West Coast's Largest Training Event To Be Held in Seattle March 13-15

The second annual Automotive Training Expo (ATE) will be held Friday through Sunday, March 13-15, at the Doubletree Hotel in SeaTac, Wash., near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

To be offered are more than 30 technical and management training programs for owners, managers, service advisers and technicians in the collision and mechanical repair, tire shop and specialty service businesses. The event also features two nights of trade show exhibits following training sessions Friday and Saturday.

North America's top trainers will offer diverse courses at ATE that are timely to service and repair work in today's shops. Available will be classes ranging from hybrid driveability to service adviser skills, as well as several AMI-approved management courses.

For $399 per person, shop owners, managers, technicians, service advisers, college training instructors and others can attend as many classes as they desire over a three-day period. The price includes all class materials, buffet breakfasts Saturday and Sunday (with keynote speakers), lunch buffets Friday and Saturday, extensive buffet appetizers Friday and Saturday evenings at the trade show exhibits, special hotel rates, and more.

Registration discounts are available for members of the ATE sponsoring associations and for accredited instructors and students enrolled at high school- and college-level automotive training programs. Discounts are also available for multiple attendees from one shop. All discounted registrations must be received by Feb. 13. A limited number of scholarships to attend ATE are also available.

The trade show will feature more than 80 booths displaying automotive products, tools and equipment, automotive business services, and more. Food and beverages will be served on the show floor and each exhibitor will be offering a show special specifically for ATE attendees.

Sponsored by the Automotive Service Association of Washington, the Northwest Tire Dealers Association and the Washington Automotive Wholesalers Association, ATE provides the most extensive three-day training venue on the West Coast.

"Last year we drew more than 400 industry professionals to training classes from more than 10 states," said Jeff Lovell, ASA-Washington president and executive director and the event producer. "Because we had such a successful event in 2008, we expect to draw some 600 in 2009. The positive feedback from attendees rated ATE extremely high in both the courses offered and the quality of our instructors."

For detailed information on ATE, or to register online, visit www.atetrainingexpo.com or call (253) 473-6970.

VISION Announces Scholarships

Jan. 10 is the deadline to apply for two new scholarships announced by the Automotive Service Association of Missouri/Kansas.

The scholarships will be awarded to applicants who will be attending the 2009 VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo for the first time. The scholarships will cover one management or technical training registration package, and up to two nights hotel expense.

Scholarship applications are available on the VISION Web site, www.visionkc.com. The awards committee will review all applications and base their recommendations on expressed financial need, clear objective for use of the scholarship and goals for career development. The awards committee will announce its selections by Feb. 5.

The 17th annual VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo will be held March 6-8 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan. More than 1,100 automotive service professionals from 32 states and The Netherlands received more than 10,000 hours of training during the 2008 event.

Steve, Valerie White Give 'New' Cars To Missouri, Illinois Residents

Steve and Valerie White

Steve and Valerie White, owners of two body shops in Missouri and one in Illinois, in December presented three refurbished vehicles to deserving individuals.

The collision repair industry regularly comes across vehicles deemed a total loss by either the owner or their insurance company. Oftentimes, these cars are older and need minor to moderate mechanical and/or collision repairs to get them road-ready and safe to drive. Through the Acoat Selected National Benevolence Program, collision repair shops across the United States simultaneously present refurbished cars to deserving individuals or organizations during the holiday season.

The Whites became involved in the National Benevolence Program in 1999. Since that time, they have given away 17 vehicles to deserving individuals in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. The objective is to give someone a hand up, not a handout. Recipients of the "new" cars are individuals or organizations making an effort to improve their lives and financial standing. Reliable transportation provides more opportunities to be successful. Individuals and organizations must first submit an application. Applicants must explain how receiving an automobile will assist them in becoming self-sufficient. Candidates must be insurable and have a demonstrable need.

In addition to donating the car, White Auto Body covers the cost of the first six months of liability insurance and all inspection and licensing fees for the vehicle. When the recipient receives their car, they have no initial out-of-pocket expenses.

One "new" car was presented to a married couple with two kids by White Auto Body West in O'Fallon, Mo. A single mother with a daughter received a "new" vehicle from White Auto Body in Florissant, Mo. And the White's body shop (Calhoun Collision Center) in Hardin, Ill., presented a refurbished car to a single mother with three children.

Members Win Gift Certificates

EThree ASA members were winners of the AutoZone raffle at the CARS event during Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) in Las Vegas.

Steve Keller, AAM, of Keller Import Service in Easley, S.C., won a $1,500 gift certificate to Best Buy.

Larry Mirman of Car Connection Central LLC in Schofield, Wis., received a $1,000 gift certificate to Best Buy.

And Terry Wynter, AAM, of Terry Wynter Auto Service Center Inc. in Fort Myers, Fla., got a $500 Best Buy gift certificate.

Help Yourself, Industry Via TakingTheHill.com

By now, you probably know ASA has a Web site - www.TakingThe Hill.com - that zeros in on legislative and regulatory initiatives impacting the automotive service industry.

What you may not know is what all it offers and how easy it is to use. By using its capabilities, you can help yourself and your industry. You can make your voice heard. And you can make a difference.

Through www.TakingTheHill.com, you can:

• Find out ASA's positions on issues such as super warranties, right to repair and association health plans.

• Shoot an e-mail or letter to your state or federal representatives.

• Find sample pre-written letters. Pre-written letters are available on opposition to Right to Repair, opposition to Super Warranties and repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, among other issues. These letters only take a few minutes of your time, but they can make a great impact in Congress.

• Get Legislative Alerts when issues come up on which you need to take action.

• Keep track of your senators' and representatives' votes on important legislation.

• Get some help in trying to figure out who to vote for in upcoming elections. Find out who is industry-friendly, take a look at their biography and voting records, and find out how to get in touch with them.

All this, and more, is available through the Web site. The Web site will guide you through what you need to do and with just a click of a button, you can accomplish what you want.

It's quick, it's easy and it represents just another benefit of belonging to ASA.

Help Support the ASA Political Action Committee

Legislation directly affects ASA members, and to ensure a strong independent repair industry for the future, ASA members are encouraged to participate in the political process. The ASA Political Action Committee (PAC) is designed to accept donations from ASA members only. After receiving donations, the PAC will then make donations on behalf of ASA to support the election of legislators who philosophically align with our organization's goals and objectives.

For information on the PAC and to download the PAC permission and solicitation forms, visit ASA's legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com.