NACE Registration to Include Complimentary Admittance and Shuttle to AAIW Shows
Organizers of the 2004 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) have announced that the registration fee will now include a badge that will admit attendees to the NACE Exposition, as well as Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) shows – SEMA and AAPEX.
MEMA’s Information Services Council Creates Forum for Aftermarket IT Professionals
This fall, an assembly of aftermarket information technology (IT) and information services (IS) professionals will meet in southwest Florida to discuss key IT and e-commerce issues affecting the aftermarket. Hosted by MEMA’s Information Services Council (MIS Council), the 2004 Fall Conference will take place Sunday, Oct. 17 through Wednesday, Oct. 20.
DST Users’ Group Announces Spring Conference Agenda
The Directors of the DST Users’ Group have announced the agenda for its upcoming three-day Group Conference, to be held May 12-14, at the Laguna Hills, Calif., Holiday Inn, located near DST’s corporate headquarters. The conference will focus on common goals of DSTWare users, networking, training, product direction and best practices, as well as break-out discussion groups. Topics will include warehouse management, bar coding, replenishment, querying, creative extracting and reporting ideas, cataloging, sales management, and Internet-based parts ordering.
Jasper Engines & Transmissions Becomes “Silver” Sponsor of the Car Care Council Women’s Board
Jasper Engines & Transmissions has signed on as a “Silver” sponsor of the Car Car Council’s Women’s Board activities for 2004. The Car Care Council Women’s Board recently expanded its sponsorship program in order to support all of the Women’s Board activities for the year.
Retooling a Pool of Talent: Michigan Reaches Out from Brawn to Brains
Diego Rivera’s famous mural of Detroit’s industry depicts big, muscular men pulling on steel and manipulating heavy machines as they mold new cars. But if Rivera were here today, how would he see the city? Probably not muscling steel girders around. He’d see MBAs and computer geeks creating the modern automotive world in front of their computers.
UTI Expands Program at Florida Campus to Include Automotive Training
Universal Technical Institute (UTI), a national provider of technical education training, has announced a long-term agreement to expand program offerings at its Orlando, Fla., campus to include automotive training. The Orlando automotive program expansion will help to address the growing technician needs within that specific region, said UTI. According to state occupational projections, Florida has the third largest number of annual automotive technician openings in the U.S.
APRC Presents Third Annual Excellence in Automotive PR Awards
The winners of the third annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Awards were honored on April 21 at the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) Spring Conference held in Dearborn, Mich. APRC, a part of MEMA, is a professional organization for public relations practitioners in all segments of the automotive industry. The only award of its kind, the Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.
Executive Interview with Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of AAIA
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Schmatz became president and CEO of AAIA on Jan. 1, 2004. She had served as executive vice president of the association since January 2002. In addition to filling us in on her first few months at her new post, Schmatz shared with aftermarketNews.com updates on AAIA’s merger with AWDA, Right to Repair legislation and the Be Car Care Award Campaign.
Prominent ASA Leader Passes Away
Allen Richey, former CEO of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), passed away early Wednesday morning, April 21. He began his association career as editor of the 11-member Independent Garagemen’s Association (IGA) of Texas’ monthly magazine. As his responsibilities with IGA grew, he worked to provide training and education to association members. His vision for offering training and education to the automotive repair and service industry was realized in the formation of the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). As a result of his lifelong devotion and commitment to the industry, Richey was instrumental in the successful merger of two renowned automotive associations, the Automotive Service Council and the Independent Automotive Service Association, to form what is now ASA.
Vince Daviero Named Director of Northwood’s University of the Aftermarket
Vincent Daviero has been named director of Northwood’s University of the Aftermarket, effective June 1. Daviero’s most recent position was director of training and education at Tires Plus franchise division of Bridgestone/Firestone-Morgan Tire & Auto Inc., where he produced materials for instructor-led sales training programs. His accomplishments include the conceptualization and development of instructional curricula and on-site instructor-led training programs.