Serving the Industry

Posted 11/11/2010
By Jerry Burns, AAM, Chairman

It was great to see so many of you at ASRW/NACE/CARS. Thank you for your dedication to our industry. In these challenging economic times, it was encouraging to join together as friends and colleagues in education, training, networking, show floor opportunities and social events.

We appreciate the vendors who continue to make a commitment to ASRW. As always, the equipment, products and resources presented at the exposition were informative, relevant and top rate. Thank you to the exhibitors who have been at NACE and CARS for the past 28 years. Your presence and support is vital and instrumental to the success of the many aspects of our industry. Thank you to all the OEMs on the show floor and for all the information and conversations you shared with us. ... Thank you all!

The Leadership Summit for our industry's associations - more than 100 groups were invited - was well received. Attendees took advantage of the opportunity and took away great information to better serve and grow our respective groups. ASA will continue to make association education a priority and there will be another summit in May at the ASA annual business meeting in Washington, D.C. (Watch for more information.)

The new ASRW Industry Forum hosted two concurrent sessions with panels made up of our peers in the mechanical and collision segments. The discussions were compelling and participation was active and inquisitive. The Town Hall meeting, roundtables, show floor demonstrations, etc., all addressed needs within our industry and were well attended.

Kelly McDonald, our General Session keynote, presented "The Changing Face of Your Business - Inside & Out." She spoke about diversity in our society and how to embrace the differences in our customers, employees and communities. She likened the differences to that of a salad. A great analogy. It takes all of us together with our different talents and cultures to serve our customers and their unique needs with excellence. Kelly's dynamic, high-energy presentation left us encouraged and gave us much to think about. Thank you, Kelly! You can view her presentation on ASA's website, www.ASAshop.org.

If you were not able to attend ASRW this year, begin making plans for next year. ASRW, NACE and CARS are committed to our industry and all the segments that serve our industry. Since 2004, revenue from NACE and CARS has provided ASA with the resources to offer more than 84,000 hours of education and training to repair professionals including managers, business owners and technicians. ASA's trade shows have also made available approximately $2.5 million in floor space, meeting rooms, hotel rooms and logistical support to our industry's nonprofit organizations such as I-CAR, NABC, CIC, AMI and WIN, as well as supported legislative action in Washington, D.C., on behalf of repairers. These resources benefit all of us who work hard to make our businesses profitable and our industry great.

With NACE and CARS behind us, we find the holidays quickly approaching. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and enjoy family, friends and great food. Let us remember those who may be in need. I am thankful for the blessings in my life and for the opportunity to serve with people who have a winning spirit and great determination. I wish you continued success and Happy Thanksgiving.