Around ASA

By B.J. Johnson

ASA-Washington Member, ASA-Ohio Earn Recognition

Every year at the ASA Annual Convention, the association honors the individual who traveled the farthest to attend and the affiliate with the largest delegation in attendance.

During the awards ceremony at this year's convention, Joel Baxter, AAM, B&B Auto Repair Inc. in Bremerton, Wash., received the "Member Who Traveled the Farthest" award. Baxter traveled 2,962 miles to attend.

In addition, ASA-Ohio - with 22 affiliate members in attendance - was awarded the Largest Affiliate Delegation award.

2002 ASA Chairman Dan Frohlich, AAM, left, presents Joel Baxter with an award for traveling the farthest to attend the convention.

From left are Scott Compton, AAM, ASA-Ohio executive director; Dennis Sterwerf, AAM, ASA-Ohio president; and Dan Frohlich, AAM, 2002 ASA chairman, with the Largest Affiliate Delegation award.

VISION Has Record Attendance

Working the ASA booth at VISION are (l to r facing camera) Ron Pyle, ASA president, and Todd Mehalko, ASA membership coordinator.

The 11th annual VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo sponsored by the ASA-Mo/Kan affiliate was held Feb. 21-23 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan. The event far-surpassed previous years' attendance with approximately 3,500 attendees. Although the majority of attendees are from Missouri and Kansas, the event also attracted industry professionals from 13 additional states.

Added attractions included Saturday and Sunday morning keynote speakers, a casino night, and various awards and prizes. This year's event also featured more than 180 display booths and 85 exhibiting companies. During Casino Night, attendees had the opportunity to play casino-type games for a good cause. Participants wagered for raffle tickets and all proceeds went to benefit Camp Mak-A-Dream.

"VISION 2003 was an awesome success. There has been numerous positive feedback from attendees and exhibitors," said Sheri Hamilton, ASA-Mo/Kan executive director.

ASA-Mo/Kan has already begun preparations for the 2004 show, to be held March 5-7.

ASA-Illinois Holds Successful Event

The ASA-Illinois Mechanical Division affiliate held its annual trade show and education day, Odyssey 2003, Feb. 29-March 1 at the Naperville Holiday Inn Select in Naperville, Ill. The two-day event attracted more than 230 attendees. Attendees had an opportunity to attend five management seminars and 11 technical courses. Seminar topics included pricing, service writer tools, fuel injection service, brakes, A/C repairs and current probes.

The trade show had more than 65 exhibitors displaying the latest in automotive repair technology products and services.

According to the affiliate, attendees and exhibitors were very pleased with the show and many plan to attend next year's event.

NATIONAL NEWS

Charlene Hartnett, ASA's member services - marketing coordinator, has received her Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). AMI Executive Director John Berry, AAM, (left) and AMI Trustee Bill Sauer (center) presented the diploma to her during a graduation ceremony at the ASA Annual Convention in Sandestin, Fla.

ASA has teamed up with NASCAR to offer ASA national members the opportunity to be listed in the consumer shop locator section of the NASCAR Web site, www.NASCAR.com. The NASCAR Performance Network is a new program and ASA is excited to be the first organization selected by NASCAR to participate.

The locator page will be in the newly added "Automotive" section of NASCAR.com and will be organized geographically. NASCAR fans will find participating ASA members' shop name, hours of operation, types of services performed, and a map to the shop.

This new benefit is available to ASA national members for $200 per year. Enroll now - the NASCAR Performance Network goes live soon. For more information, visit the ASA Web site, www.asashop.org, or call (800) 272-7467, ext. 295.

Kevin Ploetz has joined the ASA communications department as advertising sales representative for AutoInc. He replaces Tammy Greear who recently resigned.

Ploetz attended Texas Christian University and has worked in sales for more than 11 years. He has a thorough knowledge of the printing industry and played a key role in the production of ASA's membership directory for the past two years.

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Ploetz has a wife and a 2-year-old daughter. His hobbies include golf, hunting and fishing, and watching professional sports.

Ploetz will be based at ASA's national headquarters in Bedford, Texas, and can be reached at (800) 272-7467, ext. 237, or by e-mail: kevinp@asashop.org.

Reminder of the Month

Any national regular member interested in being considered for the Automotive Service Association national board of directors should contact the national office and request a Consideration Form. Contact Jo Ann Abramuk toll free at (800) 272-7467, ext. 211. Consideration Forms must be received at the national office no later than July 18, 2003.

Members of the 2004 nominating committee are Dan Frohlich, AAM, chairperson, ARS Automotive, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Michael Anderson, Wagon Works Collision Center II, Alexandria, Va.; Eddie Ehlert, Mazdonly Ltd., Chamblee, Ga.; Lewis Maxon, AAM, Maxon Automotive, Grain Valley, Mo.; Danny Meyer, AAM, Kay Parks/Dan Meyer Auto Rebuild, Tacoma, Wash.; and Jeanne Silver, Butterfield Bodyworks Carstar, Mundelein, Ill.

The 2004 ASA board of directors elections will be held Jan. 5-Feb. 29, 2004. Positions open during this election will be one general director, a collision division director and a mechanical division director.

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