the Automotive Aftermarket including channels of retail, e-commerce and traditional distribution, sales development skills and opportunities, current and future industry trends, a brief introduction to heavy-duty segment, and the opportunities and challenges facing our service dealers,” stated Dr. Thomas Litzinger, executive director of the University of Aftermarket, Northwood University.
This year’s Aftermarket 101 programming will cover:
• An overview of industry basics, channels and terminology, presented by Ted Hughes, Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) executive director.
• A discussion about major industry players, presented by Roy Kent, executive vice president of business development, member support and strategy for Federated Auto Parts.
• An introduction to the heavy-duty side of the industry by Tina Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride.
• Structures and trends of retail and traditional distribution, presented by AWDA’s Ted Hughes.
• How to develop a professional sales network, presented by Malcolm Sissmore, Borg Warner’s vice president of sales and marketing for the North American aftermarket.
• Service dealer challenges and opportunities, presented by Jeff Kruse, former executive vice president and chief evangelist for Belle Tire Distributors Inc.
“This is a fantastic event for new hires in the automotive industry, from manufacturing and warehouse distribution to retail,” Litzinger stated.
The event will be held April 5-6 at Fisher Auto Parts, 24701 Hallwood Court, Farmington Hills, Michigan.
The cost is $1,150 per attendee, and they will earn 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs) toward their Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP, MAAP) professional designation.
To register, visit https://admissions.northwood.edu/corporate/uofa. Hotel reservations can be made online here: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1678394666501&key=GRP&app=resvlink
To attend the YANG regional meet-up, register here: bit.ly/402wMmN
