Spring Auto Glass Show - July/August 2000

July/August 2000

The National Auto Glass Conference Heads to
Palm Springs, Offering Four Days of Seminars and Exhibits Set in
Too-Good-To-Be-True Surroundings.

The 2000 National Auto Glass Conference, sponsored by the National Glass Association, will be held September13-16 at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, Calif. The City of La Quinta sits in the Coachella Valley at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Billed as “The Gem of the Coachella Valley,” La Quinta is 30 minutes south of Palm Springs and offers gorgeous scenery, warm weather, and easy access to all the area has to offer.

The conference opens on Wednesday, September 13 with a golf tournament and luncheon, followed by the opening session at 4 p.m. led by keynote speaker Peter Schutz, retired chief executive officer of Porsche AG Worldwide.

Thursday’s session begins with a 9 a.m. seminar, “Glass Shops in America,” led by Carl Tompkins of Sika Corporation.

The afternoon session begins with a panel discussion of legislative events affecting the industry, including past, present and future issues. Next, a second discussion and seminar headlined “News From the Front Lines!” will be moderated by Donald Day of Texas Glass & Tinting, and will address two of the most prominent topics facing the auto glass industry. First, attorney Michael B. Hyman speaks on the installation of imitation crash parts and reviews evidence from last year’s State Farm lawsuit. Then attorney Chuck Lloyd will offer practical strategies to help shops deal with such practices as short payments from insurers.

Friday morning begins with Bob Ayrer of REA Performance Consu-ltants addressing conference attendees on “Selling Value in a Price World.” The second morning session, also led by Ayrer, titled “Managing for Profit,” builds on his earlier seminar. Glen Moses of Safelite Corporation leads the final morning seminar, “State of the Art Auto Glass,” which presents pointers and suggestions for handling installation of new design features.

Wrapping up the conference, Saturday’s early morning sessions begins with “How Computers Can Enhance Your Business,” led by Ed Fennell, followed “The Days Following the 20/20 Exposé,” led by Mitch Becker.

In addition, the Auto Glass Expo, featuring more than 50 exhibitors, will take place both Thursday and Friday evenings, from 4-7 p.m.

For what to do in between the expo and the seminars, check out the below panel for a list of activities and adventures, such as hot air ballooning and site-seeing, in this scenic area.

Things to do while in the LaQuinta/Palm Springs area

For the Adventurous

Hot Air Balloon Rides – fly above the valley for breathtaking views.
Aerial Tramway – newly re-opened with the world’s largest rotating tram cars ascending over 5,000 feet.

For the Nature Lover

Living Desert – 1,200 acres of trails and exhibits featuring animals and botanical gardens
Joshua Tree National Park – 794,000 acres spanning the area between Southern California’s Mojave and Colorado deserts.

For the Cultural Enthusiast

Palm Springs Desert Museum – Featuring art galleries, natural science galleries and the Annenberg Theater.

For the Starry-Eyed

Palm Canyon Drive – Lined with art galleries, shops and restaurants through the heart of Palm Springs.
Palm Springs Walk of Stars – Like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Palm Canyon Drive features the stars of celebrities.

Other Attractions

Desert Holocaust Memorial
El Paseo Shopping District
Haldey Fruit Orchard
Indian Canyon
Palm Canyon Theatre
Palm Springs Air Museum
Palm Springs Follies
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
Spa Hotel and Casino
Golf courses

Average daily temperatures
for September:

Maximum: 102
Minimum: 67
For more information on attractions in the Palm Springs area, visit www.palmsprings.com on the Web.

Spring Auto Glass Expo,™ NWRA Conference Will be
Part of Great Glass Gathering™ in Las Vegas

The auto glass and window film industries can find their opportunity for education at Spring Glass Expo, taking place February 4-6, 2001 at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Expo will be held simultaneously with three other events – the National Windshield Repair Conference, the Spring Auto Glass Replacement Conference and the International Window Film Conference, making the experience truly a Great Glass Gathering.

Each event offers seminars, demonstrations and exhibits of exciting new products specific to its industry. Great features, guest speakers, and even a version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in the Auto Glass Industry” are planned, along with a few surprises. The three-day event is co-sponsored by the National Windshield Repair Association, the International Window Film Association, and window film and AGRR magazines. For more information, contact event management at 540/720-5584, fax: 540/720-5687 or e-mail vegas@glass.com.

AGRR