Online attendee registration is now open for 2009 NACE and CARS at www.NACEexpo.com and www.CARSevent.com, with no increase in prices over 2008 fees for packages and sessions. Conference sessions are ticketed events and seating is limited. Early registration is encouraged to ensure access to any and all chosen sessions.

Online housing is also open with 30-70% savings in room rates over last year's prices at all official NACE and CARS hotel properties. Discounts are also available off published airfares and based on availability from American, Continental, JetBlue, Northwest and WestJet, offering service from destinations nationwide to Las Vegas' McCarran Airport.

These industry events, sponsored by ASA, are co-located at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, November 4-7, and take place during the second annual Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW). Visit www.NACEexpo.com and www.CARSevent.com for more information and to reserve your housing today.

ASA believes that federal regulation will address steering, labor rates, paint and material caps, insurer-owned collision repair facilities and other state issues at the federal level. To speak with a policymaker about federal insurance regulation, register for ASA's Capitol Hill Fly-In and make your voice heard.

ASA Welcomes New Mexico Chapter
ASA is pleased to announce its most recent new chapter agreement, ASA-Central New Mexico, and the launch of the chapter's Web site (www.ASAshopNM.com).

The Central New Mexico chapter was established to provide additional services, networking opportunities and a legislative voice in New Mexico. The chapter will represent ASA members in Santa Fe, Belen, Cedar Crest, Albuquerque, Los Lunas and Rio Rancho.

Read more on this topic in the latest edition of the ASA Collision Repair Report. Log in to the Members Only section of www.ASAshop.org for the latest division news!

It is my pleasure to introduce "What's in the Box?," a series of articles based on ongoing survey results and other applicable information designed to continue the discussion of parts quality. Various Parts Quality subcommittee members will take turns authoring articles and sharing their own experiences and insights. The plans are to create an interactive column: We will be providing information to you with the request that you reciprocate.

Read the latest edition of the Mechanical Division Dispatch now! Log in to the Members Only section of www.ASAshop.org for the latest division news!

The Great Divide
There are some who will argue that there is a Great Division now forming in our industry between the shops that don't attend training, don't buy tooling and don't stay current in the business and those shops that do.

They say the untrained shops will finally fade away, unable to perform the most basic repairs. The trained shops will survive and prosper. The day of reckoning has finally arrived, they conclude. Click here to read the AutoInc. article.

Also read ... "Delivering Value in a Digital Age"

ASA members agree to adhere to ASA's Code of Ethics - the automotive service industry's standard for professional business practices with consumers in mind. In addition to a shop's business name, motorists can also identify ASA member businesses by the red, white and blue ASA sign. Purchase a Code of Ethics poster to display in your business or a new ASA Member sign at www.ASAstore.com.

ASA's Mission: ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services.