Jay Leno will provide the laughs and Allstate Insurance will take center stage at the general session meeting at NACE 2001 in Las Vegas, Nov 29 - Dec. 2. In the General Session meeting on Friday, November 30, Charles "Chuck" Paul, vice president of the Allstate Claims Strategy Group, will discuss the company's recent acquisition of Sterling Collision Centers and its 39 shops. Paul planned and negotiated the acquisition. 

Leno

Paul will also talk about Allstate's Priority Repair Option (PRO) Program, P&C Personal Lines Marketplace and other developments within the company. His career with Allstate started in 1977, and he has held positions in operations, finance, planning and procurement. In his current position, he is responsible for consolidating all claim strategy work and building appropriate processes for new strategic initiatives.

GM Chairman's "View From Detroit"

John F. Smith, Jr., chairman of General Motors Corporation, will deliver the General Session keynote address with the presentation, "A View from Detroit." Smith will speak on several topics of particular interest to the collision repair industry, including the Automotive-YES "school-to-career" program, the future of auto manufacturing, and GM collision repair initiatives, such as the Goodwrench Auto Body Center program and the OEConnection and its first product offering - CollisionLink.

NACE 2001 Chairman Chris Dameron will officially open the NACE General Session with a state-of-the-industry report. Dameron is safety standards manager for True2Form Collision Repair Centers Inc., Raleigh, N.C., and has been in the collision repair business for more than 20 years.

Jay Leno heads entertainment lineup

Jay Leno, host of "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," will perform live at NACE 2001 on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Leno is passionate about performing in front of live audiences and enjoys working on his collection of classic cars and motorcycles - an interest shared among NACE attendees.

Tickets for Saturday Night with Jay Leno are included in the full Congress Registration package or individual tickets may be purchased by NACE attendees for $60.

Other NACE entertainment includes the NACE Welcome Reception on Nov. 29, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at The Mirage Hotel & Casino. Tickets to this event are also included in the full Congress Registration package or individual tickets may be purchased for $45.

NACE also has reserved a limited number of tickets for some of the hottest shows in Las Vegas that usually sell out. These shows include Blue Man Group, Mystere Cirque Du Soleil and Danny Gans. Tickets can only be purchased on the NACE website (www.NACEexpo.com) and seats are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

On Nov. 30, starting at 6:30 p.m., there will be NACE exhibitor-hosted events at a variety of hotels and citywide venues. Some of these events are by invitation-only.

35,000 expected to attend

NACE 2001 opens in Las Vegas on Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 2. It is expected to draw 35,000-plus attendees from more than 70 countries. NACE features a world class Exposition showcasing the latest collision repair products, services, equipment and technology.

Additional information and on-line registration is available on the NACE website (www.NACEexpo.com), or contact NACE Show Management, Hanley-Wood Exhibitions in Dallas, Texas at (888) 529-1641 or (972) 536-6444.