Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-06 February 11, 2009

ASA Annual Convention Management Education Designed to Keep Attendees' Businesses on Track

Online Registration Available Soon at www.ASAshop.org/Annual09

BEDFORD, TEXAS, February 11, 2009 - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has three Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars slated for its 2009 Annual Convention. This year, attendees will enjoy two days of management education that will help keep their businesses on track for a successful 2009.

Friday, May 1, from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., G. Kent "G.K." Mangelson will present "Advanced Lawsuit Protection, Tax Reduction and Estate Planning Strategies," a course providing attendees with information their advisers may be unaware of. Mangelson will teach attendees to structure their businesses for lawsuit protection and prevention, reduce liability insurance costs, minimize taxes and create a successful estate and business succession plan.

This course is AMI approved, and attendees will earn four AMI credits toward the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.

"Even in the current economy, our members continue to be successful," said Bill Haas, ASA's vice president of education and training. "The reason we continue to see our members succeed is their preparation and determination. These seminars offer valuable information businesses can rely on for their immediate and long-term success."

Saturday, May 2, from 8:45 a.m. to noon, Bob Cooper will present "Turn Your Employees into Superstars." Designed for shop owners, this seminar will teach attendees how to look for key attributes in employee superstars; how to bring out the best in all employees; how to avoid the most common mistakes owners and managers make; and how to handle the most difficult employees.

Also on Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., Cooper will present "The Secrets of Success." Attendees will learn how easy it is to set goals that can take their career to extraordinary heights in this eye-opening seminar that will change the way shop owners run their businesses. Cooper will also provide attendees with the information needed to set personal and career goals that are guaranteed to be life-changing, and he will share the six timeless secrets of success that are followed by some of the most successful people in the world.

Both Saturday courses are AMI approved, and attendees will earn six AMI credits for each class toward the AAM designation.

"For the past 20 years, AMI has worked closely with ASA to provide the quality educational programs convention attendees have come to expect," said Toni Slaton, AAM, AMI executive director. "Today's challenging business climate has made it an absolute necessity to equip shop owners and managers with the tools to stay ahead of the curve. This year's timely topics are packed with valuable information and presented by two experienced instructors eager to share their knowledge."

ASA's 2009 Annual Convention will be held April 30-May 2 at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The agenda will include the ASA board of directors meeting; a State of the Association address by Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive; an affiliate assembly meeting; Industry Impact sessions focusing on the automotive service and collision repair segments of the industry; a benefit provider networking reception; and ASA's annual Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony, which will again host the AMI graduation ceremony.

A downloadable registration form is available at www.ASAshop.org/Annual09, which can be faxed to (817) 685-0225; online registration will soon be open. Members who register before the early-bird deadline of March 31 will enjoy significant savings. The Web site also outlines the full convention agenda, lists convention sponsors, and includes additional details about networking functions.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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