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Auto Dealers to Descend on Capitol Hill May 17-18

6 May 1999

Auto Dealers to Descend on Capitol Hill May 17-18 for 22nd Annual Automotive Congress

    WASHINGTON, May 5 -- Automobile dealers from across the U.S.
will descend on Capitol Hill May 17-18 for the 22nd annual Automotive
Congress, sponsored by the American International Automobile Dealers
Association (AIADA).
    The largest grassroots lobbying event in the automotive industry, the
Automotive Congress brings together dealers from more than 40 states for two
days of issues briefings, workshops and speeches by political and industry
leaders, culminating with meetings with Members of Congress.  Congressional
visits will target three key issues:  the Estate (Death) Tax, the Auto Luxury
Tax and the Chicken Tax (25 percent duty on pickup trucks).  The JW Marriott
Hotel in Washington will serve as the headquarters for the Automotive
Congress.
    Elizabeth Dole, 2000 Republican presidential contender and former head of
the American Red Cross, will be a featured speaker.  Named by a Gallup poll as
one of "the world's ten most admired women," Dole will speak on the subject of
"An America We Can Be" during the Super Session on Monday, May 17, which
begins at 3:30 pm in the Capitol Ballroom. The Monday Super Session also
features:
    *  Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ).
    *  William Kristol. Editor of The Weekly Standard and a regular on This
       Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts.
    *  Norman Ornstein. A public policy expert from the American Enterprise
       Institute.
    *  Joseph D. O'Brien, Jr. AIADA 1999 Chairman of the Board, who will
       outline the association's legislative agenda.

    Tuesday's Super Session at 11:00 am will feature an unscripted panel
discussion on the challenges facing automakers in today's competitive global
environment.  Panelists will include:
    *  Mike Jackson. President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.
    *  Gerd Klauss. President & CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc.
    *  Richard Beattie. President & CEO, Mazda North American Operations.
    *  Robert Reilly. Senior Vice President, General Manager, Light Vehicles,
       American Isuzu Motors Inc.

    Mini-Sessions on retailing and business topics are featured throughout the
event, offering dealers professional development and educational
opportunities.  Numerous manufacturers and allied industry groups have
scheduled meetings and receptions throughout the Automotive Congress,
providing dealers additional networking opportunities with their peers and
manufacturing executives.
    The final event before dealers depart for their congressional appointments
is the Capitol Kick-Off Luncheon at noon Tuesday.   In addition to hearing
from featured speaker Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL), dealers will caucus at
this luncheon and receive a final briefing in preparation for their meetings
on Capitol Hill, which begin at 2:00 pm.
    The Automotive Congress officially adjourns at 5:30 pm after dealers
report in following their congressional visits.
    For more information or to register, call 1-800-GO-AIADA.
    AIADA is the trade association representing America's 10,000 franchised
international nameplate automobile retailers and their 350,000 employees who
sell and service world-class vehicles manufactured in the U.S. and abroad.