Sunny days are here again! Amidst the cold, dreary weather that most of us will be experiencing come the start of December (especially here in Northeastern Ohio … brrr!), the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) offers a chance to shed our winter parkas and dig out the sunscreen as it heads to sunny Orlando, Fla.

Held Thursday, Dec.7, through Sunday, Dec. 10, NACE is the largest collision repair event in the world – attracting more than 30,000 attendees from around the globe.

This year, show management has assembled an expanded schedule of educational seminars and other events covering a variety of management, technical, lifestyle and industry topics. And for the first time, seminars will begin Thursday morning.

“These additions will give attendees more choices, as well as more flexibility as they develop their NACE itinerary,” says Dana Bellantone, NACE show director. “By offering seminars on Thursday morning, we’re freeing up more time for attendees to visit the NACE exposition, which starts the following day.”

On the show floor, more than 600 companies will be on exhibit so you can see and learn about the latest products, equipment and services available.

Host to more than just NACE, Orlando is – as most people already know – the place for family fun. But in addition to the entire Disney empire, Orlando boasts dozens of golf courses, world-class restaurants and exciting nightlife. So if you’re too busy attending seminars and scouting the show floor that you don’t have time to mouse around, you’ll still enjoy yourself the after the show closes.

Congress Seminars Industry

• Women in the lndustry: They Make It Happen – Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Women in the collision repair industry face unique obstacles and opportunities. Join this interactive session to share techniques and processes that work for your business. Learn how women are driving their businesses to success.
• Recycled Parts: Update 2000 – Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The collision repair industry is seeing an increased demand from insurers and customers to repair with used/recycled parts. Join this session’s group of knowledgeable experts as they explore how used/recycled parts are impacting the industry.
• Trends for the 21st Century – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This session will look into the crystal ball of some of the most influential executives in our industry. Learn what changes are likely to occur and what you can do to prepare for them.
• Standard Operating Procedures Are No Longer Standard – Thursday, Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn how to monitor the impact and effectiveness of standard operating procedures (SOP) and explore how to address the value of training, auditing and compensation as drivers of SOP compliance. You’ll also learn to identify operating areas that benefit most from SOP.
• Estimating: How Much Are You Giving Away? – Friday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This session will show you which processes are often overlooked, miscalculated or not included in claims. You’ll also discuss ways to recover those expenditures and how to convince customers and insurance companies that the work you perform is necessary.
• Consolidation: An lndependent’s Best Friend – Friday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This session will feature different viewpoints on consolidation and how consolidation has changed our industry. Learn what changes are likely to occur and what impact they’ll have on you financially and professionally.
• The Real Truths About Aftermarket Parts – Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. This session places aftermarket parts issues in the spotlight. Should there be an option to use aftermarket or OE parts? Discover what effect not having that option will have on the collision repair industry. You’ll also hear about the regulations regarding the use of aftermarket parts and new laws being lobbied for and enacted.
• Thriving in a DRP Environment When You’re Not a DRP Shop – Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. You can survive and thrive in a DRP environment with the right tools. In this session, you’ll discover leading phrases that work. Keeping the customer informed is your best defense.
• Paint Conditions: Causes and Solutions – Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Explore the possible dangers in your shop when dealing with paint conditions. Identify paint defects commonly found today and discover non-destructive methods to repair them.

Management

• Cycle Time: Mastering It May Be a Key to Your Survival – Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Friday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Successful collision repair shops understand the direct link between productivity and profitability. In this session, you’ll explore new ways to increase production flow, streamline scheduling and improve quality.
• e-Business: Defining the Supply Chain – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. How can the Internet add speed and other efficiencies to the process? Are there disadvantages to e-business? Examine workflow from the time of the collision, to the completion of repair, through processing of payment and measurement of customer satisfaction.
• Staffing for Success – Thursday, Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Discover innovative ways to attract and retain skilled, productive employees. Learn how to develop new talent through apprenticeship programs, and hear about creative training ideas, innovative compensation plans and employee benefits that boost morale.
• Shop Profitability: If You’re Doing as Well as You Were Last Year, You Could Be Losing Ground – Friday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This session will examine how to identify actions that focus on profitability and maximizing your potential by managing what’s important in a saturated environment.
• Get Online … or Be Left Behind – Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. If you’re not online, this course will get you started. If you are online, this course will bring you up-to-date on the most recent e-commerce strategies available to improve your business.
• Organize Your Shop: From Paper to Product – Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. This session will provide tips on how to organize your shop and help you find time you never realized you had. Discover how to set goals and develop a plan to achieve them. You’ll gain insight into how organization and goal-setting can improve your business and your life.
• Marketing Your Shop: When and How? – Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The presenter will discuss the latest advances in today’s technology-driven marketplace and share the components necessary to create a successful marketing plan that will work for you.
• Claims Handling: Creative Strategies – Saturday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This session will give you solutions to efficiently organizing and managing your shop’s paperwork flow. You’ll hear recommendations on managing the handling of claims, audits and other paperwork.

Three-Hour Workshops:

• Managing Margins in a Competitive Environment – Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. This workshop will look at the factors you can influence and control within your company to help you make a profit. Learn how to measure both cost and profits, and understand industry standards for profitability.
• Negotiation Workshop: Get What You Want and Deserve – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The presenters will describe and demonstrate negotiation principles and techniques that you can use to get what you want, need and deserve. Participants will learn to use techniques such as competition, expertise and higher authority to influence their success and also participate in mini-negotiations to practice and enhance their skills in a no-risk environment.
• Eye on Performance: Max Process, Measure, Break Point – Thursday, Dec. 7, 11:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Discover methods for measuring operational performance, analyzing and implementing the data, motivating people to their peak performance and determining the potential of your business.

Lifestyle

• How to Remember What You Hear – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. This training will teach you how to quickly and easily recall anything you hear and want to keep. Learn how to recall a daily list of things to do without writing it down. Discover your hidden photographic memory and learn how to remember key points of a conversation and actions.
• How to Remember “What’s His Name” – Thursday, Dec 7, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn how to see a person’s face, hear their name and make the name stick. Discuss specific techniques on how to recall names at conventions and conferences, and understand how the memory stores information.

Three-Hour Workshop:

• The Priority Shuffle – Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In this session, you’ll identify the most important questions to continually ask yourself, recognize the differences between proactive vs. reactive and discover communication and personality styles to create a proactive environment.

Technical

• Detailing: Clean It Up, It’s Your Reputation! – Thursday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Friday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Learn how to improve your finished product – which will also improve customer satisfaction – how to identify and solve paint-related defects and ways to prevent comebacks related to swirls.
• Paint Training: Where We Were, Where We Are, Where We’re Going – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This panel of automobile and paint manufacturers will clarify today’s advanced training requirements and the future of our industry.
• Causes and Solutions for Compressed Air Contamination – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Learn what product types exist that will minimize or eliminate contamination and what the criteria is for these products. Explore how system design affects contamination and pressure drop.



• Airbags: Don’t Let Them Blow Up In Your Face! – Thursday, Dec 7, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. During this session, you’ll hear discussions on the various styles, models and locations of sensors.
• What Every Technician Should Know: Adhesive Bonding – Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. This session will provide information on adhesive bonding in vehicle manufacturing and repair situations. You’ll review the various types of adhesive available and the different procedures required.
• What Every Technician Should Know: Basic Electrical – Saturday, Dec. 9, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This session will cover terminology, systems and the basic knowledge required to successfully diagnose and repair on-board vehicle electronics.
• Everything You Need to Know About Paint Booths, but Didn’t Think to Ask – Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. This session will cover maintenance schedule, filters, booth coatings, burners, lighting, paint mix room, theory and operation.
• What Every Technician Should Know: Advanced Electrical Diagnosis – Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. This session will cover recent changes in electrical systems and the indepth knowledge required to successfully diagnose and repair on-board vehicle electronics.

International

• International Issues in Collision Repair – Sunday, Dec. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. In this panel session, hear how collision repair professionals worldwide service their customers, work with insurance representatives and manage their employees.

Entertainment

• Opening Party at Disney’s MGM Studios – Thursday, Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Experience the magic of this movie-stuido theme park during NACE’s private party.
• Saturday Night Beach Party – Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. After a busy day of education and exhibit booth hopping, have fun, fun, fun with the Beach Boys.

Keynotes

• Friday Morning Keynote

FutureView(r): A Look Ahead – Friday, Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Daniel Burrus, one of the world’s leading technology forecasters, will provide insight into present and future technological advances. He’ll also share information that will enable you to positively influence your future and integrate strategies for effectively shaping your future.

• Saturday Keynote Luncheon

Collision Repair vs. The Insurers – Saturday, Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Brian Sullivan – president and editor of Risk Information, Inc., a publishing and seminar company focused on the property and casualty insurance industry – will discuss insurance-industry related issues that affect all collision repairers.

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Writer Melissa McGee is managing editor of BodyShop Business.

Welcome to NACE 2000 The exposition and seminars will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Seminars begin Thursday, Dec. 7. The exposition is open Friday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free shuttle bus service begins the morning of Thursday, Dec. 7 and runs through Sunday, Dec. 10. The buses shuttle attendees to and from selected area hotels and the convention center. Orlando’s climate in December is in the low 70s to mid 80s during the day and in the low 50s to mid 60s during the evening. Visit www.NACEexpo.com for direct links to Orlando area Web sites and to download an order form for discount attraction tickets.

Congress Registration As always, you can register for a Full Congress Package – which includes one ticket to each of the seven Congress Session time slots, the Thursday Opening Party at Disney’s MGM Studios, the Friday Morning Keynote Address, the Saturday Keynote Luncheon, the Saturday Night Beach Party and the NACE 2000 Congress Briefcase, as well as a commemorative pin. For the first time, you can also purchase tickets to individual Congress Sessions and entertainment options for $45 each. For more information or to register online, visit (www.NACEexpo.com).

Automotive Management Institute Courses Selling & Servicing Collision Center Customers – Thursday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Aggressive Business-Building Marketing Strategies – Thursday, Dec. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Understanding Motivation – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. How to Get ‘Em in the Door … and Coming Back for More – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Profiting from People Skills – Saturday, Dec. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. As Professional As You Can Be – Saturday, Dec. 9, 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Turn Your Employees Into Superstars – Saturday, Dec. 9, 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Each AMI workshop is $65 per person. Completion of each course earns participants six credits toward the institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation.

Spouse/Guest Program Thursday, Dec. 7: Women in the Industry: They Make it Happen – 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. How to Remember What You Hear – 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. How to Remember “What’s His Name” – 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Individual tickets to Thursday’s sessions are $45 per person.) Friday, Dec. 8: Kennedy Space Center Tour – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Winter Park Tour – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Individual tickets to Friday’s tours are $55 per adult and $45 per child.) Saturday, Dec. 9: The Priority Shuffle – 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Individual tickets to Saturday’s session are $45 per person.) The NACE 2000 Spouse/Guest Registration includes the Thursday Opening Party at Disney’s MGM Studios, the above sessions on Thursday and Saturday, your choice of a tour on Friday, Saturday’s Keynote Luncheon and the Saturday Night Beach Party. Individual tickets may also be purchased to each of these events.

I-CAR Technical Training Air Conditioning: Program 1 – Thursday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Welding and Cutting Steel: Program 4 – Thursday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday Dec. 7, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Damage Analysis: Program 2 – Thursday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Damage Analysis: Program 3 – Thursday, Dec. 7, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost for the Air Conditioning program is $120 per person; all other I-CAR technical programs are $60 per person.