Zurich’s Chris Pasternak speaks with John Everest, owner of Buchtel Motors Auto Service of Denver, at the Automotive Service Association of Colorado spring expo April 5. Zurich was one of 28 tabletop exhibitors at the event at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

ASA Affiliate Holds Successful Expo

Shops were encouraged to register their entire business for the occasion under one registration fee. More than 250 members and nonmembers took advantage of short 30-minute presentations from 14 presenters on 15 assorted topics. The “speed dating” format allowed shops to attend numerous sessions in a short period of time, enabling professionals to gather cutting-edge business and technical information. The presenters’ expertise ranged from business, government and compliance to information technology and tools and equipment.

Todd Doty of CARQUEST Technical Institute conducts a course on tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). All 2008 vehicles come equipped with a TPMS system, he notes. Photos courtesy of Michael Anderson with Parts & People.

In addition, the expo featured a trade show with more than 25 tabletop exhibitors highlighting automotive services including marketing and communications, software, tools and equipment, lower insurance rates, credit card processing, transmissions services, education, networking and more. The biannual expo brings unique offerings of programs, products and services to the table.

A networking area provided a great opportunity to rub elbows with fellow shop owners, managers, technicians and customer service representatives, as well as many additional vendors. The family-friendly event also provided free museum admission for the day of the expo.

For more information on any ASA-Colorado events, please contact Sarah Anderson at (303) 202-5231 or visit www.asacolorado.org.

Supply Your Customers with Knowledge

ASA’s online store is filled with a variety of informative brochures for your shop
employees and customers. As a member of the association, you are entitled to discounts on these useful pamphlets.

Show your customers you care by displaying brochures that tell them how important it is for them to maintain their vehicles. ASA’s brochure topics range from understanding the procedures and training necessary to properly diagnose and repair today’s vehicles to a routine list providing preventative maintenance tips to ensure the longest-lasting body and paint possible, cleaning techniques, touch-up repairs and even vehicle storage.

Anytime you place an order for three or more brochure titles, you will receive a free three-tiered brochure holder, which will enable you to exhibit your valuable information conveniently and professionally.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Bret Sullins, ASA recruiter; Charles Parker, executive director of ASA-Texas; and Denise Caspersen, manager of ASA’s Collision Division, attended I-CAR Fest in Fort Worth, Texas, March 29-30. Twenty-four I-CAR classes were held plus a vendor expo. In addition to having a booth on the expo floor, members of the ASA staff were present to answer questions about ASA’s involvement in the collision repair industry and to encourage those attending the event to join ASA.

• Several representatives from Hanley Wood Exhibitions visited ASA’s national office in Bedford, Texas, May 13 to discuss plans for Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW). ASRW will be held Nov. 5-8 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and will include both NACE and CARS. Pictured are (seated, left to right) Ellen Pipkin, show manager; B.J. Johnson, ASA’s vice president of member services; (standing, left to right) Chelsie Zachman, associate conference manager; Kelly Robinson, operations coordinator; Susan Mathis, operations manager; and Crystal Stangeland, CARS account executive.
  

New Offering Added to Cintas SafeWasher Program

Through ASA’s sponsored benefit program with Cintas Corporation, ASA has added a new offering to the program.

The Cintas SafeWasher is simple and cost-effective to operate. It enhances productivity, promotes health and safety, produces measurable reductions in hazardous waste, and reduces exposure to risk.

Members who are interested in taking advantage of this new offering can learn more about the product through www.ASAOnDemand.com, or by speaking to their local route driver.

Prepare Now for Annual Fireworks Cruise!

As the ASA-Illinois affiliate gears up for the 5th annual Cruise & Fireworks on Lake Michigan, you can get an early start and register now.
           
The Free Spirit Yacht sets sail Aug. 6 from Burnham Harbor in Chicago. The yacht is luxuriously equipped with passenger relaxation and comfort in mind. With cushioned sofas and plenty of space for relaxing on the decks, you will have a hard time deciding on the best location to enjoy the views aboard your cruise.
           
To purchase your tickets or for more information, please visit the ASA-Illinois Web site at www.asaillinois.com.

Automotive Management Institute Honors Class of 2008

The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) honored its 15th class of Accredited Automotive Managers (AAMs) May 3. The graduating class of 2008 had 80 automotive service professionals who earned the prestigious AAM designation by successfully completing AMI courses and accumulating a minimum of 120 credits.
           
The continuing education offered by the Institute helps automotive service professionals improve their business management skills. In addition to providing business management classes, the Institute offers the AAM designation, the industry’s first business education accreditation. AMI courses concentrate on five core areas of business management education: financial management, marketing and sales, operations and service, management and administration, and personnel and human resource development.
           
“It is my pleasure to recognize these individuals for their achievements,” said George Witt, AAM, chairman of AMI. “These industry professionals, each in their own way, have demonstrated not only a commitment to improving their own business skills but those of the entire automotive service and repair industry.”
           
Toni Slaton, AAM, executive director of AMI, added, “This elite group of automotive service professionals join the 1,327 graduates before them who represent a growing breed of dedicated and professional owners and managers contributing to this nation’s entrepreneurship, our economy and the small business community, and I offer my sincere congratulations.”
           
The graduation took place during the Automotive Service Association’s Celebration of Excellence May 3 in Santa Clara, Calif.

ASA Hosts Service Information Workshops in Massachusetts

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) hosted three Service Information Workshops in Massachusetts last month. Workshops were held in Canton, Worcester and New Bedford to educate shop owners and technicians about the availability of service information to automotive repair shops. Donny Seyfer, AAM, co-owner of Seyfer Automotive in the Denver area, led the workshops on behalf of the association. Dan Ryan of Mazda and Charles Burke of Bentley Publishing, which designed Volkswagen and Audi’s Web sites, were also present to assist with the workshops.
           
 “It was a pleasure to spend time with many of the repair shop owners and technicians in Massachusetts,” said Seyfer. “We shared some good dialog that I hope benefits everyone involved. I really appreciate ASA members Rusty Savignac, Paxton Garage; and Craig Van Batenburg, AAM, Automotive Career Development Center; for their help in spreading the word about the workshops.”
           
The agenda included education on computers and Internet resources necessary to access service information, use of manufacturer and third-party Web sites and diagnostic tools that may assist in handling the repair most efficiently. Additionally, Seyfer explained the role of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), which accommodates the identification and correction of gaps involved in the access of automotive service information, diagnostic tools and equipment, and training.
           
Attendees were able to ask questions to address specific service information issues they have experienced. The meetings concluded with the opportunity for attendees to view a live demonstration of the Ford Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) on a 2007 Mustang convertible, with Seyfer demonstrating many of the functions of that scan tool.
           
ASA believes the current voluntary, industry-supported service information process protects independent repairers and consumers by allowing them access to the same information available to manufacturers and dealers. The workshops in Massachusetts are part of ASA’s efforts to educate shop owners and technicians about current systems and how they can manage the service information options available to them.
           
For more information on upcoming Service Information Workshops, visit www.ASAshop.org/KEYS.