Wayne Xing China Business Update to Present Opening Address At Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium

Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Wayne Xing, Ph.D, editor and publisher of China Business Update, will give the opening address at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), set for Wednesday and Thursday, May 11-12, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago, Ill.

Dr. Xing is the founder of China Business Update, a publishing, market intelligence and consulting firm in operation since 1994. Based in Amherst, Mass., CBU has offices in Beijing and Shanghai as well as correspondents and research associates in major automotive manufacturing cities in China.

China Business Update publishes two weekly e-newsletters, CBU-Auto and CBU-AutoEnews, and a monthly e-newsletter, CBU-Autostats. In addition, CBU publishes an annual report on China’s automobile market, an annual directory of OE and supplier manufacturers in China, collections of Chinese automotive laws and regulations and special reports on the world’s largest emerging automobile market. Since 1996, CBU organizes an annual international conference on China’s automobile market. Dr. Xing and his team also offer customized market research and consulting on China related business deals.

The theme for GAAS 2005 is “Lessons from the Past, Perspectives on the Future”. It also will include a motivational address by Joe Gibbs, coach of the Washington Redskins and team owner of Joe Gibbs Racing; a discussion of marketing, service and business excellence by Donald Cooper, international business coach and speaker; a look at the “Past, Present and Future” by Dr. David Fry of Northwood University; and an update on the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign by Jay Burhart, vice president of global marketing and brand strategy for Federal-Mogul Corp. Several popular panel discussions are planned covering manufacturing, service and repair, and retail/wholesale distribution.

GAAS registration information is available at www.globalsymposium.org.
This year’s Symposium will mark the event’s 10th anniversary. The first Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium was held Sept. 25-26, 1996, at the Hyatt Regency Deerfield Hotel in the suburban Chicago area. From its humble beginnings, the Symposium has grown to be the industry’s leading educational forum.

All of the net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. The anniversary year will mark a significant milestone when the Symposium surpasses $1 million in scholarship funds awarded to more than 1,000 students. Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at www.automotivescholarships.com.

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA), and University of the Aftermarket.

R. L. Polk & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.