For the second year,the auto glass industry's biggest associations have come together to sponsor Auto Glass Week.Today as the event opened in Louisville,Ky.,representatives of the Auto Glass Safety Council(AGSC,formerly AGRSS),Independent's Glass Association(IGA),National Windshield Repair Association(NWRA)and National Glass Association,as well as AGRR magazine,met to provide an overview of the associations'work over the last year and takeaways for the 2012 event.
Debra Levy,publisher of AGRR magazine,first took the mic to welcome the packed room and formally dedicate the week to industry innovator Ray Asberry of Equalizer Industries,who passed away in September 2011.A film tribute to Asberry garnered plentiful applause,as did Asberry's son Eric Asberry,who thanked show organizers for the dedication.
David Rohlfing,vice president of AGSC,invited attendees to talk to their colleagues at the show to learn more about how the AGSC certification program and the council's auto glass technician certification program are helping with its goal"to have every installation done correctly and safely in the United States."
Next,Rick Rosar of IGA shared the association's goal of education for the industry,at the event and beyond,and the solutions it makes available for small businesses.He also outlined member benefits such as their"Report a Part"web tool for recording problem parts and forthcoming national warranty program.
For NGA,David Walker noted that despite the sale of its auto glass certification program to AGSC,the group still treats it as if its own.He added,"In 2013 we'll be rolling out a new look to some of our auto glass training."
Rich Campfield spoke for NWRA on the services it provides to improve the offering of windshield repair as a"first offering."He noted that the group has already been hard at work this week,having met yesterday to further develop a standard for architectural flat glass scratch removal.
Each group will be represented in the Auto Glass Week Exhibition/Extravaganza taking place September 21-22.
In addition,the sponsors took this opportunity to announce dates for next year's event,scheduled for September 18-20 at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa,Fla.
Auto Glass Week 2012 continues through Saturday,September 22,with more educational seminars,the opening of the Exhibition/Extravaganza and the Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Olympics and the Walt Gorman Memorial Windshield Repair Olympics.Stay tuned to glassBYTEs.com™for updates straight from the show.
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