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AASP-MN Hits the Track to Support Student Scholarships, Raises Funds For Automotive Education The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) recently raised nearly $8,500 during its 2016 fundraising campaign to support the AASP-MN Automotive Education Fund. The majority of that money was raised at the Association’s 14th annual Race for Automotive Education, held January 12th & 13th at ProKart Indoors, Burnsville, and will fund scholarships for automotive students enrolled in NATEF-certified mechanical and collision repair programs in Minnesota. During the course of the twonight event, 110 racers tore up the
track in state-of-the-art European karts, reaching speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour. Many fans and spectators were also on hand to cheer their teams on. 22 teams of mechanical and collision repair shops and industry suppliers were represented and the competition was fierce. Trophies were awarded to the 1st place and runner-up teams. They were:
Tuesday, January 12th 1st Place – Superior Service Center, Eagan; Runner-Up – St. Anthony Mobil, St. Anthony See AASP-MN, Page 33
VOL. 5 ISSUE 6 MARCH 2016
National AutoBody Research Launches VRS Labor Rate Surveys in Arkansas and New Mexico National Autobody Research (NABR) launched VRS Labor Rate Surveys in two more states; Arkansas and New Mexico. The Arkansas and New Mexico VRS Labor Rate Surveys were both sponsored by anonymous collision repairers in their respective states. The online survey is free for all Arkansas collision repair shops and can be found on the NABR website. According to a NABR press release, the VRS Labor Rate Survey will provide collision repairers in Arkansas and New Mexico with an independent, third-party, trusted survey of state-wide labor rate data. The VRS reports the
true, market-based rate ranges throughout the states of Arkansas and New Mexico, based on shops’ actual prices, not on one artificially defined, singleprevailing rate for all repairers. “There is a significant problem with labor rates in the state of Arkansas,” said the state’s survey sponsor. “The rates insurers pay are not only below the market price but also not sufficiently profitable for shops, who must continually invest in training, tools, equipment and certifications to repair today’s increasingly advanced vehicles. Finally, we have a solution in the VRS, See Labor Rate Survey, Page 67
2016 Midwest Auto Body Trade Show Breaks Records, New Format Brings More Vendors, More Attendees by Janet Chaney, Special to Autobody News
more education and keynote speaker Mike Anderson.” He said the new formula brought more vendors, more attendees and more success. Everything kicked off Friday at 1
Almost 500 people filled the rooms on February 5 and 6 at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa at the 6th Annual Midwest Auto Body Trade Show. The event, hosted by the Iowa Collision Repair Association, was expanded to two days and held on a Friday and Saturday this year. “We took a chance on a Saturday hoping to bring more technicians to the show and it worked,” said Dick Merron, president of the ICRA and trade show Mike Anderson (l) was the keynote speaker and received chairman. “We also brought a standing ovation after his address
p.m., beginning with Mike Anderson’s featuring an I-CAR Silent Auction-A “Write-It-Right, Best Estimating Prac- benefit for students, was another tices” seminar. It was standing room crowded industry room filled with only for the five-and-a-half-hour great conversation. Shop owner Brent Walker, who event. When Anderson started the event, attended the event from Memphis, he asked for a raise of hands and Missouri, said he enjoyed the crowd. asked, “How many people have not “It was all encompassing, you were albeen to one of my classes before?” There was a surprising number of hands that went up and those people were in for an industry turbo-charged session. “The number of people who were new to this class and the trade show was great news,” said ICRA Executive (l to r) Dick Merron, president of the ICRA, and Janet Director, Janet Chaney. Chaney, stand with Chad Holamer and Zort Brown of “That means we are reaching DentSmart. Chad Holamer donated $500 to the ICRA to fund a student scholarship program more people in the industry.” Anderson’s Write–It Right pro- ways in the middle of collision industry conversation, whether it was you gram was a great beginning for this talking with someone, or listening to day-and-a-half program. The closing other people around you; it just took of the seminar was out in the parking lot watching Jake Rodenroth do a live over.” The I-CAR Silent Auction condemonstration of the AsTech2 Collitinued Saturday throughout the trade sion Diagnostics System at work! This led into the Friday night welcome re- show and net almost $7,000 for Iowa Student Education. ception. Three educational breakout sesThe inaugural Midwest Auto See Midwest Trade Show, Page 42 Body Trade Show welcome reception,
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