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I-CAR recently announced the line-up of panelists who will speak during the general session of the 2012 I-CAR Industry Event, which is based on the theme “Driving Excellence.”
I-CAR said this year’s panelists will focus discussions on industry excellence. Speakers will discuss how to achieve industry-wide and business-specific excellence in repair methods, business performance and professionalism.
The panel discussion—which will be moderated by Vincent Romans, founding partner of the Romans Group—will include the following seven panelists who represent several segments of the collision repair industry:
• Tim O’Day, president and chief operating officer of Gerber Collision & Glass
• Will Johnston, co-owner and chief operating officer of AutoBody America
• Geralynn Kottschade, owner of Jerry's Body Shop
• James Roach, senior vice president of the Parts and Service Division for American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
• Darren Huggins, national collision director of Van Tuyl Auto Group
• Susanna Gotsch, director industry analyst for CCC Information Services Inc.
• George Avery, auto claim consultant—P&C Claims for State Farm Insurance
The 2012 I-CAR Industry Event will be held July 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Antonio, in conjunction with the next Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting. I-CAR said early bird registration for reduced pricing is available through May 31.
California Autobody Association San Diego Chapter Meeting May 22
Written by staffTuesday - May 22, 2012
Tom Ham’s Lighthouse
2150 Harbor Island Dr. - San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 291 - 9110
“How to Improve Some of Your Best Business Practices” Learn Key Standard Operating Procedures to Improve the Check in Process,
Increase CSI, Cycle Time, Customer Pay, and Lower Policy Adjustments
At our next chapter meeting, we will have special guest speaker Robert D. Rick. Robert is Vice-President of Sales & Consulting Services for Gates Business Solutions. Robert has more than 30 years in the automotive industry and has a vast wealth of experience in all aspects of consulting in collision repair.
For this meeting, Robert will discuss how Checking In a customer’s vehicle is one of the most critical procedures for setting the stage for increased sales, improved CSI, and improved cycle time. This would be a great opportunity to bring your estimators and CSRs to help them improve.
In addition to Robert speaking for us I would like to invite everyone again for our open discussion. We left off with Paul Amato sharing many ideas from his shop and we would like for there to be input from YOU! What are your thoughts and ideas? Maybe you can bring some props and share with the group.
Show up, Speak up, and be a part of an organization for YOUR industry!!!
Mail your check and reserve your seats now.
Check In and Dinner starts at 6:30pm. Meeting Starts Promptly at 7:00pm
Housing is open for attendees and exhibitors planning to participate in NACE-CARS (ASRW) 2012. Comprised of the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), ASRW is scheduled for Oct. 10-13 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.
Housing reservations are made through ASRW Housing, powered by Travel Planners, which is the only official housing provider for ASRW. Show management has contracted with a variety of New Orleans properties to provide discounted hotel rooms for attendees and exhibitors within close proximity to the convention center and other points of interest in the city.
"As a city, New Orleans is a huge draw, and we're highly encouraging all participants to book their rooms early to ensure availability," said Lindsay Roberts, ASRW show director. "Because we're able to offer no-obligation hotel reservations, rooms are already starting to fill up quickly."
ASRW will provide complimentary shuttle service to and from the convention center to official housing properties not located within walking distance.
Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW), comprised of the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), has been named to the 2011 Trade Show News Network's (TSNN) U.S. Top 250 Trade Shows list. The list represents the top 250 trade shows held last year ranked by net square footage in the U.S.
ASRW 2010, held in Las Vegas, was also recognized on the inaugural TSNN Top 250 list last year. NACE was previously recognized in 2004 on Tradeshow Week's Fastest 50 list of the fastest growing trade shows in the U.S., and appeared on the magazine's Top 200 list each year through 2010.
"Continually being recognized on such a prestigious list is not only a great accomplishment, but a great reminder of what a large, relevant event ASRW continues to be," said Lindsay Roberts, ASRW show director. "We're thrilled to be included again this year."
Hanley Wood Exhibitions, which produces ASRW for the Automotive Service Association (ASA), ranked fourth among leading show management organizations of TSNN 250 shows with six shows included on the list.
The 2012 ASRW is scheduled for Oct. 10-13 at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.
Huntington Beach Body Works to Hold Christmas Party to Benefit America's Baby Cancer Foundation
Written by StaffHuntington Beach Body Works will host their fourth annual Christmas party, Saturday, December 17 from 1:00p.m. – 3:30p.m. The party will be hosted by Rich and Patricia Evans and will benefit America's Baby Cancer Foundation.
The party will include a special appearance from Santa with gifts, food, drinks, and special motor sports themed entertainment.
The event will be held at Huntington Beach Bodyworks, 18108 Redondo Circle Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
For more information please visit www.babycancer.org or www.huntingtonbchbodyworks.com.
Collision Repairer Wins Welder at SCRS SEMA Booth
Written by StaffSCRS and its Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series created plenty of excitement on their own from November 1-4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. One of the many reasons the Society’s booth was crowded with enthusiastic collision repair professionals was a series of prize drawings made possible through the participation of SCRS and its sponsors.
One such prize was the CM253 MIG/MAG Welder donated by Car-O-Liner®, and the lucky winner of the raffle for it was Glen Caudle, Owner of Glendale Collision in Saskatoon, Canada. “I couldn’t believe it when I received the call,” Caudle shared. “I’ve been coming to the SEMA Show for the past four years, but I’ve never won anything like this. I’m so happy to have won this from SCRS, and what makes it great is I already use Car-O-Liner equipment in my shop. We can’t wait to put it to work!”
To become eligible for the drawing, visitors to the SCRS booth had to pick up a “report card” listing all RDE sponsors and their booth locations within the show. The participant then had to visit each RDE sponsor’s exhibit, have a company representative stamp the card, and return the completed card to the SCRS booth for entry into the drawing.
Women’s Board Car Care Council Holds Reception at AAPEX 2011, Awards Industry Leaders
Written by Staff
The Car Care Council Women’s Board held their14th Annual Car Care Council Women’s Board Reception on November 1 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada during the annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) tradeshow. The reception awards many companies and industry leaders.
Deborah Bjorklund was awarded the Aftermarket Woman of the Year Award. Bjorklund is president of The Main Resource (TMR), a manufacturer and distributor of aftermarket parts to repair shops. TMR also provides parts and accessories to the auto equipment industry. Since Bjorklund purchased the company in 2005, it has doubled in size. Prior to TMR, she worked at Will-Fix Automotive for 17 years.
Audra Fordin, owner of Great Bear Auto Shop Flushing, NY, was awarded the Best Shop Award.
“What an honor it was to just be nominated. Wow! But to actually win! It is a very profound feeling I am experiencing; I feel stronger in my stride and I am going to keep driving forward and resist obstacles that are always trying to push me off road from my ultimate destination... ‘women AUTO know!’ To be the first recipient of this award is pretty darn cool too!” said Fordin of her big win.
The council also awarded a $2,500 scholarship award to Michelle Perez, a collision repair student at Skyline College in CA.
“Our Women’s Board ‘Aftermarket Women of the Year’ awards are a way for us to applaud exceptional women in the aftermarket for their dedicated service, as well as to recognize women who are going above and beyond to make a difference in the industry,” said AAA’s Ruth Ehlinger, president of the Car Care Council Women’s Board.
San Diego California Autobody Association Chapter’s Annual Holiday Party
Written by Staff
The San Diego chapter of the California Autobody Association (CAA) held their 7th annual holiday party November 5 at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse in San Diego.
The theme of the party was ‘Gaming with a Twist’ thanks to host Barryn Vaughn, World Class Close-Up Magician and Game Master.
The event welcomed CAA members, friends and family at a cost of $45. Included in the price was a buffet dinner, (1) 50/50 raffle ticket, dancing and a fun-filled night.
Raffle Prizes were drawn throughout the night, including the 50/50 raffle, which was drawn at 10:30 p.m.
The Holiday Event was sponsored by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and PPG Industries (The VIPs); as well as Supporting Event Sponsors 1-800-Radiator, Drew Auto Group, FinishMaster and Sherwin Williams.
For more information about upcoming CAA San Diego meetings please call Hop at: 760-275-9246.
Social Studies Panel Held at 2011 SEMA Show Highlights Social Media Best Practices for Shops
Written by StaffOne of the educational panels held during the 2011 SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center concentrated on how social media can best be used by collision repairers. The panel was held on Thursday, November 3 at 10 a.m. and brought together leading social media experts in the collision repair industry. Collision Hub’s Kristen Felder, Jonathan Barrick, Marketing Manager for Global Finishing Solutions, and Frank Terlep, owner of Summit Software Solutions, came together on this panel to answer collision repairers’ questions about how social media can help their businesses. Jordan Hendler, executive director of the Washington (D.C.) Metropolitan Auto Body Association, moderated the panel.
Hendler started off the session by asking panelists how collision repairers know that their customers want social media from them.
A collision repairer’s customers are already on various forms of social media, says Felder, “If you’re not already there, hurry up!”
Hendler continued by asking the panel how collision repairers can start being active in social media. Terlep stated that repairers should start with the ‘big 4’ in social media marketing; Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and LinkedIn.
“Have a plan,” said Terlep, “Sit with other shops and put a plan together.”
Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Sponsored Pinewood Drag Races Light Up 2011 SEMA Show
Written by StaffThe Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) sponsored Pinewood Derby Races took place during the 2011 SEMA show; the 13 custom pinewood cars were also up for auction on eBay following the show to benefit the children’s charities Childhelp and Victory Junction Camp.
Participating pinewood builders included Art Morrison, Fatman Fabrications, Fesler Concepts, Hollywood Hot Rods, Hopperstad Customs, Johnny’s Auto Trim, Kaucher Kustoms, No Joke Upholstery, Rich Evans Designs, Santini Paint and Body, Spanky’s Hot Rods, Spitzer Concepts and Street Vizions.
Derek White of Street Vizions successfully defended his first-place title this year, his second consecutive win. Rich Evans Designs was the runner up again this year as well.
Each contestant was given four months to complete the car; no design limitations were given except that the car had to fit the track’s dimensions and no propulsions systems were allowed.
The eBay auction took place November 1 through 10, search HRIA Pinewood on eBay to find the bidding pages.
