LAS VEGAS -- Zurich, one of the world’s largest property-casualty insurance companies, held its Fifth Annual Aftermarket Industry Conference Nov. 2 at the Four Seasons in Las Vegas during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week. Each year, Zurich brings industry leaders together and offers attendees the opportunity to network, learn from each other and address key industry issues.

Bob Tschippert, senior vice president for Automotive Specialty Markets, opened the conference with a brief overview of Zurich’s 2007 integration with Universal Underwriters Group (UUG) and the re-launch of Unicover VI, an enhanced coverage program for independent shop owners and small business owners. The change from UUG to Zurich, allowed the company to expand the breadth of its product offering by working closer with Zurich’s systems. Zurich provided more capabilities to the U.S. team, and during the transition, Zurich expanded its connection to the consumer and the automotive markets.

Tschippert also announced Zurich’s $10,000 commitment to GAAS, to support the continuing education of technicians and to encourage people to join our industry.

“The initiative with the scholarship allows us to partner more closely with the associations. We can help educate the shop owner. We built our reputation by being a trusted advisor. It is important to us that we continue to remain actively involved in providing solutions for various issues,” said Tschippert.

Tom Bradley, president and CEO of Zurich Direct Underwriters added, “This is all we do – automotive. We want to continue to build on our relations, and be a part of this industry. Our contribution to GAAS is not only important to the industry, it is extremely gratifying on a personal level.”

At the event, Ron Pyle, president of ASA, discussed the changes coming to CARS next year. For 25 years, CARS has been held in conjunction with the NACE show, but in a separate, smaller venue. The inaugural combined event will be held Nov. 5-8, 2008, Pyle announced, with CARS being co-located with NACE at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and will be held under the umbrella moniker of “Automotive Service and Repair Week.” The event will feature education, training and networking.

Dr. Roy Littlefield of TIA spoke briefly about the recent merger at TIA and its continuing push for technician training. After more than 45 years as separate and rival associations, NTDRA and ITRA merged to form TIA (Tire Industry Association), representing manufacturers and distributors. Littlefield also discussed recent additions to its training program.

“So far we have trained more than 33,000 technicians and our training is growing at a tremendous rate. We’re working closer with our manufacturers. They, along with our members, see the value of the TIA training,” said Littlefield. TIA has created certification programs for automotive and heavy duty truck, and is developing a program for mining vehicles.

Sandy Blalock, new president of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), announced that ARA is currently working with U.S. Senator Trent Lott to improve salvage title branding and developing a national standard regarding safe use of used air bags. ARA sees this as a safety issue for the motoring public. The association looks for its new “Gold Seal” program to advise the consumer that any Gold Seal technician is best in class and has met rigorous goals to reach the highest performance standards.

This year’s conference also featured keynote speaker, Walter Bond, first rookie free-agent ever to start opening night with the Dallas Mavericks. At 6’4” and 240 lbs., Bond strode down the aisle, booming out “No One Can Stop You But You,” and promised to challenge the way the audience thought. His presentation focused on confidence and what it takes to be a leader.

“Confidence is arrogance under control,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do in your life well, without confidence.” Bond told of the trials of his teen years as the son of his high school principal, and his college years, when he thought being “All-State from Chicago” meant he was the biggest and best on campus. Through these experiences and the guidance of his father and coaches, he grew to understand that being big and strong meant some things in some venues, but that discipline, hard work, focus and passion are all necessary and important qualities of a leader. He closed his presentation with this thought, “A great leader can lead you and you’ll never feel you’ve been led.”