Important ASA Membership Information

Every successful business monitors its operating expenses and cost of doing business – the Automotive Service Association is no different in that regard. To maintain association business services at the level our members deserve, the ASA board of directors has approved a dues increase that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2012.

The increase will allow ASA to expand its presence as the association works to fulfill its mission of advancing professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. In addition, the board approved to offer all regular members the enhanced listing on the Shop Locator as part of the membership. Previously, this option was a subscription-based service and was offered for an additional $60 annually. This feature allows consumers to easily locate ASA member-shops for their servicing and maintenance needs.

To assist members in spreading the costs of membership over an entire year, rather than making a single payment, ASA offers a continuous membership payment option. Members may elect to pay membership dues by credit card in annual, quarterly or semiannual payments. This payment option saves time because once members sign up for the program, they will have the convenience of automatic renewal and will not have to remember to write a check for their ASA dues. A member’s credit card statement will be receipt of payment.

To take advantage of ASA’s Continuous Membership payment option, contact the ASA membership department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 361, or the accounting department at ext. 120.

iATN Exceeds 75,000 Members Worldwide

The International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN®), www.iatn.net, exceeded 75,000 active members in mid-October, setting a new membership record for the organization. Members are located in 156 countries and collectively they share 1.7 million years of experience on iATN.

“With 75,000 active members, there’s a tremendous amount of knowledge being exchanged on the network, and as a result, iATN members advance their industry awareness and experience levels enabling them to provide the highest level of service,” said Scott Brown, iATN president.

The 75,000th member to join iATN is Certified Class A Technician Rod Tooley, Suter’s Auto, Aurora, Ontario, Canada. Suter’s Auto is a four-bay Volvo specialty shop with five technicians. Tooley specializes in brake and front-end repairs.

iATN was founded in 1995 and is the largest online community of automotive technicians, repair shop owners and other allied service professionals in the world.

For additional information about, visit www.iatn.net.

Nissan Announces New Certified Collision Repair Program

Nissan North America Inc. launched its nationwide Nissan Certified Collision Repair Network at the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) in Orlando in October. The new certification program is open to both dealer-owned and independent collision shops.

Nissan has teamed up with DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) to assist in the implementation of the program’s certification process and I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, to conduct technician training.

Once a facility has successfully completed the application process, the shop manager will be contacted to set up a meeting to review the enrollment and inspect the facility. A DPC representative will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the facility to ensure that all standards will be met.  

For participating collision shops, the Nissan Certified Collision Repair Network delivers the opportunity for the repair facility to attract new customers and to generate additional business from their existing base. For more information, please contact Katie Henwood at Katie.m.henwood@usa.dupont.com or (734) 354-3437.

WIN Announces Sixth Annual Conference in 2012

The 2012 Women’s Industry Network (WIN) Conference is scheduled to take place at the InterContinental Buckhead in Atlanta, May 6-8, 2012. 

“We are extremely excited about the selection of Atlanta for our 2012 Conference, as it has always been at the top of the list when we asked our members,” said Katie Henwood of DuPont, who serves as WIN’s Conference Committee co-chair along with Tina Clark of Collision Solutions. “We are working hard to gather an amazing array of speakers and activities for 2012, and we look forward to sharing more details, including a conference brochure, in the near future.”

“WIN is proud to offer a unique educational experience for the industry,” said Victoria Jankowski of State Farm, who also serves as WIN’s chair. “This will be the sixth year for our WIN conference, and we continue to develop a formula for conference content, based on WIN member feedback, that offers something meaningful for a diverse audience.”

For more information about becoming a WIN member or sponsor, go to www.womensindustrynetwork.com.

New Contact Info for ASA Office

Here is the national office’s new contact information should you need to reach us. For a complete staff directory, please visit our website, www.ASAshop.org.

Automotive Service Association (ASA)
8190 Precinct Line Rd., Ste. 100
Colleyville, TX 76034-7675
Toll-free (800) 272-7467 • Local (817) 514-2900
Fax (817) 514-0770
asainfo@asashop.org • www.ASAshop.org

     For Membership Services, please ask for ext. 361

For the Automotive Management Institute, please ask for ext. 101 or ext. 129