ASRW Makes Major Changes to NACE/CARS Expositions Starting in 2011

Thursday, 06 January 2011 18:13

ASRW Makes Major Changes to NACE/CARS Expositions Starting in 2011

As a direct result of feedback from industry participants, Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) has announed it will return to a rotating pattern beginning in 2011. The 2011 exposition will be held Oct. 6-8 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., which also returns the show to a Thursday - Saturday date pattern. Education will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 5. ASRW includes the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), both sponsored by the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

Ron Pyle, ASA President, briefly mentioned investigating potential changes at the closing press conference of the 2010 event. Subsequently, ASRW solicited feedback and opinions from the industry through a series of surveys which stated, "you decide." Participants were asked to provide input on all aspects of the show, and included attendees, exhibitors, and prospects.

"The surveys elicited much more of a response than we were expecting and we are grateful to everyone who took the time to respond," stated Pyle. "We spent weeks pouring through all the feedback we received from the surveys to grasp what the industry wanted from this show - starting with the location, days of the week, and time of the year."

ASRW plans to rotate locations between the East, Midwest and West. Rotating the event is intended to attract new attendees, as well as those who have not been attending in previous years. The location for 2012 is to be determined.

Information from surveys taken after the 2010 NACE show showed that the industry wanted the show to rotate geographically around the country, take place in October/November, and over a Thursday - Saturday day pattern.

ASA solicited the preferred city in each segment of the country (East Coast, Midwest and West Coast). On the East Coast, Orlando was ranked as the #1 option. Although the audience was tired of the event being permanently located in Las Vegas, they still overwhelmingly preferred Las Vegas when the event rotates to the West Coast. The top Midwest locations were New Orleans, Indianapolis, Chicago and San Antonio.

"ASRW is the industry's show, and we're pleased with the changes we've made which align directly to the majority consensus we received," continued Pyle.

Preparations for the 2011 event are well underway. Housing for the 2011 event will open in late spring and will feature a variety of options, ranging in price from $99 - $200. Registration for attendees and exhibitors will open in early summer. Visit www.ASRWevents.com for more information.

For additional information, contact Hanley Wood Exhibitions at P.O. Box 612128, Dallas, Texas 75261-2128 or call (888) 529-1641 or (972) 536-6444.