
The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance kicked off its 2024 Alliance Winter Shareholder Meeting at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry in Aventura, Fla., with its largest gathering yet. The event attracted over 500 attendees, including shareholders, channel partners, and industry leaders.
This year’s Winter Shareholder Meeting featured a comprehensive agenda packed with a series of informative sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Highlights include updates from key departments, committee meetings, a comprehensive general session and eCommerce tool workshop.
The event kicked off on Sunday with a series of departmental committee meetings, including Category Management, Information Technology, Warehouse Operations, and Sales & Marketing. In the afternoon, attendees participated in specialized sessions such as the National Account and Certified Service Center, Heavy- Duty and Information Technology, as well as Store Operations roundtables. The day concluded with a reception at the resort’s picturesque Cascata Pool.
“The Alliance Winter Shareholder Meeting is an essential event for bringing together the best in the aftermarket auto parts industry,” says JC Washbish, president of the Alliance. “It’s a time to reflect on the successes of the past year while planning for the future. The opportunity for shareholders to engage directly with their manufacturing channel partners and build lasting relationships is invaluable.”
Monday’s agenda began with a loaded general session exclusive to shareholders, featuring key updates on membership, category management, IT, and sales. A highlight of the day is the “Social Showcase,” — an interactive networking mixer designed to strengthen partnerships across the Alliance’s diverse membership and channel partners. Monday evening will be capped with a reception at the Tidal Cove Pool.
“The Winter Meeting is the most important meeting of the year!” says Todd Leimenstoll, CEO and president of Auto-Wares “Looking ahead to 2024, we are excited to continue working closely with our partners to ensure shared success across the entire industry.”
Tuesday’s joint general session will bring shareholders and channel partners together for more discussions and strategy sessions. The afternoon will include a variety of leisure activities such as golf, fishing, and poker, and will culminate with the evening’s highlight—the Channel Partner Awards Banquet. During the banquet, the Alliance will announce the winners of the prestigious Channel Partner of the Year Award and recognize outstanding supplier achievements for 2024.
"The Channel Partner Awards Banquet is more than just a ceremony—it’s a celebration of the hard work, creativity, and teamwork that make this industry thrive. It’s a privilege to be part of an event that highlights these outstanding achievements and fosters even greater collaboration moving forward" says Justin Hebert, vice president of category management at the Alliance.