Automotive trade groups

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 18, 2008 – ABeam Consulting will sponsor the third annual MIS Council Supplier Forum, hosted by the MEMA Information Services (MIS) Council from noon until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill.

The event is free and open to individuals who work for suppliers/manufacturers and who are responsible for information technology, information services, e-commerce, cataloging, business process support, networks, web services, finance and plant floor computer support.

February 4, 2008, ORLAND PARK, Ill. – Nearly 1,800 heavy duty aftermarket executives and professionals attended Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week ‘08 (HDAW) held in January at The Mirage, Las Vegas. In its third year, this annual business conference is the industry’s largest gathering of the independent heavy duty aftermarket.

Although primarily North American in focus, HDAW drew attendees from 17 different countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Mexico and Russia.

What: The 2008 SEMA State of the Association is an annual meeting where
SEMA executives discuss current programs and inform members about what to expect in the coming year. Discussion will include topics, such as hiring and training, legislation, research, vehicle technology and more.

Featured Speakers:
- Jim Cozzie, SEMA Chairman
- Rick Rollins, SEMA Chairman-Elect
- Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO

Moderator:
Dennis Gage, SEMA Board member and television personality

Attendance:
All SEMA members are invited to attend the meeting, free of charge.
Lunch will be provided. The State of the Association address will also broadcast live from www.sema.org and a recording will be available for download after the event.

When:
Thursday, February 7, 2008, 12:00 -1:30 p.m.

January 24, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), the Transportation Safety Equipment Institute (TSEI) and the Motor Vehicle Lighting Council (MVLC) jointly submitted a petition asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reconsider certain changes made to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, which specifies requirements for motor vehicle lighting.

Meeting Set at AASA Vision Conference 2008 in Orlando

January 21, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) is establishing a Technicians Advisory Council to work cooperatively with the Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) at the AASA Vision Conference 2008, slated for Thursday, Feb. 29, through Saturday, March 1, at the Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando, Fla.

January 21, 2008, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The Overseas Automotive Council (OAC) recently inducted four new members into its Quarter Century Club, which honors members on the 25th anniversary of their enrollment.

The inductees for 2007 are:

* Andres R. Angulo, international sales manager, Heavy Duty - Stemco LLC, Enpro, Miami, Fla.;
* Giora Bsor, director, G.B.I. Ltd., Tel Aviv, Israel;
* Michael R. Flad, president and owner, DanCor Sales Co., Levittown, Penn.;
* Gilberto Gonzalez, president and owner, Gilberto Gonzalez C., Medellin, Colombia;
* Edward V. Heath, Honorary Life Member, Heath Automotive Appraisals Inc., Centennial, Colo.; and
* F. Carl Smith, vice president and general manager, Intraco Corp., Troy, Mich.