Automotive Parts Associates, Inc. 'Raises the Bar' at Their 23rd Annual Shareholders & Manufacturers Conference in Las Vegas

LENEXA, Kan., May 15, 2003 -- Automotive Parts Associates (APA)/Professionals' Choice Auto Parts, a member owned cooperative of independent warehouse distributors, hosted their 23rd Annual Shareholders & Manufacturers conference February 27-March 2, 2003. The conference was held at the Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada and proved to be interactive, informative, and educational.

Automotive Parts Associates, Inc. seized this opportunity to broadcast the success of their 2002 promotions including the Box Top Rewards Program, Richard Petty Experience of a Lifetime Sweepstakes, Kansas Speedway Weekend of Racing Sweepstakes and the Professionals' Choice Auto Parts Anchor's Away Cruise which boasted over 700 happy participants.

Guest speaker Al Gaspar, AAP president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Associations (AAIA), Bethesda, MD kicked off the APA Shareholder business session on February 28, 2003. Mr. Gaspar gave an informative presentation on industry related statistics, Pay on Scan (POS) and the features and benefits of APA's group membership status in the AAIA association.

Vendor recognition awards were presented to those vendors who went beyond the call of duty in 2002 for the members of Automotive Parts Associates, Inc. Chris Jackson-Vice President of AMS Automotive Clutch Systems accepted the award for "Professional's Choice Vendor of the Year". John Peterson -- National Sales Manager of Airtex accepted the award for "Preferred Vendor of the Year" and Bill Schmidt -- of Bosch accepted the award for "Approved Vendor of the Year."

The Professionals' Choice Auto Parts annual golf tournament was held Thursday February 27, 2003 at the lovely Pauite Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada. Several golfers received trophies for their outstanding "green" efforts. The male and female award categories included; "closest to the pin", "hole in one", "longest drive", and "best overall team score." The proceeds of the tournament will be used to establish an endowment in the name of Automotive Parts Associates, Inc. at Northwood University.

   For more information visit: http://www.professionalschoice.com/ .

   Automotive Parts Associates, Inc./Professionals' Choice Auto Parts
   10551 Lackman Rd. Lenexa KS 66219 Voice: 800-552-4049 Fax: 913-310-9255