Around ASA
12th annual ASA Colorado trade show is a success
For the 12th year, ASA-Colorado co-sponsored the annual Mountain States Automotive Trade Show, held March 13-14 at the Denver Merchandise Mart in Denver. The annual event provided attendees the opportunity to view the latest technology in automotive equipment, computer software and related products. With more than 2,900 attendees and over 100 exhibitors, ASA-Colorado feels the show was a huge success.
In addition to the trade show, attendees were also offered free management and technical seminars on various topics. During the two-day event, the affiliate held its president's reception and casino night where an awards ceremony was conducted. Following dinner, attendees were treated to an evening of gaming, and the winnings were exchanged for door prize tickets. The grand prize winners for the evening were Cornelia and Dan Nelson of Mahnke Collision Center, who won a Panasonic television donated by Thomas J. Sisk & Co.
ASA-Colorado is anticipating an even bigger show next year. The 13th Annual Mountain States Automotive Trade Show will be held March 11-12 at the same location.
Community involvement brochure available
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) Mechanical Division Operations Committee has developed a community involvement brochure for members.
The brochure provides information on how to further a working relationship between an automotive business and the community, as well as examples of beneficial organizations.
The committee designed the brochure to encourage business owners and managers to become more involved in their local communities. The brochure is intended to show the benefits of involvement for the success of the member-business. To receive a free copy of the brochure, contact the ASA membership services department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 240.
ASA-Ohio awarded grants
ASA-Ohio has been awarded grants totaling $100,000 for the development and distribution of a self-help guide to environmentally sound automotive service operations. The affiliate received the grants from the Ohio EPA's Environmental Education Fund and the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority.
The objective of the project is to provide automotive repair businesses with access to pertinent environmental and OSHA-related information that affects repair facilities.
The 30-month project will develop and distribute a practical, self-help manual that advises automotive businesses how to comply with requirements of regulatory agencies. In addition, local workshops will be held on achieving sound environmental operations as outlined in the manual.
A voluntary compliance program will also be held, and ASA-Ohio will award shops certificates indicating their compliance in various areas.
Affiliate to hold management seminars
The ASA-Illinois Mechanical Division affiliate will hold a two-day business management event featuring five of the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) faculty. The program will be held June 18-19 at the Holiday Inn-O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill.
Seminars will be taught on a wide range of topics including electronic marketing, compensation and incentives, and increasing sales. Participants can earn up to 18 credits toward AMI's Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. For registration information call (650) 340-6315.
ASA-North Carolina holds spring meeting
ASA-North Carolina held its annual spring meeting and trade show April 16-18 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Cary, N.C. Highlights of the meeting included roundtable discussions, a welcome reception, a management seminar, an affiliate business meeting, a trade show and a casino party.
According to ASA-North Carolina, the event was well received by those in attendance and the affiliate is pleased with the overall event. By attending the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) course, "Selling Service," attendees earned 14 credits toward the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. Approximately 14 exhibitors displayed and demonstrated automotive-related equipment and supplies, and exhibitors were pleased with the turnout.
Reminder of the month
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) distributed the 1999 Membership Directory to all members and within the directory are the 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 sheet includes camera-ready artwork to be used in advertisements.
National news
The Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) has responded to the state Insurance Department's controversial changes to the regulations for the Motor Vehicle Physical Damage Appraiser's Act. Volunteer leaders from ASA recently met with analysts from the IRRC to discuss specific provisions in the proposed regulation that were detrimental to consumers and collision repair facilities.
ASA had highlighted several important areas of concern in the proposed regulations: 1) The proposal could encourage steering in Pennsylvania; 2) The proposal was not clear in several areas that are key to normal operations for repair facilities; and 3) The proposed regulations did not include sufficient protection for consumers in the use of replacement crash parts.
The Alabama House of Representatives has passed replacement crash parts legislation, H. 186. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Steve Clouse told ASA, "I introduced this bill on behalf of constituents who felt like they should have the choice of getting original equipment vs. aftermarket equipment on their vehicle."
The Tuscaloosa News in editorial comments supporting the legislation asked, "Why not let the customer decide?" The bill now goes to the Alabama Senate for possible Banking and Insurance Committee consideration.
The Employment Classifieds section is the most popular area of the ASA Web site for automotive professionals. ASA members are able to post free ads for available positions using their ASA member number. Nineteen categories are available and there is no word limit. For more information, call ASA at (800) 272-7467, ext. 234.
The Pep Boys retail chain has contacted ASA on two recent occasions seeking permission to reprint technical information from AutoInc., the official publication of ASA.
The information will be published in pamphlets that are made available to the Pep Boys retail and service center customers. AutoInc. and ASA will receive full attribution for the material taken from AutoInc.
Auto Choice Could Impact Collision Industry || Repair Rebuild or Replace? || Working Together || Staying Informed: Part II || 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.XIVII, June 1999
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