Top speakers lined up for Aftermarket Distribution Summit

Aug 8, 2009

General session speakers for the first annual Aftermarket Distribution Summit include a best-selling author and business growth expert, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and a distribution technology and strategic planning specialist.

“The speaker lineup for the inaugural Aftermarket Distribution Summit delivers attendees needed content from high-profile speakers that will address the pressing issues faced today by aftermarket professionals,” said Ken Duval, CVSN president and president of Canadian Wheel Industries. “These speakers set the stage for a must-attend event with valuable takeaway knowledge and strategies.”

The Aftermarket Distribution Summit is expected to draw hundreds of truck industry aftermarket professionals to its debut Sept. 12-16 on Amelia Island, Fla. The new event combines the annual Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network meeting, the HDX Technology Conference and Truck Parts & Service magazine’s Truck Parts Seminar. Details for distributors and suppliers, including registration information, is available at www.AftermarketDistributionSummit.org.

The general session speakers are:

Steven S. Little: A much sought after expert on the subject of business growth and the future of opportunity. His style has been described as “real world,” “highly credible” and “uniquely engaging.” He is the author of the best-selling books The 7 Irrefutable Rules of Small Business Growth and The Milkshake Moment: Overcoming Stupid Systems, Pointless Policies and Muddled Management to Realize Real Growth.

Michael Bryan: A vice president and senior economist in the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. He is responsible for organizing the agency’s monetary policy process. Bryan previously served as vice president in the research department at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland where he specialized in business analysis with an emphasis on measuring and tracking inflation trends. In 1986, he served as an economist in the research division of the Federal Reserve System’s Board of Governors in Washington, D.C.

Steve Deist: The strategic planning and sales effectiveness specialist from the Indian River Consulting Group. Diest will be the Keynote Speaker for the HDX technology track, speaking on the importance of strengthening IT projects during tough economic periods, and focusing resources to get the most for the money. He has more than 17 years of experience in the distribution field and a strong background in business process re-engineering and technology implementation.

Steve Evans: The senior vice president, Information Systems, for the PGA Tour, which he has been with for 22 years. Evans will also do a presentation during the HDX technology track. His responsibilities include oversight of technology for the PGA Tour and its subsidiaries including technology support for over 1,200 employees, 400 players, 150 player managers, 22 Tournament Players Clubs, 10 Broadcast Partners, the World Golf Hall of Fame and over 100 tournament organizers.

In addition to the speaker lineup, the Aftermarket Distribution Summit will feature an array of business sessions with issue-driven panels, interactive breakout sessions and a focused technology track presented by HDX.

Panels include: What Customers Want, What the Channel Needs and Protecting Product Brand and Brand Integrity. The technology track features a Bridging the Gap IT panel and a session on Prioritizing IT Projects and Maximizing ROI.

Additionally, the Aftermarket Distribution Summit will include private strategic planning sessions scheduled between distributors and suppliers; networking opportunities, including the Tenneco Challenge Golf Tournament and deep sea fishing; and presentation of the CVSN President’s Award to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry. Regarding the latter, the 2009 recipient is industry veteran and retired EUCLID President Ray Zukowski.

Top speakers lined up for Aftermarket Distribution Summit

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