The Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), in partnership with the University of the Aftermarket, has announced the final line-up of speakers and topics for its expanded education program on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. to open this year’s AWDA Business and Education Conference at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev. Registration is free for all AWDA conference registrants. Non-attendees pay $50 per person for all sessions. Attendees will receive 0.3 continuing education units (CEUs) toward the Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) or Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designations from the University of the Aftermarket.
The program, co-sponsored by Stant and Plews & Edelmann, will begin with a general session on ecommerce and the DIFM and DIY customer. Presentations by Bryan Murphy (eBay Motors) and Steve Bieszczat (Epicor) will address e-commerce from the DIY and DIFM perspectives and how traditional distribution fits into both market spaces.
The general session will be followed by three breakouts, each focusing on a particular aspect of distribution and parts store operations:
- Finance Track Breakout - Key Financial Drivers for Stores and WDs. Instructor, Rick Guirlinger, CPA, MBA This session will discuss: gross margin analysis of major publicly traded retailers, inventory investment and turnover, accounts payable and its impact on inventory investment, gross margin return on inventory investment and the “mix” of WD margin, independent store margin, and owned margin.
- Store Operations Track Breakout: Anti-Fraud Tactics for Auto Parts Stores. Instructor, Brett Hunkins, JD, CPA, certified forensic examiner. This session will discuss store fraud and introduce tactics to identify and eliminate this costly problem.
- Warehouse Operations Track Breakout: WD Inventory Management: Best Practices; Supplier Collaboration, Analytics, Tools, Insights and Execution. Instructor, Jon Rubich, president, Insights2Action, will discuss how third party data, combined with technology can drive valuable inventory management insights and significantly improve marketplace visibility in the distribution and assortment process.
For additional information about this program, contact AWDA at 301-654-6664 or the University of the Aftermarket at 800-551-2882
