From the Heart of San Francisco

I’m writing to you from the historic Palace Hotel on the beautiful west coast, and breeze from the bay is a wonderful and welcome break from the late summer heat of D.C. Right now, I am joined by almost 400 of your association’s dedicated volunteer leaders for the 2012 Fall Leadership Days, where more than 30 meetings are being held this week of your association segment and standing committees, as well as the board of directors and other special program committees.

The buzz about the recent passage of the Massachusetts Right to Repair Act is positive and exciting, and an update on the next steps will be given during lunch today. Also at today’s luncheon, attendees will hear from Wells Fargo Capital Management’s Gary Schlossberg, who will present “The Economic and Interest Rate Outlook Through 2013: Coping with the Post-Meltdown Economy.” Our thanks to Polk for their generous sponsorship of Fall Leadership Days – these events are where we set the goals and programs that the association will accomplish on behalf of its entire membership.

Even after more than 10 years as CEO of AAIA, I am still impressed that so many aftermarket thought leaders are willing to take time away from their businesses to help set the course for the association. This week, the heart of your association is truly in San Francisco – but we’re not leaving it there.