2013 Independent Automotive Professionals Symposium: Recap

The 2013 Independent Automotive Professionals Symposium was a great success thanks to all of YOU!

Check out highlights in Parts & People:

Vin Waterhouse:  http://partsandpeople.com/node/5113
Chris Chesney:  http://partsandpeople.com/node/5118
Toby Chess:  http://partsandpeople.com/node/5114
Sponsor Booths:  http://partsandpeople.com/node/5112

Collision Repairers Only Meeting - ASRW Announces Launch of The Auto Body Repairers Assembly

ASRW PRESS CONTACT:     
Shelby Hausler                                      
888-529-1641 / 972-536-6318          
www.ASRWevents.com
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASRW Announces Launch of The Auto Body Repairers Assembly
New, complimentary event exclusively for collision repairers

Dallas/Sept. 10, 2012 –  Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) is pleased to announce a new special event to be launched in New Orleans  – Auto Body Repairers Assembly. The Auto Body Repairers Assembly is limited strictly to qualified collision repairers and will take place Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 4:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. at the Morial Convention Center. Admission is complimentary for repair professionals, and registration is available online for the event.

The urgent need for collision repairers to have a forum to openly discuss their issues amongst their peers was brought to the attention of ASRW organizers by repair community leaders across the industry. In response, “The Auto Body Repairers Assembly” was created as an inaugural event and hosted as a natural extension of the activities that take place during ASRW.  Depending upon repairer response and interest, future events will be scheduled and The Assembly will become an ongoing venue for repairers to ensure their voice is heard.

“Like other organizations, repairers need their place to openly discuss issues important to them without filters and having to be politically correct,” stated Scott Biggs, Assured Performance Network CEO.

The event will not only provide an outlet for repairers to discuss operational issues and challenges, but will also create solutions through engagement of other key industry professionals.  Repairers and repair organizations are encouraged to bring their issues to the assembly and share their opinions.  The format is designed to funnel the issues and opinions of the assembly into resolutions, action items, and directed feedback depending upon the issue.

“As an event dedicated solely to the professional collision repair industry, NACE is a natural choice, and we’re happy to provide a home to launch this event,” said Ron Pyle, ASA president.

The “repairer only” aspects are a central theme and driving force for this event and the vision for future events.  To gain entry to the meeting, attendees must be verified collision repair professionals; a shop owner, management, employee or official representative of a repair business.  No exceptions will be allowed, and no one else will be permitted to attend the meeting (including other ASRW attendees, exhibitors and press). Prior registration, official credential requirements and security have been added to ensure compliance.

Steps will be taken to ensure The Assembly is in compliance with all Anti-Trust Guidelines.

About the Events
ASRW is scheduled for Oct. 10-13 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La. and includes the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), which makes it the industry’s leading event for dedicated professionals to conduct business, network and engage in industry issues. The Tradeshow News Network (TSNN) recognized ASRW as a 2011 Top 250 U.S. trade show. Online housing and attendee registration are open, and provides a variety of hotel options within the vicinity of the Morial Convention Center.

NACE – the world’s collision repair event – represents the only B2B event of its kind specifically designed for collision repair industry professionals from around the globe. NACE features a comprehensive educational Conference and Exposition with hundreds of diverse exhibiting companies displaying the latest equipment, products, services and technology available to today’s collision repair industry.

CARS – the premier event for automotive service professionals – features a high-quality education lineup led by industry leaders, along with an exhibitor showcase of automotive service and repair related equipment, products and services.

The ASRW media center is sponsored by searchautoparts.com/ABRN.

ASRW is produced for ASA by Hanley Wood Exhibitions, a division of Hanley Wood, LLC – a premier media and information company. For additional information, contact ASRW at P.O. Box 612128, Dallas, Texas 75261-2128; call (888) 529-1641 or (972) 536-6444; or visit www.ASRWevents.com.

About the Sponsor
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is the sponsor of ASRW and two of its shows, NACE and CARS. ASA is the largest international not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive industry through education, legislative representation and member services. For additional information about ASA or to join, go to www.ASAshop.org.

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ASRW-12-17

ACtion Write Up - Rick Burgard, ACDelco

Thank you for the support, ACDelco! We are excited to announce ACDelco will be a SPONSOR at the Jan 26, 2013 Symposium. 

**Read this great write up on Rick Burgard, ACDelco, who is confirmed to teach a course on the latest in new automotive technology; covering hybrid service concerns, new HVAC features, clutch less compressors government regulations, the latest’s in GM LAN communication, new Scan tool interface, & advanced propulsion Technology

Registration will open soon – mark your calendar!

 

 

Aug. 24 Deadline for Six Scholarships - Hurry!

Contact:                       Toni Slaton                 

                                    (800) 272-7467, ext. 129

                                    tslaton@amionline.org

                                    www.amionline.org

For Release:                 News Bulletin AMI-8

                                    August 2, 2012

AMI Accepting Applications for Six Scholarships

Hurry - Application Deadline is Aug. 24

Bedford, Texas, August 2, 2012 ­— The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) is accepting applications for the following six scholarships to be awarded this year: the Emil Stanley Merit Award, the BodyShop Business Magazine Scholarship, the Gale Westerlund/Richard Cossette Memorial Scholarship, the Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship, the Automotive Video Inc. (AVI) Educational Scholarship and the Zurich “High Octane” Scholarship.

Three scholarships help pay expenses for recipients to attend the 2012 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in New Orleans, Oct. 10-13. These scholarships are the Emil Stanley Merit Award, the BodyShop Business Magazine Scholarship and the Gale Westerlund/Richard Cossette Memorial Scholarship.

The $1,000 Emil Stanley Merit Award is awarded annually to an individual who works in an Automotive Service Association (ASA) Collision Division member-business in good standing and who displays a desire to improve their business skills through management education. The 2012 award marks the 22^nd year in which AMI and ASA have honored Emil Stanley with this commemorative management-oriented scholarship.

The $1,000 BodyShop Business Magazine Scholarship is also presented annually. AMI’s resource development effort, EXCEL, in conjunction with Babcox Media, established the scholarship that is awarded to an ASA Collision Division member-business in good standing and who displays a desire to improve their business skills through management education.

The $1,000 Gale Westerlund/Richard Cossette Memorial Scholarship is offered in conjunction with ASA to honor the contributions these individuals made to AMI, ASA and the collision repair industry.

NACE, the world’s largest collision repair event, is sponsored by ASA and offers world-class exhibits showcasing products and services, an educational lineup of AMI seminars, technical courses and industry sessions and the opportunity to network with other collision industry professionals.

The remaining three annual scholarships help cover expenses for recipients to attend the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in New Orleans, Oct. 10-13. These scholarships are the Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship, the Automotive Video Inc. (AVI) Educational Scholarship and the Zurich “High Octane” Scholarship.

The $1,000 Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship was established by EXCEL, in conjunction with Babcox Media. It is awarded to an ASA Mechanical Division member-business in good standing and who displays a desire to improve their business skills through management education.

The $1,000 Automotive Video Inc. (AVI) Educational Scholarship was established by EXCEL, in conjunction with AVI, a leader in automotive diagnostic and repair training programs for automotive repair professionals.

The $1,000 Zurich “High Octane” Scholarship was established by EXCEL, in conjunction with Zurich, formerly Universal Underwriters Group. It is awarded to an ASA Mechanical Division member-business in good standing and who displays a desire to improve their business skills through management education.

CARS, also sponsored by ASA, offers world-class exhibits showcasing products and services, an educational lineup of AMI seminars, technical courses and industry sessions and the opportunity to network with other automotive service professionals.

Additional details and requirements are available on the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.

To request a scholarship application, call AMI at (800) 272-7467, ext. 101, or fill out a scholarship application online at www.amionline.org. Applications must be received by AMI on or before Aug. 24, 2012. The scholarship recipient will be notified by AMI on or before Aug. 31, 2012.

AMI was established in 1989 to answer the demand for continuing education tailored specifically for the business needs of the automotive service industry. The Institute offers the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation, the first business management accreditation exclusively for the automotive service professional. To date, AMI programs have attracted more than 212,000 enrollments throughout North America. AMI is a not-for-profit educational foundation to which tax-deductible contributions can be made. For more information about the Institute, its curriculum, or EXCEL, please contact AMI at (800) 272-7467 ext. 129, or visit the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.

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Call for 2013 Symposium Sponsorship Support

SUPPORT US AS A SPONSOR  

Automotive Service Association of Colorado of Colorado, an organization dedicated to the independent automotive industry in Colorado, is in the planning stages of its annual Independent Automotive Professionals Symposium - Jan 26, 2013 at Denver West Marriott, Golden CO.

In the past the success of our event has largely been due to the contributions of our sponsors who have gone out of their way to lend financial and word of mouth support – Efforts resulted in a sold out 2012 Symposium!

We have several different packages for sponsorship.

*Contact kfoster@asacolorado.org or 303-202-5231 to get a event sponsorship packet sent to you.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

ASA Colorado Board of Directors

ASA Calls on State Farm to Show Benefit

Automotive Service Association®
P R E S S   R E L E A S E


Contact:        Angie Wilson
                    (800) 272-7467, ext. 116
                    angie@asashop.org
                  
For Release: Immediate
                   News Release ASA-19

ASA Calls on State Farm to Prove Benefit of Pilot Program from Repairer Perspective

COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS, June 12, 2012 – On May 31, the Automotive Service Association released the facts gathered by the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee relating to the State Farm electronic parts ordering pilot program. The committee has held numerous meetings and conference calls on this issue. Since the release of this information, ASA has continued to represent repairers on this important issue and is working directly with all parties involved to do everything possible on behalf of its members.

            ASA has released its findings and points of concern based on its research. Research to date has included interviews with State Farm, PartsTrader and collision repairers – those who participate in direct repair program agreements (including some who are currently participating in the pilot of this application), and those who don’t participate in DRPs. ASA members across the nation including those in ASA’s affiliated associations, and in particular, ASA’s collision operations committee, have devoted time to address concerns about the State Farm pilot.

            “If this is a ‘win-win’ situation, as stated by State Farm, then now is the time for State Farm to provide the numerical data that specifically identifies any benefit (financially or operationally) to Select Service shops,” said Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager. “If State Farm is not able to clearly demonstrate the benefits of this pilot application to the repair community, then this application should not move forward.”

            ASA will continue to determine the long-term impact and other immediate concerns that this program application would have on repairers by continuing to stay engaged with all parties involved. To date, ASA has the “details of the application.” Now it is State Farm’s obligation to provide evidence that this program application is beneficial for collision repairers and the motoring public.

           All ASA announcements and documents regarding the State Farm pilot are conveniently located on the association’s website, www.ASAshop.org. Click on “Tools & Resources” (in the blue menu bar on the home page), then “State Farm Pilot Program.” (The site is best viewed using the Firefox browser.)

           “The State Farm pilot of the PartsTrader application has generated a great deal of speculation and commentary from all corners of the collision repair industry, so it was incumbent on ASA to perform comprehensive due diligence on behalf of its members and the repair community at large. The results of that exercise have been published and now we believe the ‘burden of proof’ falls to State Farm to demonstrate the benefit of this program as soon as practically possible,” said Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief executive officer.

            Collision repairers may share their concerns, comments and experiences regarding the pilot program by contacting Denise Caspersen at denisec@ASAshop.org, or by phone at (800) ASA-SHOP, ext. 106, or (817) 514-2906 (direct).

            To learn more about ASA’s dedication to service and repair professionals, the value of ASA membership and how to join, visit www.ASAshop.org or call (800) 272-7467, ext. 361.

            The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.

# # #

A collection of ASA announcements related to the pilot program is located on the ASA website at www.ASAshop.org (Tools & Resources > State Farm Pilot Program).

Direct link to the release: http://www.asashop.org/ASA/Press_Releases/2012_Press_Releases/2012_asa19.aspx

Attend Pinnacol's Risk Management Symposiums: June 2012

 

Making Colorado a Safer Place to Work: Pinnacol's Risk Management Symposiums

For the third consecutive year, Pinnacol is hosting our Risk Management Symposium. This training is free to Pinnacol policyholders, and will be presented in two locations:

• Denver: June 20 and 21, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
• Grand Junction: June 27, Two Rivers Convention Center

 Select training sessions that might be of interest to ASA Members:

• Effective Safety Training
• Managing Safety Through Good Hiring Practices
• How to Prepare for OSHA Inspections

Questions? Please contact Pinnacol -  Shawna Ratner, shawna.ratner@pinnacol.com, 303.361.4788

**Learn more and view full agendas at:  http://www.pinnacol.com/employer/training