LAS VEGAS (Oct. 29, 2007) – The Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) is at hand, ready to roll from Nov. 1 to 3, 2007. While some industry shows have larger attendances – comprised mostly of enthusiasts or members of the public drawn by the glitz and hype – for independent mechanical service and repair professionals, there is no event like CARS that delivers the meaningful exchange between buyers and suppliers dialoguing face-to-face, first class education and social networking that can truly drive a shop into the future.
"We're attendee-driven," explains Robbie Addison, the mechanical division manager for the Automotive Service Association (ASA). "Listening to and implementing the feedback of shop owners and technicians, as well as exhibitors, helps ASA develop a show that matters. For example, we've learned that attendees would like some time off to relax during the rush of Industry Week."
"CARS has begun to develop into a buying show over the past few years," she notes. "We want to expand on that because attendees and exhibitors at CARS have expressed a desire to have more exhibition time." In response, trade show hours have been lengthened this year. "It's important to understand that CARS puts buyers, not just enthusiasts, in front of our exhibitors."
Once aging this year, Addison says, exhibitor space for the trade show has sold out. "CARS keeps growing, and with trade show space selling out year after year, we need to find ways to continue to welcome more companies that provide the products and/or services used in their shops every day. These companies enable our attendees to have the competitive edge."
For shop owners and technicians, Addison says CARS continues to provide first-class educational opportunities. "We offer in-depth sessions, rather than the short, light fare seen elsewhere. We bring in the top instructors in the topics that matter to those who attend CARS." Full- and half-day sessions in 12 technical and four Automotive Management Institute (AMI) seminars essential for today's market anchor this year's event.
"The social networking opportunities that CARS empowers is unparalleled," Addison emphasizes. The interaction between mature and younger attendees is tremendous, she adds, be it impromptu conversations during the trade show, seminars, or even breaks and meals, or more serious discussions that lead to arrangements to talk, visit and build friendships after CARS is over. "It's a sharing of experiences and knowledge from the trenches with the cream of the industry."
"CARS offers something special for the independent service and repair professional," Addison sums up. "We can't compete with the quantity found at larger, enthusiast shows. Instead, we focus on the quality of the experiences our attendees gain by being here rather than elsewhere. That's what really matters."
(Source: Interview with Robbie Addison, ASA)
www.asashop.org
