The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will take place Wednesday, November 5, at the 2014 SEMA Show.

In early August, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced the launch of the first, issue-specific, collision repair industry forum being held at the SEMA Show. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will be held Wednesday, November 5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will explore how automotive design and technology intersect with repairability, and how developments in this area impact the collision repair process. Register at www.semashow.com/scrs.

In addition to panel discussions with technology experts representing the automakers, certified repair facilities, equipment suppliers and certifiers/auditors, the program will feature special presentations from subject-matter experts on automotive materials.

SCRS has announced that Doug Richman, technical committee chairman of the Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG), will offer insight into the role aluminum will play in collision repair businesses now and in the future.

"The ATG is eager to share with SCRS session attendees key insights on aluminum's long history in the automotive industry," Richman said. "Aluminum-intensive vehicles have been in the marketplace for many decades and are regularly repaired as needed. Within the next 10 years, seven out of 10 new pickups produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a recently released survey of automakers conducted by Ducker Worldwide. As aluminum use in auto bodies grows exponentially in the next decade, we applaud the SCRS' efforts to educate and train repair professionals to be better prepared for the change in status-quo materials that come through their shop doors."

Richman will deliver visibility into the technological advancements being made in the aluminum industry relative to the automotive market, and an overview of how their market is developing as a result of increased integration into our modern fleet. He will share reasons behind the automakers interest in and use of aluminum, and what their industry is doing to aid in the development of that relationship.

For more information about SCRS' Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, and to register for the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit and other RDE sessions, visit www.semashow.com/scrs.

	The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will take place Wednesday, November 5, at the 2014 SEMA Show.

In early August, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced the launch of the first, issue-specific, collision repair industry forum being held at the SEMA Show. The OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will be held Wednesday, November 5, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will explore how automotive design and technology intersect with repairability, and how developments in this area impact the collision repair process. Register at www.semashow.com/scrs.

In addition to panel discussions with technology experts representing the automakers, certified repair facilities, equipment suppliers and certifiers/auditors, the program will feature special presentations from subject-matter experts on automotive materials.

SCRS has announced that Doug Richman, technical committee chairman of the Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG), will offer insight into the role aluminum will play in collision repair businesses now and in the future.

"The ATG is eager to share with SCRS session attendees key insights on aluminum's long history in the automotive industry," Richman said. "Aluminum-intensive vehicles have been in the marketplace for many decades and are regularly repaired as needed. Within the next 10 years, seven out of 10 new pickups produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a recently released survey of automakers conducted by Ducker Worldwide. As aluminum use in auto bodies grows exponentially in the next decade, we applaud the SCRS' efforts to educate and train repair professionals to be better prepared for the change in status-quo materials that come through their shop doors."

Richman will deliver visibility into the technological advancements being made in the aluminum industry relative to the automotive market, and an overview of how their market is developing as a result of increased integration into our modern fleet. He will share reasons behind the automakers interest in and use of aluminum, and what their industry is doing to aid in the development of that relationship.

For more information about SCRS' Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, and to register for the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit and other RDE sessions, visit www.semashow.com/scrs.

By Michael Hart

	The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce.

Exhibitors at the 2014 SEMA Show this year will have a rare chance to meet some of the future leaders of the automotive industry, introduce those young people to their particular businesses and maybe even get a little help in the exhibit booth.

The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce. The students who are chosen for the program represent some of the best and the brightest preparing themselves for an industry future.

Exhibiting companies are invited and encouraged to host a student volunteer during the 2014 SEMA Show. Those who choose to participate will be matched with a student who will spend some quality time with the exhibiting company’s representatives in their booth.

“The extra help was great to have, and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge about our company and the tire industry with our future generation,” said John B. Robinson of Continental Tire, who hosted a student at last year’s Show.

This is your chance to meet students who are anxious to go to work in the industry you care so much about, give them an “inside” look at what your company and business are all about, encourage and answer any questions they might have and maybe even identify somebody who could be one of your most promising future employees.

“We have always felt that this program is a very sound ‘good citizen’ effort and, as such, are always pleased to participate,” said Mike Kovacs of Edelbrock.

Program participants must be full-time students at the sophomore level or higher, enrolled in a university, college or vocational educational program, and preparing for a career in the automotive industry. Students must undergo an application and review process for the program and all students are responsible for their own expenses during the Show.

Whenever possible, every effort will be made to assign students to companies that closely correspond to their career interests.

“The students who I worked with personally were professional and interested in our products,” said Amy Faulk of Hypertech. “It was a great experience having them in our booth to work with customers and our products.”

SEMA Show exhibitors can register to host a student volunteer for the 2014 SEMA Show online: Student Volunteer Program. The deadline is Friday, September 26. If you have questions about the program or your participation, contact SEMA Education Manager Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of 2014 SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

By Michael Hart

	The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce.

Exhibitors at the 2014 SEMA Show this year will have a rare chance to meet some of the future leaders of the automotive industry, introduce those young people to their particular businesses and maybe even get a little help in the exhibit booth.

The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce. The students who are chosen for the program represent some of the best and the brightest preparing themselves for an industry future.

Exhibiting companies are invited and encouraged to host a student volunteer during the 2014 SEMA Show. Those who choose to participate will be matched with a student who will spend some quality time with the exhibiting company’s representatives in their booth.

“The extra help was great to have, and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge about our company and the tire industry with our future generation,” said John B. Robinson of Continental Tire, who hosted a student at last year’s Show.

This is your chance to meet students who are anxious to go to work in the industry you care so much about, give them an “inside” look at what your company and business are all about, encourage and answer any questions they might have and maybe even identify somebody who could be one of your most promising future employees.

“We have always felt that this program is a very sound ‘good citizen’ effort and, as such, are always pleased to participate,” said Mike Kovacs of Edelbrock.

Program participants must be full-time students at the sophomore level or higher, enrolled in a university, college or vocational educational program, and preparing for a career in the automotive industry. Students must undergo an application and review process for the program and all students are responsible for their own expenses during the Show.

Whenever possible, every effort will be made to assign students to companies that closely correspond to their career interests.

“The students who I worked with personally were professional and interested in our products,” said Amy Faulk of Hypertech. “It was a great experience having them in our booth to work with customers and our products.”

SEMA Show exhibitors can register to host a student volunteer for the 2014 SEMA Show online: Student Volunteer Program. The deadline is Friday, September 26. If you have questions about the program or your participation, contact SEMA Education Manager Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of 2014 SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

By Michael Hart

	The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce.

Exhibitors at the 2014 SEMA Show this year will have a rare chance to meet some of the future leaders of the automotive industry, introduce those young people to their particular businesses and maybe even get a little help in the exhibit booth.

The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce. The students who are chosen for the program represent some of the best and the brightest preparing themselves for an industry future.

Exhibiting companies are invited and encouraged to host a student volunteer during the 2014 SEMA Show. Those who choose to participate will be matched with a student who will spend some quality time with the exhibiting company’s representatives in their booth.

“The extra help was great to have, and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge about our company and the tire industry with our future generation,” said John B. Robinson of Continental Tire, who hosted a student at last year’s Show.

This is your chance to meet students who are anxious to go to work in the industry you care so much about, give them an “inside” look at what your company and business are all about, encourage and answer any questions they might have and maybe even identify somebody who could be one of your most promising future employees.

“We have always felt that this program is a very sound ‘good citizen’ effort and, as such, are always pleased to participate,” said Mike Kovacs of Edelbrock.

Program participants must be full-time students at the sophomore level or higher, enrolled in a university, college or vocational educational program, and preparing for a career in the automotive industry. Students must undergo an application and review process for the program and all students are responsible for their own expenses during the Show.

Whenever possible, every effort will be made to assign students to companies that closely correspond to their career interests.

“The students who I worked with personally were professional and interested in our products,” said Amy Faulk of Hypertech. “It was a great experience having them in our booth to work with customers and our products.”

SEMA Show exhibitors can register to host a student volunteer for the 2014 SEMA Show online: Student Volunteer Program. The deadline is Friday, September 26. If you have questions about the program or your participation, contact SEMA Education Manager Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of 2014 SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

By Michael Hart

	The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce.

Exhibitors at the 2014 SEMA Show this year will have a rare chance to meet some of the future leaders of the automotive industry, introduce those young people to their particular businesses and maybe even get a little help in the exhibit booth.

The SEMA Show Student Volunteer Program is an opportunity for exhibitors to interact with the aftermarket industry’s future workforce. The students who are chosen for the program represent some of the best and the brightest preparing themselves for an industry future.

Exhibiting companies are invited and encouraged to host a student volunteer during the 2014 SEMA Show. Those who choose to participate will be matched with a student who will spend some quality time with the exhibiting company’s representatives in their booth.

“The extra help was great to have, and I enjoyed sharing my knowledge about our company and the tire industry with our future generation,” said John B. Robinson of Continental Tire, who hosted a student at last year’s Show.

This is your chance to meet students who are anxious to go to work in the industry you care so much about, give them an “inside” look at what your company and business are all about, encourage and answer any questions they might have and maybe even identify somebody who could be one of your most promising future employees.

“We have always felt that this program is a very sound ‘good citizen’ effort and, as such, are always pleased to participate,” said Mike Kovacs of Edelbrock.

Program participants must be full-time students at the sophomore level or higher, enrolled in a university, college or vocational educational program, and preparing for a career in the automotive industry. Students must undergo an application and review process for the program and all students are responsible for their own expenses during the Show.

Whenever possible, every effort will be made to assign students to companies that closely correspond to their career interests.

“The students who I worked with personally were professional and interested in our products,” said Amy Faulk of Hypertech. “It was a great experience having them in our booth to work with customers and our products.”

SEMA Show exhibitors can register to host a student volunteer for the 2014 SEMA Show online: Student Volunteer Program. The deadline is Friday, September 26. If you have questions about the program or your participation, contact SEMA Education Manager Juliet Marshall at 909-978-6655 or julietm@sema.org.

SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of 2014 SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.

By Michael Hart

	Nancy Friedman, the "Telephone Doctor."

Nancy Friedman, the "Telephone Doctor" and a crowd favorite at the SEMA Show, will offer her session, “Have You Asked Your Customer to Marry You? (Are You Really Engaged?),” twice during SEMA Education Days. Friedman spoke with SEMA about what attendees can expect from her sessions.

SEMA: What is a Telephone Doctor?

Nancy Friedman: I got that name from a newspaper editor in Davenport, Iowa, who said, “You’re the doctor. You’ve got the prescription for everything.” We know more business is lost to poor customer service and poor treatment than to poor products, and it’s usually done on the phone. There are people in businesses whose job is to answer the phone and have more of a service mentality than a sales mentality, and that’s so wrong.

SEMA: What is the right thing for a business to do after the phone rings?

Friedman: There are many lead generators around the country who can tell you how to make the phone ring. That’s great, but what happens when it does ring? The phone can ring, but turning it into a sale is what matters. Companies hire people to pick up the phone when it rings, but often they get screwed up and lost when somebody answers.

SEMA: What’s the biggest telephone mistake businesses make?

Friedman: We’re just not friendly enough. Companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to make that phone ring and, if it’s not handled just right, all that money is wasted. We answer that phone and we’re in a bad mood. We let it ring too long. We answer the phone improperly or without a name. You get less than 30 seconds to build that rapport.

SEMA: Your session includes something called “Poor Man’s Jeopardy.” What’s that?

Friedman: If you watch “Jeopardy,” you know there’s a big board with bells and whistles. We don’t have the budget for all the bells and whistles and the big board. Instead, I bring a bag, and the bag has golden nuggets, little pieces of information. I go through the audience. They get to pick out a nugget and the nugget may say “irate caller.” It might say “closing skills” or “telephone greeting” or “voice mail phrases.” They get to pick a nugget and each nugget could represent one hour of information. However, we have scaled it down to two or three minutes. By the end of the hour, we will have covered 15 to 20 golden nuggets of sales and service.

SEMA Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. The complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and educational events is available at www.SEMAShow.com/education.

By Michael Hart

	Nancy Friedman, the "Telephone Doctor."

Nancy Friedman, the "Telephone Doctor" and a crowd favorite at the SEMA Show, will offer her session, “Have You Asked Your Customer to Marry You? (Are You Really Engaged?),” twice during SEMA Education Days. Friedman spoke with SEMA about what attendees can expect from her sessions.

SEMA: What is a Telephone Doctor?

Nancy Friedman: I got that name from a newspaper editor in Davenport, Iowa, who said, “You’re the doctor. You’ve got the prescription for everything.” We know more business is lost to poor customer service and poor treatment than to poor products, and it’s usually done on the phone. There are people in businesses whose job is to answer the phone and have more of a service mentality than a sales mentality, and that’s so wrong.

SEMA: What is the right thing for a business to do after the phone rings?

Friedman: There are many lead generators around the country who can tell you how to make the phone ring. That’s great, but what happens when it does ring? The phone can ring, but turning it into a sale is what matters. Companies hire people to pick up the phone when it rings, but often they get screwed up and lost when somebody answers.

SEMA: What’s the biggest telephone mistake businesses make?

Friedman: We’re just not friendly enough. Companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to make that phone ring and, if it’s not handled just right, all that money is wasted. We answer that phone and we’re in a bad mood. We let it ring too long. We answer the phone improperly or without a name. You get less than 30 seconds to build that rapport.

SEMA: Your session includes something called “Poor Man’s Jeopardy.” What’s that?

Friedman: If you watch “Jeopardy,” you know there’s a big board with bells and whistles. We don’t have the budget for all the bells and whistles and the big board. Instead, I bring a bag, and the bag has golden nuggets, little pieces of information. I go through the audience. They get to pick out a nugget and the nugget may say “irate caller.” It might say “closing skills” or “telephone greeting” or “voice mail phrases.” They get to pick a nugget and each nugget could represent one hour of information. However, we have scaled it down to two or three minutes. By the end of the hour, we will have covered 15 to 20 golden nuggets of sales and service.

SEMA Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. The complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and educational events is available at www.SEMAShow.com/education.

By Michael Hart

	Nancy Friedman, the "Telephone Doctor."

Nancy Friedman, the "Telephone Doctor" and a crowd favorite at the SEMA Show, will offer her session, “Have You Asked Your Customer to Marry You? (Are You Really Engaged?),” twice during SEMA Education Days. Friedman spoke with SEMA about what attendees can expect from her sessions.

SEMA: What is a Telephone Doctor?

Nancy Friedman: I got that name from a newspaper editor in Davenport, Iowa, who said, “You’re the doctor. You’ve got the prescription for everything.” We know more business is lost to poor customer service and poor treatment than to poor products, and it’s usually done on the phone. There are people in businesses whose job is to answer the phone and have more of a service mentality than a sales mentality, and that’s so wrong.

SEMA: What is the right thing for a business to do after the phone rings?

Friedman: There are many lead generators around the country who can tell you how to make the phone ring. That’s great, but what happens when it does ring? The phone can ring, but turning it into a sale is what matters. Companies hire people to pick up the phone when it rings, but often they get screwed up and lost when somebody answers.

SEMA: What’s the biggest telephone mistake businesses make?

Friedman: We’re just not friendly enough. Companies spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to make that phone ring and, if it’s not handled just right, all that money is wasted. We answer that phone and we’re in a bad mood. We let it ring too long. We answer the phone improperly or without a name. You get less than 30 seconds to build that rapport.

SEMA: Your session includes something called “Poor Man’s Jeopardy.” What’s that?

Friedman: If you watch “Jeopardy,” you know there’s a big board with bells and whistles. We don’t have the budget for all the bells and whistles and the big board. Instead, I bring a bag, and the bag has golden nuggets, little pieces of information. I go through the audience. They get to pick out a nugget and the nugget may say “irate caller.” It might say “closing skills” or “telephone greeting” or “voice mail phrases.” They get to pick a nugget and each nugget could represent one hour of information. However, we have scaled it down to two or three minutes. By the end of the hour, we will have covered 15 to 20 golden nuggets of sales and service.

SEMA Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. The complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and educational events is available at www.SEMAShow.com/education.

For association-related travel, contact Manya Petropaki (manya.p@travelstoreusa.com) at Travel Store USA, 949-930-9268.