WASHINGTON, D.C. and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Executives from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) will join more than 100 of their counterparts from other motor vehicle parts manufacturing companies in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 29 – March 1, for the annual Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Legislative Summit. AASA members will take the message of what is needed to help the nation’s automotive aftermarket suppliers to Capitol Hill.

“We need Washington to understand what it is doing well and what it is doing that is harmful to the ability of our industry to sustain and create jobs,” said Bob McKenna, MEMA’s president and CEO. “The Legislative Summit brings the industry together to have a constructive dialogue with elected officials on advanced vehicle technology, research and development, burdensome regulations, and other critical issues.”

“With the focus in Washington on helping the nation’s economy grow, aftermarket suppliers have a great opportunity to work with members of Congress on policies that will help the industry prosper,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA. “AASA members look forward to the conversations and the work that will be needed to move the aftermarket and the nation forward.”

Participants will visit approximately 140 Congressional offices during the course of the Legislative Summit. The program also features respected political and policy experts including:

• Stu Rothenberg, noted political commentator and publisher of the Rothenberg Political Report;
• Phil English, senior government relations advisor at Arent Fox and former seven-term Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s Fourth District;
• Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM);
• Karen Harbert, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy;
• Gregory M. Cohen, president, American Highway Users Alliance; and
• Geoff Burr, chairman of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace.

The parts suppliers also will present the Joseph M. Magliochetti Award to Rep. Todd Rokita of Indiana’s Fourth District.

About AASA

AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is an affiliate of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, The Voice for the Automotive Aftermarket Supplier Industry”

About MEMA

Suppliers manufacture the parts and technology used in domestic production of new cars and trucks produced each year, and the aftermarket products necessary to repair and maintain more than 248 million vehicles on the road today.

MEMA supports its members through its four affiliate associations, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA), Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA) and Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). MEMA represents more than 700 member companies with global motor vehicle parts sales exceeding $600 billion and 65 percent of North American automotive supplier sales. For more information on the motor vehicle parts supplier industry, visit www.mema.org.