Posted 3/2/2009

ASA-Colorado to Hold Associate Member Expo

On April 3, ASA-Colorado will hold its first associate member only trade show. All affiliate and national associate members are invited to participate in the one-evening event designed to offer a unique networking opportunities for members.

The event will be held at the Rotors of the Rockies facility in Broomfield, Colo. For more information, contact ASA-Colorado at (303) 202-5231 or by e-mail, asaco@asacolorado.org.

ASA-Washington Names Member of the Year

Kelly Wright of Preedy Brothers Tires Inc. in Spokane, Wash., receives the ASA-Washington Member of the Year award. The award was presented at the annual retreat in January.

During the ASA-Washington Semi-Annual Retreat Jan. 22-25 at the Enzian Inn in Leavenworth, Wash., Scott Tveten, chairman, presented the affiliate's highest award - "Member of the Year" - to Kelly Wright of Preedy Brothers Tires Inc. in Spokane, Wash.

Wright has been involved with ASA-Washington both on the local and affiliate levels since 1992. He served on the ASA-Washington insurance committee for six years, and as a result of his guidance and leadership, the affiliate's Labor and Industries Retro and Safety Program is stronger than ever and the affiliate was able to pay off the state office building. He has sat on advisory committees for two local colleges; was instrumental in implementing the first ASA-Washington Business Plan; and under his watch, the state office began sending meeting notices and its monthly publication, Dateline, electronically.

ASA-Mo/Kan Expanding Chapters

The ASA Missouri-Kansas affiliate is focusing on new association collision-specific chapters to expand its presence throughout Missouri and Kansas. The new chapters in Wichita, Kan., and the Kansas City metropolitan area are first on the priority list. Chapter meetings in these areas will begin within the first quarter of 2009.

ASA on a TV or Newsstand Near You ...

Research and other information provided by the Automotive Service Association is often used by the trade and consumer press. This is one more way ASA strives to elevate the public's awareness of ASA and the thousands of members it represents.

Already this year, ASA has been used as a source or quoted in the following consumer publications or media outlets:

ASA is off to a great PR start in 2009! A variety of national media outlets - including some highly prominent ones like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal - have contacted ASA recently about how the poor economy has resulted in people keeping their cars longer, which means more business for automotive service shops. A USA Today article sums up the climate for automotive service shops today: "Hard times rev up car repairs."

2009 Official Warranty Guide Available

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) now has available the 2009 Official Warranty Guide published by J&L Warranty Pro. Customized with the ASA logo on the cover, this booklet details every manufacturer's warranty guidelines, deductibles, warranty extensions and other pertinent warranty information.

These handy guides help independent repair facilities:

• Appraise used vehicles with greater confidence.

• Get factory defects repaired under warranty and let the factory pay for emissions component repairs, even after basic warranties have expired.

To order copies at almost 50 percent off the list price, please visit www.ASAstore.com and click on "References."