Regardless of the industry, things seem to move slower during the summer. There's one place, however, where there is absolutely no summer slowdown: ASA.

Summers at ASA are an in-between time, but it's a very busy in-between. We're working backward, implementing industry initiatives that resulted from summits held in the spring. We're working forward, planning upcoming conventions. And, we're working for today, introducing new member benefits.

Working backward

During the last week of May, the ASA Collision Division held a series of summits with paint companies, information providers, insurers, aftermarket parts distributors and shop owners. It is always ASA's goal to advance the cause of the shop owner. This is most evident when we bring together different segments of the industry.

Every ASA Collision Division member was mailed a letter in July highlighting the accomplishments of the May summits. If you're a collision member, I hope you took time to read the letter because the outcome of these meetings will have a direct and positive impact on your shop.

Working forward

ASA is putting together the November Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) convention and the December International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE). Preparations are also well under way for next April's Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii.

Since CARS will be the first of these events, I'll touch on it here by encouraging every Mechanical Division member to attend and bring your lead tech. In addition to three management seminars, there will be eight technical courses taught by such renowned instructors as Jim Linder and Mark Warren.

CARS will be held Nov. 2-4 in Las Vegas. Visit the ASA Web site (www.asashop.org) or watch your mail for registration information.

Working for today

ASA continues putting together new member benefits to help you do your job better and run your business more profitably. One national member benefit that we're finalizing now is very exciting. Beginning next month, ASA members will be eligible to participate in the Car Care ONE, 90 Days Same as Cash program, administered by GE Capital.

John Scully, ASA's vice president of membership, tells me there will be complete information on this new member benefit in next month's AutoInc. as well as in letters that have already been mailed to members.

I'll leave the details to John, but let me tell you from personal experience, this program puts money in the bank with larger tickets, more new customers and more repeat business.

GE Capital's Car Care ONE promises to be a great member benefit for both collision and mechanical shops.

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