The Automotive Service Association, sponsor of the recently created Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) as well as the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), has announced that Archie Manning, All-American quarterback and NFL MVP, will be the 2008 keynote speaker at the Opening General Session on Nov. 6. DuPont Performance Coatings is the sponsor of the session that will be held during the NACE and CARS co-located events at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas Nov. 5-8.
"When people think of Archie Manning, they think football,” said Mark Wagner, vice president of Refinish Americas, DuPont Performance Coatings. “But Manning’s appeal transcends his athletic achievements, and it’s with great pride that DuPont will sponsor him as this year’s keynote speaker.”
Many people have been inspired by Manning’s warm personality, drive and sense of humor. He was recently selected as one of 10 outstanding New Orleanians by the Family Service of Greater New Orleans and named Hornblower of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America. He currently serves in public relations and consulting capacities for several local, regional and national companies. For 25 years, he has hosted four Archie Manning Cystic Fibrosis benefit golf tournaments in Louisiana and Mississippi and is active in a variety of charitable and civic causes.
Prior to Manning’s keynote address, NACE 2008 Event Chairman Darrell Amberson and CARS 2008 Event Chairman Aaron Clements will share their views, comments and direction of the state of today’s industry from both a collision and mechanical perspective.
The online housing system is live and open at www.NACEexpo.com and www.CARSevent.com. Hanley Wood Housing will assist attendees and exhibitors with all hotel, airline and car rentals.
The NACE and CARS hotel block includes the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur Hotel & Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel & Casino, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino and the all-new Hooters Hotel Casino.
Online registration will open in early June, and the printed attendee brochures will be distributed in mid- to late July.
NACE – the world’s collision repair event – annually draws an estimated 25,000-plus industry professionals from around the globe, featuring a comprehensive educational conference and exposition of 450-plus exhibiting companies. To exhibit at NACE 2008, call (888) 529-1641 or (972) 536-6444. For more NACE information, visit the NACE Web site at www.NACEexpo.com.
