Around ASA
ASA-Florida holds annual meeting, installs officers
ASA-Florida held its annual meeting Feb. 20-21 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Harbourside in Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. The weekend program provided members with three business management seminars, a tradeshow, the annual awards luncheon and business meetings.
In addition to these activities, ASA-Florida installed its board of directors.
This year's officers are Charles Elder, AAM, Ray Gordon Brake Service, in Tallahassee, president; Don Stone, AAA Quality Transmission, in Stuart, president-elect; Debi Conde, Automotive Diagnostic Services Inc., in Brandon, past president; Steve Harris, Harris Automotive, in West Palm Beach, vice president, mechanical; Barrett Smith, Brandon Paint & Body, in Brandon, vice president, collision; Rick Smith, Smitty's Garage, in Seminole, secretary; and Dave Zwalina, AAM, Automotive One Inc., in Longwood, treasurer.
ASA's South Carolina and North Carolina affiliates hold joint meeting
For the second year ASA-South Carolina and ASA-North Carolina held a successful joint annual meeting and tradeshow, April 17-19 in Charleston, S.C. The meeting provided attendees with two Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars, one on estate planning and the other on how the legal system impacts businesses. The seminars earned attendees 12 credits toward AMI's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.
In addition to management seminars, a round-table discussion on franchising and co-op advertising was held to give attendees the opportunity to share ideas with other automotive service business owners. The two affiliates each held board meetings to conduct association business. Twenty-four exhibitors were also on hand to demonstrate the latest in automotive-related products and services.
More than 100 attendees participated in the three-day education event. Plans for next year's event are already underway. The affiliates are researching the addition of new seminars and possibly changing the format.
Florida members participate in seminar
Members from the ASA-Pinellas, Fla., chapter participated in a Mitch Schneider seminar held in January. The seminar, "A Different Look at Customer Relations, Retention & Service Bay Profitability," was sponsored by All Pro/Bumper To Bumper.
Nancy Moll, ASA-Pinellas chapter president, was instrumental in bringing chapter members to the seminar. According to ASA chapter members, the seminar was very informative and useful. Moll also said that Schneider was very supportive of the ASA group.
Pictured left to right are: John Mechas and Bonnie Post, Ace Auto Repair, Palm Harbor; Rick Smith, Smitty's Garage, Seminole; Mitch Schneider; Dick Bier, National Auto South, St. Petersburg; Randy and Nancy Moll, Cartek Import Service, Pinellas Park; and Dave Reed, Reed Car Care, Gulfport.
VISION 2000 continues to have success
The ASA-Greater Kansas City affiliate held its sixth annual VISION 2000 training exposition March 7-8 in Kansas City, Mo. More than 600 attendees from 16 states attended the management and technical training courses offered during the two-day event. This year's theme "Pursuit of Professionalism" proved to be all that and more.
Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars offered attendees 18 credits toward the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. Seminars were taught by Bob O'Connor, Richard Flint and Vincent Waterhouse. In addition to management seminars, VISION 2000 also offered 28 three-hour technical training sessions.
The affiliate has begun planning for next year's event, which will be held March 6-7, 1999.
Reminder of the Month
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) distributed the 1998 Membership Directory to all members in April. Within the directory is a set of association logo guidelines. The ASA logo is a registered trademark and may be used in published advertising only in the manner and form authorized by ASA. The logo guidelines provide camera-ready artwork to be used in advertisements.
NATIONAL NEWS
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) applauds the efforts of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) for developing new "Gold Seal" standards. The standards establish a level of excellence for customer satisfaction to the automotive collision repair industry.
The Gold Seal Certified Automotive Recyclers Program was developed to help maintain and enforce reputable, quality business practices throughout the automotive recycling industry. ARA members who receive this certification commit themselves to providing honest, efficient and quality customer service while operating their businesses in an environmentally friendly manner.
ASA Washington Representative Bob Redding submitted written testimony to the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee regarding legislation that would regulate the use of aftermarket crash parts.
If enacted, the legislation would prohibit the use of aftermarket crash parts while the vehicle is under the original manufacturer's warranty unless the insured is advised in writing and then consents to the use of those parts. In all instances where non-original equipment manufacturer parts are to be used in the repair of a vehicle, the legislation requires the consumer to be notified in writing.
ASA continues working to improve the consumer's perception of the automotive repair industry through its Image-Network, an electronic mailing list that is used to counter negative publicity of the automotive service industry. It is also used to distribute positive research and news about the automotive service industry to various audiences.
A recent regional television commercial for a retail tire chain portrays automotive professionals as armed robbers. ASA's president and chief staff executive, G.W. "Bud" Merwin III, responded to the commercial by saying, "For many years, ASA and other industry organizations have worked diligently to overcome the negative misconceptions consumers have of automotive service. The 'armed robber' advertising campaign currently running in the Southeastern United States is an attempt to enhance one retailer at the expense of the entire automotive service industry. It is disheartening and extremely irresponsible that a member of our own industry would portray repair professionals as criminals."
In response to the commercial, network subscribers were encouraged to contact the president of the company running the ad and request that they be stopped immediately due to the portrayal of auto technicians as armed criminals.
The Texas Department of Public Safety requested copies of ASA's Report on Vehicle Safety Inspection Programs and Report on Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Programs. The department distributed the reports during technician training classes it held in May. The ASA Washington, D.C., office compiled the two studies to show the wide variety of inspection approaches that exist between states and regions. Every state was contacted and asked to complete a detailed survey about their programs.
Safety Inspection: A National Strategy || Stop Chasing Fault Codes When Servicing EFI Systems || Body Shops: Independently Owned, Dependently Operated || Customer Database Marketing || Guest Editorial || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Shop Profile || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLVI, June 1998 (http://www.asashop.org)