In terms of age, 21 seems to mark the point in life where transitions are imminent. It's the time of your life when you can learn from your past, reflect on your present and become excited about your future. This year marks the 21st opening of the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE). And symbolically speaking, this 21st annual event marks an exciting transition from the past to the future for NACE.

NACE has always been, and will continue to be, an event catering to the entire collision repair industry. There's something beneficial about 30,000-plus collision professionals gathering in one place, ready and willing to exchange ideas and expand their knowledge. NACE has traditionally traveled around the country to such host cities as Nashville, Dallas, New Orleans, Atlanta and Orlando. But beginning next year, NACE will be a part of Industry Week held annually in Las Vegas.

What excites me most about the permanent change taking effect next year is what NACE can offer the entire automotive industry in terms of education. This year alone, NACE offers various educational tracks to all segments of the industry - including shop management, small shop, vehicle repair, jobber, insurer-specific training and I-CAR courses. Imagine exposing these educational opportunities to a larger audience of automotive professionals. The result: an even more diverse educational lineup that cannot be compared to anything else in the industry.

Even though I'm excited about the future, I can't overlook the present. This year's NACE promises to deliver everything attendees have come to expect. Besides the approximately 45 educational sessions and ASE certification testing offered at this year's event, the NACE exposition remains a unique opportunity to see the largest collection of collision repair products. This year, the Orange County Convention Center will serve as the weekend home for more than 500 companies occupying over 1,700 exhibit booths, featuring the newest equipment, tools, services and technology.

And don't forget about the top-notch speakers and entertainment lined up for NACE 2003. Bill O'Reilly, host of Fox News' O'Reilly Factor, will be delivering this year's keynote address. AutoInc. recently interviewed O'Reilly and I can assure you what he says will be the talk of this year's exposition. And Saturday night's entertainment featuring Wynonna Judd will keep your toes tapping. To all fellow Automotive Service Association members attending the show, I'm personally inviting you to stop by the ASA booth (No. 1861) so we can personally thank you for supporting the entire industry. For those of you who are reading AutoInc. for the first time, we extend a special invitation for you to stop by the ASA booth and see how our association is working to represent repair professionals around the world.

And for all of you who are unable to attend this year's show, ASA publishes the official NACE Online Daily News. During the show, visit www.autoinc.org/NACE03 to receive up-to-the-minute reports.

I'm truly looking forward to seeing you in Orlando Dec. 4-7. Join me at NACE 2003 for all the excitement of the world's collision repair event!

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