NACE | Automechanika Chicago: Keeping you ahead of the changes

If there’s one thing everyone in the automotive industry agrees on, it’s that ongoing training is no longer an option in keeping up with changing vehicle technology. If you haven’t already signed up to attend the inaugural NACE | Automechanika Chicago, scheduled for July 26-29, both the ASA Mechanical Division and Collision Division operations committees urge you to do so now. NACE | Automechanika Chicago will offer tracks for both mechanical and collision shops with educational programs, exhibitors and seminars/panels designed for all who attend.

For 2017, the MOC and COC have cooperated to provide input on training topics and presentations at NACE | Automechanika Chicago to ensure that what you’ll find there is not only convenient, but targeted, comprehensive, diverse, high-quality and state-of-the-art.

“This year’s training programs continue to build on the diverse and leading-edge educational classes that have been offered in years gone by,” says Dan Risley, ASA president and executive director. “Attendees should expect to gain knowledge that will keep them at the cutting edge of the industry and leaders in their marketplace.”

The show will present four days of concentrated value, including opportunities to:
Network with some of the best minds in the industry
Receive hands-on technical training
Spend more time with the newest technology
Participate in forums that will help grow your business, while providing critical operational intelligence and industry knowledge

Shop for tools from more than 500 exhibitors
Get free training from OEMs
With more than 10,000 attendees, the event will showcase the latest technology in the automotive aftermarket industry. Automotive mechanical repair professionals will experience four days of education and training that include diagnostics, hybrids, diesels, brake service and A/C, as well as business, management and marketing techniques tailored to their unique needs.

The mechanical training sessions will feature industry experts such as John Thornton, Craig Van Batenburg, Danny Sanchez, G. Jerry Truglia, Bobby Bassett and Vin Waterhouse, as well as representatives from Federal-Mogul Motorparts, Standard Motor Products, Mitchell 1, CARQUEST Technical Institute and more. Well-known collision trainers will include Doug Craig, Mike Anderson, David Luehr, Greta Houlahan, Lee Rush and Jerry Gastineau.

In addition to OEMs from Toyota, Nissan, Fiat/Chrysler, GM and more, attendees also can sit in as representatives of several manufacturers, which produce parts and systems for automakers and lead courses that cover the changing systems service repairers are seeing in their shops now. Special courses also will be offered for shop owners and managers on budgeting, hiring and training.

Registration is open, so sign up now at NACEAutomechanika.com/register to commit to training and becoming a better automotive professional. Registration takes just a few minutes and ensures that you’re kept up-to-date with the latest show news. The registration comes with a free Expo Hall pass that will help you interact with and explore products, services and new technologies on display from all of the exhibitors.

For a complete schedule of speaker sessions, go to NACEAutomechanika.com. See you in Chicago!

– Tony Molla, ASA vice president

Event Highlights

ew Session, New Collision Tech

Presented by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Advance Technology & Diagnostic Repair (ATDR) Forum will focus on technology that’s redefining the scope of proper repair after a vehicle is involved in an accident. This technology includes sensors, cameras, accident avoidance systems, wireless communications and more. Car manufacturers, insurers, repairers and tech companies are driving the content.

“This is the first event that exclusively covers the latest in telematics and other new technology as it relates to the collision repair industry,” says Dan Risley, president and executive director of ASA. “The new advisory board made a huge impact in developing content relative to the needs of the market, and attendees of this program will gain significant insight necessary for success in their businesses.”

Everyone involved in the collision repair industry is welcome, including collision repairers, executive and management staff from MSOs, networks and franchisors, insurance professionals and technology providers. The forum will take place Wednesday, July 26. To register for ATDR, go to stonefortgroup.com/atdrf-2017/register.

Boost Your Business Here

While attending the show, visit the Automotive Management Institute’s (AMi) booth. Why? Two compelling reasons:

1

AMi has made tremendous strides in its “next generation” project to increase its relevance and convenience for you. This nonprofit organization has a suite of products and services designed by the industry to help you increase profits, improve employee retention and customer loyalty and drive professionalism. As a portion of the re-established AMi’s core belief states, “Learning is the only source of a sustainable competitive advantage,” and you can be assured more and more of your competitors are beginning to embrace learning as the next level of competitiveness, not just for their technicians but also for their customer-facing and administrative staff. Don’t allow your business to fail to achieve the next level!

2

There is simply no better opportunity than while attending NACE | Automechanika Chicago to come by, meet the AMi staff and let them personally show you how AMi can help you take your career and business to the next level.

Mike Anderson Conducts Collision Repair Training

If you’re in the business of collision repair, this year’s event features hundreds of major domestic and international automotive manufacturers and offers prime opportunities for sourcing new products and suppliers. Attendees will have access to product categories such as parts and components; accessories and customizing; repair and maintenance; refinishing supplies; management and digital solutions; car wash, care and reconditioning; and electronics and systems.

Mike Anderson, former owner of Wagonwork Collision Centers, two highly acclaimed shops located in Alexandria, Va., and currently the owner of Collision Advice, will offer several speakers’ sessions during the event, including:

Utilizing Enterprise ARMS Reporting to Improve Shop Performance, at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 26.

How to Improve Gross Profit Through Estimating – Understanding the 30/20/10 Rule, at 8 a.m. Thursday, July 27.

Positioning Yourself in the Collision Repair Industry, at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27.

Sustaining Excellence (with Ray Chew of CCC Information Services), at 8 a.m. Friday, July 28

Hear Key Decision
Makers at the
MSO SymposiumWho attends the MSO Symposium? Dynamic and high-growth-oriented executives from MSOs. CARSTAR, Caliber Collision, LaMettry’s, Travelers, Branning, Fix Auto, Allstate, and leaders from many other MSOs, insurance companies and large independent repair businesses are already signed up.

In addition, this year’s event will feature industry leaders providing insights into the shift in the collision repair marketplace due to vehicles that are more complicated to repair. Representatives from OEMs, including Honda (Gary LeDoux), GM (John Eck), Mercedes Benz (Benito Cid) and Ford (Mark Mandl) will discuss how MSOs can succeed in this environment and what attempts, if any, OEs are making to introduce standardization across the industry to lessen the burden on repairers.

The MSO Symposium is scheduled from 1-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26, with a reception following from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Seating is limited, so register now at stonefortgroup.com/mso-2017/register/.

Training from Mitchell 1

Three members of the Mitchell 1 team will join the lineup of industry leaders presenting training sessions during the extensive education program at NACE | Automechanika Chicago.

The sessions include:

Using Social Media and Other Tools to Improve Communication with Customers Before, During and After Their Service: Marcus Mackell, market manager for the SocialCRM auto-shop marketing product line. 8 a.m. Thursday, July 27, and 8 a.m. Friday, July 28.

Integrating Repair Information into your Diagnostic Strategy: Mike Alberry, product manager, and Jim Moritz, Snap-on national sales and training support representative. 8 a.m. Friday, July 28, and 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29.

What You Need to Know About Telematics and Emerging Vehicle Technology: Ben Johnson, director of product management. 4 p.m. Friday, July 28, and 1 p.m. Saturday, July 29.

When registering for any NACE | Automechanika Chicago training session, enter the Mitchell 1 promo code, PMIT2017, to receive free training.

On the Media Moments Stage

A centralized showcase for photo and interview opportunities (see show schedule for times). Events include:

National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program will be giving away four vehicles to needy families at noon on Thursday, July 27. The ceremony is designed to highlight the positive, life-changing impact that reliable transportation provides for individuals struggling to rebuild their lives. It brings together stakeholders such as service carriers, rental car companies and salvage yards to donate vehicles to individuals in need. Manufacturers and suppliers contribute to the effort by donating parts and materials.

Autologic Diagnostics, a worldwide provider of the first Cloud-based, vehicle-connected aftermarket automotive diagnostic solution, will unveil a novel new product that could change the way automotive repairs are performed.

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced a goal of raising $100,000 for Chicago public schools and city colleges. CREF gathers support and donations from individuals and businesses that will be used to help Chicago collision school instructors ensure that their students receive the best technical education possible. A check presentation will take place on stage during the week. Check show schedule for time.

The LORD Corporation, maker of Fusor Aftermarket Repair Adhesives, a leading metal and plastic bonding solution for the automotive collision repair market, will be announcing its exclusive distribution relationship to bring Fusor Aftermarket Repair Adhesives to the North American collision repair industry.

Automotive Management Institute (AMi) is pleased to host their 2017 graduation ceremonies during the NACE | Automechanika Chicago event. Sharing the festivities at the show gives other industry professionals a birds-eye view into the opportunities and advancements available through AMi. Graduation ceremony begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 27. “We’re excited about this new graduation format and especially the opportunity for graduates, their friends and family to visit the Field Museum afterward to celebrate their accomplishment,” says AMi President Jeff Peevy.

Student Day: Friday, July 28, students are invited to visit the show floor, participate in the training and stop by the Career Connection, as well as enjoy the many other activities prepared with them in mind. This includes the Closing Tailgate party scheduled from 3-4 p.m. on the exhibit floor.

Click here for the Exhibitor Spotlight.