2001 Global Symposium Scholarship Deadline Extended Until March 30, 2001

BETHESDA, MD - February 5, 2001 -The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee has announced that the GAAS 2001 scholarship application deadline has been extended until Friday, March 30, 2001.

Scholarship applications are available from the eight industry associations who sponsor GAAS, and at the GAAS Scholarship website: www.automotivescholarships.com. A separate application for Canadian students is available from the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) at 613-728-5821, or at the organization’s website: www.aiacanada.com.

To qualify for the GAAS Scholarship program, an applicant must either be a graduating high school senior or a recent high school graduate (1998 or after). The program is open to students in the U.S. and Canada. Staff members of GAAS sponsoring associations and their family members are not eligible.

In order to be eligible for a GAAS scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in a college-level program, a NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) accredited automotive technical program, or a CAMPE (Canadian Association of Motive Power Educators) accredited school. Graduate and part-time undergraduate programs do not qualify.

The scholarship program is funded by the net proceeds of the Symposium. This year’s Symposium will be held Thursday, May 17, and Friday, May 18, 2001, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, Ill. The two-day educational program examines the trends and issues affecting the future of the industry.

The GAAS program is a joint presentation of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada), Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), and the Tire Association of North America (TANA).

Corporate sponsorship of GAAS is provided by IBM, and is supported by the following industry trade publications: AftermarketNews.com, Aftermarket Business, Auto & Truck International, Auto Trim & Restyling News, Automotive Marketing, Automotive Week, Counterman, Import Service, Jobber News, Motor Age, Motor Service, and Parts Professional.

For GAAS program registration information, phone 301/654-6664, fax 301/654-3299, or visit: www.globalsymposium.org.