April 29, 2015—The Auto Care Association unveiled its first-ever State of the Auto Care Industry Report Wednesday at the inaugural State of the Auto Care Industry Forum at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Marcus Jadotte, assistant secretary of commerce for industry and analysis for the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, was the keynote speaker and was joined by VIP presenters from Google, UPS, AAA, IHS Automotive, and NASCAR driver and team owner Michael Waltrip.
“The overwhelming feedback from attendees and participants at the forum about the valuable content of the report, and the high quality and insightful presentations by the industry thought leaders, makes a very strong case for the State of the Auto Care Industry Forum to truly become an annual event,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association.
The forum was attended by policymakers and regulators, automotive-related trade association leaders, business and financial experts and media.
Preceding the forum were two events designed to promote the auto care industry, including a Congressional briefing hosted by Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) at the Cannon House Office Building, and a Congressional reception, hosted by the association at the Rayburn House Office Building. Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip was a featured speaker at the briefing and was the special guest at the reception, where he took photos with hill staffers and guests and signed autographs. More than 250 people attended the reception.
