In light of the excellent working relationship between ASRW and Autobody News, we wanted to comment on the ongoing ‘Insurance Insider’ column. We understand these are op-ed pieces and are written from the author’s point of view. However, the two articles we’ve seen—Can NACE Survive as a ‘Traveling Regional Trade Show? and Industry Undecided Which Organization Will Prevail in NACE vs. SEMA” each contain several inaccuracies.
Our attempts to contact the ‘insider’ regarding these statements received standard automated replies. We wanted to bring the following inaccurate statements to your readers’ attention:
‘Can NACE Survive as a ‘Traveling Regional Trade Show’? October 20, 2011 (online); November 2011 (print)
● Article states: “Aside from the fact there weren’t a lot of people there, which made it easier to navigate the show floor, the smaller event meant my feet were intact after a few days of walking.” – Although the size of NACE has contracted in proportion to the size of the collision industry since the late-1990s, ASRW 2011 had an increase in attendance of 18%.
● Article states: “They assembled a committee of industry experts that were supposed to help guide them to “NACE: The Next Generation.”—Although the ‘NACE: The Next Generation’ committee does not exist, we do solicit feedback from industry experts, attendees, exhibitors and prospective participants when making decisions that affect the future of ASRW.
● The article references a vote at the CIC meeting in early 2010 as the catalyst as to where the fall CIC meeting would take place.—Although votes occurred at this meeting, the relevant vote took place at the CIC Planning Meeting in January of 2011 and the results (holding the meeting in conjunction with NACE or SEMA) were separated by 1 vote.
‘Industry Undecided Which Organization Will Prevail in NACE vs. SEMA’ – November 23, 2011 (online); December 2011 (print)
• Article states: “[NACE] staked their claim as the undisputed ‘Collision Industry Trade Show Champion’ after 2011.—While we have never made this particular claim, NACE remains the only event dedicated to the professionals within the collision repair industry.
● Article states “SEMA is an upstart show.”—SEMA is not an upstart show. According to www.semashow.com, it is “the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world,” and has been in existence since 1966.
● Article states: “NACE lost the sale, and Round 1 of the ‘Battle of the Century’ last year went to SEMA.” According to www.semashow.com, SEMA’s audience consists of approximately 60,000 automotive enthusiasts in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports and RV markets. Unlike SEMA, NACE’s audience has been and remains the professional collision repairer.
We consider Autobody News to be a great partner/supporter, and we appreciate the on-going coverage and support we consistently receive. We welcome the opportunity and are always available to provide the anyone – including the ‘insider’ with factual information regarding ASRW.
Thank you,
ASRW Show Management
Hanley Wood Exhibitions
