Pete and Annie Kornafel Issue Matching Grant Challenge For First Time GAAS Scholarship Donors and Event Sponsors

Pete Kornafel, chair of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee, along with his wife, Annie, have issued a matching grant challenge to the automotive aftermarket.  Called "The Kornafel Matching Challenge," the couple will match, dollar for dollar, the contributions of first-time donors to the GAAS Scholarship Fund and first-time sponsors of the 2011 GAAS event. The Kornafel Matching Challenge is capped at a total aggregate of $15,000.

"We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Pete and Annie for this wonderful cause of educating future leaders in our industry," said Dave Caracci, Chairman of GAAS. "I'm hopeful that many individuals and companies who have never contributed to the GAAS Scholarship Fund or sponsored our event, will step forward to meet this challenge."

The 2011 edition of GAAS will focus on the theme "Aftermarket Fast Forward: What You Need to Know to Stay Ahead” when it convenes Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare near Chicago. GAAS 2011 marks the 16th anniversary of the event that annually gathers the leaders of the automotive aftermarket for education and networking opportunities.

Events at GAAS 2011 still available for sponsorship include a lunch, two breakfast sessions, interactive handheld devices, and advertising in the onsite program. A brochure outlining all 2011 GAAS sponsorship opportunities is available for download at the GAAS website under the "Sponsorship" tab or contact Barbara Clark at (703) 727-7505 or e-mail: barbara.clark@aftermarket.org.

Applications are now being accepted online for the 2011 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship, awarded to students planning automotive aftermarket careers. The application process is now entirely electronic through the GAAS scholarship Web site, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com. The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 31, 2011.
By completing a single online application at the GAAS Web site, students will be considered for GAAS scholarships, plus scholarships from a number of industry partners. In 2010, a total of 136 students were awarded 155 scholarships by the GAAS Scholarship fund, its contributors and other groups collaborating with the GAAS Scholarship Web site, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com.

Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at (301) 654-6664, or susan.medick@aftermarket.org. For more information on GAAS 2011, visit www.globalsymposium.org or phone (301) 654-6664.