Washington Automotive Wholesalers Association

Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium returns to Chicago May 18-19 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare

With a theme of “Aftermarket Next: Insights on a New Generation of Customers and Employees,” the 15th edition of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) will be held Tuesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 19 at the Hyatt Regency near Chicago.  “Let's face it, the way many of us have done business has radically changed,” said Dave Caracci, GAAS chairman.  "New technology has enabled our industry to reach a new breed of customers and employees through Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

This year's GAAS will provide attendees with profitable insights so their company can walk away with new strategies, marketing initiatives and research to help them reach this new generation." Among the presentations that will address the theme are:

• “Turnaround Growth & Survival Through People” with Jim Wright, chairman & CEO, Tractor Supply,
• “Gen Y: Shifting Away From Cars” with Mike Cooperman, senior director of Marketing, J.D. Power Web Intelligence, and
• “Supplying 2 a nu gNR8N: Are You Ready for What's Now? Innovations in Marketing & Branding” a panel discussion with Jim Brown, director of Marketing Services Honeywell; Jeff Koviak, director of national sales, Tenneco; and Alicia Smales, vice of president of marketing, Snap-on.

In addition, GAAS 2010 will feature presentations on the Chinese aftermarket, a new mindset to capture unperformed maintenance, restructuring of the automotive industry and its impact on the aftermarket, and a panel discussion with shop owners and specialty manufacturers on how to service tomorrow's cars. To help promote GAAS, industry leaders are invited to connect with the event through social media at Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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. For more information on GAAS 2010, visit www.globalsymposium.org or phone (301) 654-6664.

About the Global Automotive Aftermarket SymposiumFounded in 1996, the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) has become the premier industry conference for senior-level aftermarket executives. The net proceeds from the event go toward funding industry scholarships. In 2009, 75 students who plan careers in the automotive aftermarket received GAAS Scholarships to help get their industry careersstarted. In the thirteen years of the program, more than 1,400 students have received aid totaling more than $1,400,000.  Details about the GAAS scholarship program are available at www.automotivescholarships.com. 

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive

Washington’s minimum wage will not increase in 2010 but will remain the same at $8.55 an hour because the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months did not increase.  The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) recalculates the state’s minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688, which was approved by Washington voters in 1998. The law requires that the state minimum wage be increased for inflation each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the 12 months ending each Aug. 31.

The CPI-W is a national index covering the cost of goods and services needed for day-to-day living. It decreased 1.9 percent during the 12?month period ending in August, compared to a 5.9 percent increase during the same period in 2008, which led to a 48-cents-an-hour increase in the 2009 minimum wage.This is the first time since the initiative passed that there is no increase in the state’s minimum wage.

Employers may continue using the current minimum wage poster for another year. Washington’s minimum wage applies to workers in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, although 14? and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $7.27.Washington is one of ten states, with Oregon, Vermont, Ohio, Nevada, Montana, Missouri, Florida, Colorado, and Arizona, that adjusts the minimum wage based on inflation. 

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

· 50 cents per mile for business miles driven

· 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes

· 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations 

The new rates for business, medical and moving purposes are slightly lower than last year’s. The mileage rates for 2010 reflect generally lower transportation costs compared to a year ago.The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study.

A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle.

In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for any vehicle used for hire or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.