Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance President & CEO John R. Washbish speaks at the Winter Shareholder Meeting.

The Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc., the program group headquarters for Auto Value, kicked off its annual Winter Shareholder Meeting at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry in Aventura, Fla. with nearly 500 in attendance from shareholders as well as their valued channel partners.

The December business event includes a series of departmental updates, information technology user group workshops, commercial vehicle and heavy-duty sessions, a Latin America shareholder meeting, social mixers, meals, and a joint general session for shareholders and channel partners.

On Tuesday evening, the Alliance will host their annual Channel Partner awards banquet where the Alliance shareholders announce their prestigious supplier award winners and Channel Partner of the Year winner for 2022.

Sunday morning began with departmental committee meetings including Category Management, Information Technology, Operations, National Accounts, and Sales & Marketing.

The afternoon was a mix of open sessions, including an Information Technology and Operations joint session, as well as a Commercial Vehicle and Heavy-Duty session with presentations from several key product and IT partners.

The evening included a reception at the resort’s stunning Cascata Pool area.

“The Winter Shareholder Meeting is always a highlight of the year, bringing together shareholder owners, principals and executives as well as our valued Channel Partners,” said John R. Washbish, president and CEO of the Alliance.

“It’s a time to celebrate an amazing 2022 as partners, but also get down to business, network, and build for the year to come.”Monday includes an opening general session for shareholder members with a headquarters report from Washbish.

Other topics include category management initiatives, information technology updates, the growing commercial vehicle and heavy-duty program, the recent Aftermarket Jackpot Convention in Las Vegas, AAPEX, and more.

Monday afternoon also includes a “social showcase” networking event where channel partners mix with shareholder members in a casual but business focused atmosphere.

Tuesday will bring channel partners into the mix with a joint general session, and then an afternoon of golf, fishing, or poker, and then the week will culminate at the Tuesday night banquet, where the channel partner awards will be announced.

“2022 was robust, fruitful and was filled with highlights for the Alliance but we would not be where we are without the collaboration of our channel partners,” said Dale E. Hopkins, Vice President and CIO at the Alliance.

“The industry partnerships are what make this program group successful. We are planning for the future and getting ready for a very exciting 2023.”