Naples, 13.06.2010

I.DI.A INTERNATIONAL 2010 Convention

From the 6th to the 12th of June, I.DI.A International celebrated its 10-year anniversary by hosting the I.DI.A International 2010 Convention in the beautiful settings of the Forte Village holiday resort on the island of Sardinia.

Approximately 1000 guests attended, including I.DI.A International shareholders and staff, and members of the consortium’s Point Service garage network (both jobbers and mechanics). Over 20 of the group’s sponsor suppliers also attended.

The week-long event provided guests with the opportunity to enjoy the numerous facilities present in the luxurious resort, and also to participate in a wide range of organised activities and sporting tournaments which were sponsored by some of the I.DI.A suppliers.

However it wasn’t simply a week of relaxation, with guests being encouraged to also take part in the “work-orientated” events organised towards the end of the week.

On the Wednesday, separate training sessions were held by two of the company’s suppliers which were specifically directed at the mechanics present (“Online Cataloguing and Stock Management”, and “The Collection and Disposal of Waste Materials from the Workshop”).

The Friday saw the turn of the jobbers to take advantage of an organised training event, which specifically targeted the subject of “The Choice of Strategic Suppliers for Strategic Clients” which was held by a representative of the Politechnico of Turin.

Thursday however was the highlight of the week, giving host to the 10th I.DI.A International Annual Convention. The group’s sponsor suppliers were given the opportunity to be in direct contact with all the attendees present thanks to a “trade-fair” event held in an exhibition area prior to the Convention. Then followed the Convention itself, hosted by the Chairman of I.DI.A International, Mr Vittorio Amura, and the company’s Marketing Manager, Ms. Eleonora Simeone. Presentations were given by Mr Bruno Beccari, Chairman of ADIRA (“Assosciation of Independent Automotive Spare Parts Distributors”) and Co-ordinator of the R2R campaign in Italy; David Giardino, Editor of the leading Italian trade magazine “Notizario Motoristico”; and Dott. Stefano Malinconico, member of the Italian Anti-Trust for Industry and Services.

Important issues were covered during the event including :

• New vehicle production and purchase statistics
• The future of the car industry
• The recent update of the Block Exemption Regulation
• The evolution of the Independent Aftermarket
• A qualitative and quantitative analysis of I.DI.A’s competitors
• Instruments to help future business growth
• Commercial and marketing strategies
• The launch of the I.DI.A International private label battery project
• Advertising campaigns
• The nationwide Point Service 2010 promotion
• New I.DI.A / Point Service service supplier agreements

The finale of the Convention saw a particularly special moment when Mr Vittorio Amura was presented by Mr Pier Paolo Patat, Commercial Director for Italy of the “Vehicle Spare Parts” sector of Robert Bosch S.p.A., with a special award recognising his contribution to I.DI.A International and the Point Service network over the last 10 years.

The enormously successful day was concluded with a Gala Dinner followed by a spectacular laser show and a casino event.

I.DI.A International would like to thank everyone who contributed to such a successful event, and looks forward to holding its next decade anniversary in 2020 !!