By Levy Joffrion
Help Buy Bus for Camp Mak-A-Dream
Would you like to help an extremely worthy cause while at the same time have a chance to win some valuable prizes?
If so, contact the National Auto Body Council (NABC) office at (888) 66-PRIDE or visit the Foundation Web site (www.collisionindustryfoundation.org) for more details.
The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) and NABC will be conducting a drawing. Drawing tickets will cost $10 each. Winning tickets will be announced at the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE), to be held in Las Vegas Nov. 3-5.
Grand prize will be a trip for two to the 2006 NASCAR Daytona 500 including race tickets, hospitality tent tickets, airfare and lodging. There will be six runner-up prizes of $2,000 gift certificates to stores such as Circuit City and Best Buy, as well as certificates that can be used for air travel on American, United and Delta airlines.
The money raised will be used to buy a bus for Camp Mak-A-Dream in Montana. The bus will be used to transport children attending the camp who are undergoing cancer treatment.
The specially modified, wheelchair-accessible bus will be on display at NACE.
Identifix Gets Blue Seal Recognition
Identifix, a leading repair information provider and an ASA benefit provider, has been accepted into the prestigious National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program.
ASE certification for automotive professionals means an individual has passed tough industry-developed exams and meets experience requirements. ASE Blue Seal of Excellence recognition goes a step further by identifying those establishments that have a large percentage of ASE certified professionals and a certified professional in each area of service offered.
To ensure that professional certification credentials remain current, ASE reviews the status of each establishment annually.
Your Shop Ready for Hybrids?
Indicative of the growing popularity of hybrid vehicles: hybrids will account for 25 percent of Toyota's car business by 2010, reports USA Today. Is your shop ready to service and repair them?
Sept. 30 Deadline for ASE Tests
Don't forget: Sept. 30 is the deadline for registering for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification tests to be given Nov. 10, 15 and 17. To be offered is ASE's full complement of 40-plus tests in various specialities.
Online registration is available at the ASE Web site, www.ase.com. Telephone registration is available at (866) 273-8378.
I-CAR Names ASA Members to Board
Three Automotive Service Association members have been named by I-CAR to its 2005-2006 board of directors.
They are Nick Gojmeric of Collision Plus Inc. in Swansea, Ill.; Jerry Kottschade, AAM, Jerry's Body Shop Inc. in Mankato, Minn.; and Chad Sulkala, Acme Body & Paint Co. Inc., in Boston.
There are 16 directors on the board. They set the overall strategic direction for the organization and assist in obtaining resources in support of the I-CAR mission. The board is comprised of representatives from six industry segments: collision repair; insurance; equipment, tools and supplies; education, training and research; vehicle manufacturers; and related industry services.
ASA, iATN to Sponsor Reception
ASA and iATN will jointly sponsor the fourth annual Service Professionals Industry Reception Nov. 3 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the Event Center B of The Mirage in Las Vegas. The event will be an opportunity for service professionals to network and visit 50-plus exhibitors that will be on hand to showcase new products, services and technologies.
