Michigan Automotive Parts Association Collaborates With

Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium on Industry Scholarships

Research Triangle Park, N.C. – The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that the Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA) will be collaborating in creating an online scholarship resource for students planning to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket.

Applicants at the automotive scholarships Web site, www.automotivescholarships.com, will now be placed in consideration for three $1,000 MAPA scholarship awards to be presented in 2010.

“We are pleased to be collaborating with GAAS in this educational opportunity that will not only enhance MAPA scholarship program, but will provide students from Michigan planning to pursue automotive aftermarket careers a one-stop resource for assistance with their education,” said Debbie Cook, executive director, MAPA.

“We are very proud to have MAPA as another state automotive association joining with the GAAS scholarship program in creating this valuable resource for students, and promoting this investment in our industry’s future,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee.

In addition to MAPA, GAAS collaborates with these state associations and other automotive groups:
•    Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT)
•    Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS)
•    Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS)
•    Automotive Parts & Services Association (APSA)
•    Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA of IL)
•    Arizona/California/Nevada Automotive Wholesaler’s Association (CAWA)
•    Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA)
•    New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)
•    Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA)

In 2009, a total of 75 students – 68 in the United States and 7 in Canada – were awarded scholarships by the GAAS scholarship fund and its contributors. Another 41 awards were made by other groups collaborating with GAAS. 10 students received multiple awards. Individual scholarships ranged from $250 to $2,000. A second round of donations in July was made possible by donations of more than $10,000 at GAAS 2009. In its 14-year history, the fund has presented more than $1.4 million in awards to more than 1,400 students.

Applications are now being accepted online for the 2010 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship, awarded to students planning automotive aftermarket careers. The electronic application is available at www.automotivescholarships.com. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

About the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium

The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. The 2010 event is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, Ill. Details are at www.globalsymposium.org.

About the GAAS Scholarship Program

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.