NACE Increases Number of Jobber Sessions
The 2004 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) will offer an expanded PBE jobber program that will include five educational sessions on important topics challenging today’s jobber professionals. NACE takes place Nov. 3-6, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas.
Installer or Technician — What Are You?
“He thinks I’m working on parts. I’m working on concepts.” I recently came across this sentence in the book “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.” Unfortunately, this sentence describes the mentality of some elements in the aftermarket. It really got me thinking about an incident that happened to me earlier in the week. I was talking to a person involved in the aftermarket and he kept using the word “installer” to describe shops and technicians. Personally, I find the word “installer” to be very offensive. It does not describe the full role of the professional automotive technician in the aftermarket. It reduces technicians to merely “parts swappers” and not diagnosticians.
Japanese Students Get Lesson on U.S. Cars
Who knew that American autos could pose such a culture shock — the steering wheel is on the left side, the cars are bigger and American drivers use car-side mirrors.
New Sponsorship, Promotional Opportunities at AAPEX 2004
New sponsorship and promotional opportunities have been created for the 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), which is scheduled to take place Nov. 2-5 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. Show organizers have developed a number of pre-packaged advertising options designed specifically to draw more traffic to exhibitors’ booths and reinforce branding at the 2004 show. New sponsorship opportunities at the 2004 event include an improved Cyber Center e-mail station in the upper lobby, entranceway banners and “monster” banners. Other options include the “You Are Here” boards, aisle signs, column wraps and much more.
NASCAR Targets Younger Fans Through Cartoons
With its influence and popularity growing stronger everyday, NASCAR is now looking to create a new audience of younger fans. NASCAR has teamed up with the Cartoon Network to develop the ‘NASCARtoon Racing’ brand, a customized on-air and online campaign sponsored by Kellogg’s. The new brand is designed to engage young fans through the familiarity of their favorite Cartoon Network characters.
U.S. Consumers Not Replacing Parts Often Enough for Maximum Performance, Says AASA
U.S. consumers are replacing vital parts and fluids in their vehicles, but not as regularly as needed to keep the vehicles running in top condition, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).
Leadership for Change — Staying the Course: Commitment to Change
For change leaders at all levels, nothing is more important than staying the course — showing clear and continuing public commitment to the change initiative under way. One of the most common situations we see is the failure of senior executives to personally stick close to key initiatives they’ve started. Many executives see their role as generating ideas and setting goals and direction. Once an initiative is launched, it becomes someone else’s responsibility to see it through to conclusion. The executive moves on to something new, which may very well be defining and launching yet another initiative. In some organizations this results in an ongoing cascade of terrific improvement ideas, many of which are never completed.
Executive Interview: John Washbish Talks About the Dana AAG Acquisition
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features John Washbish, president of customer relationship management for the Dana Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG). On Friday it was officially announced that New York-based investment firm Cypress Group agreed to buy Dana AAG for $1.1 billion. We had the opportunity to talk to Washbish just hours after the announcement was made. Join us as he shares some of the preliminary details on the acquisition and talks about the future of the Automotive Aftermarket Group.
Register for AAPEX Online at a $40 Savings
Registration for the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) – set for Tuesday, Nov. 2, through Friday, Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas – is now open online. Registering online nets participants a $40 savings and includes admission to the three Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) tradeshows for just $10 – AAPEX, the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), Wednesday, Nov. 3, through Saturday, Nov. 6, at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino; and the SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. AAIW is the largest annual trade event in Las Vegas.
Early Online Registration Discount for NACE Congress Package Ends July 14
The early online registration discount for the 2004 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) educational package ends July 14. NACE 2004 takes place Nov. 3-6, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.