BEDFORD, TX — Hundreds gathered during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) at the 2005 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) held at The Mirage in Las Vegas. CARS, in conjunction with the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division, is held annually during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) and focuses on education while also offering entertainment and networking opportunities.
“We provided an event that allowed each attendee to leave Las Vegas with more than he or she came with – CARS 2005 was certainly a success,” said Robbie Addison, ASA Mechanical Division manager. “Attendees took advantage of the opportunity to learn from the technical and management sessions, network with old and new friends, and experience a trade show that brought them ‘up close and personal’ to companies that provide services and products to help them run their business more efficiently and profitably.”
CARS 2005 offered eight technical courses and five Automotive Management-Institute approved management seminars taught by some of the leading instructors in the industry. To mark the opening of AAIW, Thursday, Nov. 4, was Service Professionals Day at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). ASA representatives cut the ribbon to officially open the AAPEX show that day. Manufacturer-specific technical sessions were also offered Thursday, providing shop owners and technicians a chance to prepare for the vehicles they will be servicing in the near future. Representatives from General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Chrysler and Delphi led the sessions.
Thursday night, a thousand industry professionals convened for the 4th Service Professionals Industry Reception co-hosted by ASA and the International Automotive Technicians’ Network (iATN). In addition to networking, food and special show discounts and giveaways, the event provided attendees the opportunity to visit with the 60 participating companies in the CARS 2005 Exhibitor Showcase, the largest in CARS’ history.
“A lot has been discussed recently about the service information needed in our world of auto repair. In many ways, the information needed to fix cars today is easier to get now than 30 years ago – and much faster,” said Don Seyfer, AAM, owner of Seyfer Automotive in Wheat Ridge, CO, to attendees at his Nov. 5 address. “It seems the proactive people and shops are actively seeking any means to gain knowledge and information, and it’s out there if you look.” Seyfer also serves as CARS 2005 chairman.
Patrick Grady, keynote speaker at Saturday’s luncheon shared his inspirational message explaining how making strategic decisions can create positive actions in your business.
“Life is a series of choices, and you can choose your attitude,” Grady told attendees. “Have an optimistic attitude; It doesn’t matter if you are the service manager or technician, it is everyone’s job to deliver customer service. If you can’t help the customer, take control and introduce them to someone who can.”
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