The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) will hold its Annual Meeting and Convention March 31 and April 1 at the Holiday Inn St. Paul East (I-94 & McKnight Rd.), St. Paul, Minn.
The 1-½ day line-up includes 17 different programs for mechanical and collision repair shop owners, managers and technicians, as well as industry suppliers. In addition, the convention format has been changed to Thursday/Friday rather than Friday/Saturday to accommodate the busy schedules and preferences of AASP-MN members and their employees.
Thursday, March 31
1–3 p.m. Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Extravaganza, facilitated by AASP-MN member experts
1–4:30 p.m. Diagnostic Best Practices, Chris Chesney, CARQUEST
1–5 p.m. I-CAR: Vehicle Technology & Trends 2011, Mitch Becker, I-CAR
3:15–4:30 p.m. Adding Social Media to Your Marketing Toolbox, Tyler Olson, SMCpros
3:15–4:30 p.m. How to Save Money on Your Insurance, Jeff Maas, Associated Insurance Agents
3:15–4:30 p.m. Selling Service, Elliot Silk, Factory Motor Parts
3:15–4:30 p.m. Standard Operating Procedures for Quality Control, Shawn Collins, Wreck Tech
Training
4–6 p.m. Happy Hour/Vendor Showcase
6:30–9 p.m. Industry Dinner at Lake Elmo Inn
Friday, April 1
7:30–11:30 a.m. I-CAR: Electronically-Controlled Steering & Suspension Systems, Shawn Collins, I-CAR
8–10 a.m. Take Charge of Your Shop’s Performance, Ed Welter, 3M
8–11:30 a.m. Selling Across Generations, Norm Angrove, PPG
8–11:30 a.m. Budgeting for Profit, Gary Gunn, Automotive Service Leaders
8–11:30 a.m. Modern Engine Lubrication, Kevin McCartney
10:15–11:30 a.m. Body Shop Success in the 21st Century, Frank Terlep, Summit Software & Mobile Solutions
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch/Keynote Address: “It’s A Jungle In There,” Steve Schussler, Schussler Creative, Inc.
1:30–3:30 p.m. Improving Efficiency in the Body Shop, Jim Lovejoy, AKZO Nobel
1:30–3:30 p.m. Diagnostic Scan Tool Comparisons, Bruce Dodson, Factory Motor Parts
1:30–3:30 p.m. Mysteries, Misassumptions, and Myths – All Those OSHA/EPA/DOT/PCA Regulations, Janet L. Keyes, CIH & Carol A. Keyes, CHESS, Inc.
1:30–4:30 p.m. Gasoline Direct Injection, Kevin McCartney
In addition to the seminars, AASP-MN will provide several opportunities for attendees to network and socialize with their peers. Thursday evening will feature industry vendors displaying their new products and services and a dinner at Lake Elmo Inn.
Annual Meeting & Convention registration information is available online at www.aaspmn.org, or call the AASP-MN office at 612-623-1110.
