Online Registration Now Open for 2012 Aftermarket Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.

Online registration for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) 2012 Aftermarket Legislative Summit, March 14-15, is now available.

“The Legislative Summit provides an opportunity for aftermarket professionals to come to Capitol Hill to meet with key congressional leaders and discuss issues that affect and impact their businesses,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA. “Further, with all representatives and a third of senators running for re-election, this is an excellent time for the aftermarket industry to be in the nation’s capital in order to make its collective voices heard.”

AAIA says summit participants will be thoroughly coached and prepared for their congressional visits during an issue briefing session that will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 14. The briefing will be held at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, near the U.S. Capitol.

A reception will be held on Capitol Hill the evening of March 14 to provide an informal setting for members to meet legislators and their staff. Attendees will spend Thursday, March 15 walking the halls of Congress meeting their elected officials and staffs. AAIA staff will set up appointments for participants with their district representative and two U.S. senators.

There is no cost to attend the summit; attendees only need to pay their own travel and accommodation expenses.

For information on how to register, visit www.aftermarket.org. The registration deadline is Feb. 3, 2012.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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