BETHESDA, MD — With three distinct educational segments, the 2006 Aftermarket eForum promises to be another blockbuster event. Scheduled to take place July 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, the 2006 eForum is designed to appeal to executives and decision makers as well as IT and e-business managers from all segments and functions of the industry.

Now entering its sixth year, the Aftermarket eForum is produced by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), in conjunction with Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The show provides an educational and business development symposium dedicated to e-commerce and supply chain technology solutions in the vehicle aftermarket.

“Other conferences try to be all things to all people,” said Scott Luckett, vice president of technology Standards and Solutions for AAIA and chairman of the eForum Planning Committee. “But we understand that the time and travel budgets of our members are precious resources and we have to provide great value in an efficient format if we are going to meet the needs of our members and the industry.”

For 2006 the Aftermarket eForum has been organized into three distinct components. This allows attendees to schedule their time at the event to derive the most value in the shortest possible time.

• The opening afternoon on Monday, July 17 will be devoted to themed educational tracks designed to appeal to decision makers and executives. In the “track” format attendees can choose a topic such as web-based marketing or standards-based technology 101, and fully explore the subject with chapter-like presentations and plenty of opportunity for interaction.

• The following full day on Tuesday, July 18 is the heart of the program and provides the topical featured speakers and panel discussions that the eForum has become known for. In 2006 the eForum will bring back some of the top industry leaders who have spoken over the past five years to get an update on the state of the digital aftermarket and an assessment of today’s challenges and opportunities. This year the eForum will explore the emergence of the automotive-etailers such as Amazon and address concerns about protecting intellectual property and IT ethics in a digital world.

• The program will conclude the following morning, Wednesday, July 19, with practical breakout session topics focused heavily on take-it-home-and-use-it information that will appeal to manufacturers, distributors and retailers. By repeating the sessions, attendees can sit in on more than one topic and have plenty of ideas to mull over on the plane ride home.

In addition, eForum organizers are encouraging distribution program groups, association committees and other groups to plan a meeting in conjunction with the Aftermarket eForum, to take advantage of the venue and critical gathering of aftermarket leaders and decision makers.

For more information on the 2006 Aftermarket eForum, visit: www.AftermarketeForum.com or contact Barbara Clark of AAIA at (301) 654-6664.

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