GAAS NR-0200 
For more information, contact
Gary D. McCoy, Fairway Communications
Phone: 847/622-7228, Fax 847/622-7229

2001 Global Symposium Scholarship Applications Available; $1,000 Scholarships to be Awarded

BETHESDA, MD - September 27, 2000 - Demonstrating its commitment to invest in the future of the industry, the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee is now accepting 2001 scholarship applications. The deadline is February 28, 2001. "While all students are encouraged to apply, priority in awarding scholarships will be given to those pursuing a career in the automotive aftermarket," said GAAS chairman Mort Schwartz.

Scholarship applications are available from the eight industry associations who sponsor GAAS, and from the University of the Aftermarket at 816-523-8118, or at the organization’s website: www.univaftmkt.org. 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. Employees of GAAS sponsoring associations and their family members are not eligible.

Schwartz notes that in order to be eligible for a $1,000 GAAS scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or a NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) accredited automotive technical program in the U.S. or Canada. Graduate programs and part-time undergraduate programs do not qualify.

259 students have received GAAS scholarships since the program began in 1996, including 69 students in 2000. As a bonus, a matching grant is awarded to all scholarship recipients who graduate from their program and show proof of employment in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months after graduation. -more- Global Symposium Scholarship Application -

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 Service, and Parts Professional.

For GAAS program registration information, contact Michael Barratt, AAIA, 301/654-6664, or e-mail: michael.barratt@aftermarket.org.