Welcome to ASRW 2010
The Focus Is on You!

Posted 10/14/2010
By Jerry Burns, AAM, Chairman

Wow! It's NACE/CARS time again. Welcome! If you're reading this from the show in Las Vegas, it's great to see you! (If you're reading this at home prior to the show, it's not too late to join us. You won't regret it!) I want to thank you for making NACE/CARS a priority in your careers and in supporting our automotive repair industry. We are extremely excited about ASRW this year. New dates, new look, new events.

We begin on Saturday with the ASRW Association Leadership Summit - a gathering geared toward industry associations. The training and strategies that will be shared during the Summit will enable associations at every level to work smarter, not harder; even in our current and changing economy. I-CAR training is available Saturday as well.

The ASRW training tracks begin Sunday morning. If you were unable to sign up for a particular class or need to change classes or there is an event you would like to attend, simply go to the registration booth where they will happily assist you with changes and/or tickets.

We are also looking forward to the ASRW Industry Forum Sunday evening. Look for great educational and networking opportunities. The forum will conclude with a reception and live entertainment from "Total Loss" featuring Rod Enlow and Rick Tuuri, our industry's own Super Stars! The fee for this event is only $50, of which all proceeds will benefit our industry, i.e., NABC, AMI, ASE, WIN and the I-CAR Education Foundation. It will be a productive event with good times to be had by all.

Monday begins with the ASRW Opening Session featuring keynote Kelly McDonald who will present "The Changing Face of Your Business - Inside & Out." We all face changes everyday in our businesses. I know she will bring new insights and fresh ideas to our ever-changing industry. Immediately following the general session, the ASRW Expo will open to entice our senses on the latest, greatest technology. Visit the OEM Pavilion featuring Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, GM and Honda - just to name a few! Stop by the ASA booth (N2152) - your NACE and CARS host - to meet the ASA staff and learn about membership benefits and discounts. See what the ETI Pavilion has to offer in the latest scanners. Participate in the 80-plus NACE/CARS educational sessions. Plus, the I-CAR Technology Showcase will feature more than 20 free clinics. After an action-packed day, we invite you to attend the ASRW 2010 Welcome Reception where you can relax and have a great time.

This week will fly by! We encourage you to use all the resources ASRW is making available, including ASA and AutoInc.'s online daily, ASRW Now (www.ASRWnow.com), featuring recaps of the ASRW conference and highlights from the NACE/CARS trade show floor. Together we stay strong. I know you will return home renewed. Safe travels! And let's go ahead and start planning now to meet again next year at ASRW/NACE/CARS Oct. 16-19, 2011, at the Mandalay Bay.