See You in Vegas!

Posted 11/1/2008
By Reggie Denney, AAM, Chairman

I am looking forward to our first annual Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW), which includes CARS and NACE being co-located at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Nov. 5-8, 2008. It will be a great event!

There will be lots of useful information shared by great instructors. Many of the courses we offer are Automotive Management Institute (AMI)-approved, so you can earn credits toward your Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. As always, there is a good balance of technical and management information offered through both CARS and NACE.

With both shows housed under one roof, there will be many opportunities to walk the trade show floors, learning about the tools, products and services that can keep you on top of our great industry. I always learn so much about what is coming down the pike for the automotive service professional by visiting with the different vendors. They are always eager to educate attendees about ways they can do their jobs better, not to mention how to stay on top of the newest technology.

Many thanks to the ASA staff, the operations committees of both the ASA Mechanical Division and Collision Division, as well as the Governmental Affairs Committee and Hanley-Wood staff for all of the planning that has gone into this year's ASRW.

I would like for us to remember our members in the Houston/Galveston area that took the brunt of Hurricane Ike. Showing a spirit of helpfulness, some of the ASA staff recently donated their time to the Fort Worth, Texas, food bank after it was stretched to the limit as a result of Hurricane Ike (see "Around ASA" on page 25). We also want to remember those who live in economically depressed areas. I know some parts of the country are being hit harder than others.

With the Thanksgiving season soon upon us, let us be thankful for all that we have. In these challenging financial times, it's important to remember to count our blessings, large and small. Let's not forget our troops who will be far away from their families during this time.

Brenda and I would like to wish each of you and your families an enjoyable Thanksgiving. We are thankful we have each of you as ASA members.

Looking forward to seeing you at Automotive Service and Repair Week.