Repair Round-Up
on-the-job tips

New Time, New Location
By Mike Boyle

As you may have already heard, the National Windshield Repair Association’s (NWRA) 2010 Annual Conference will be held May 20-22, 2010, and will provide the perfect venue for windshield repair technicians to obtain the information and education necessary for a strong business—especially in these tough economic times. Moreover, the NWRA is joining forces with the Independent Glass Association (IGA) and the National Glass Association (NGA) for one co-located spring event. Both the IGA and NWRA will host their annual conferences there—two educational conferences with an expansive exposition—while the NGA will host its auto glass-related committee meetings there as well. These will be the only auto glass events for all three groups in 2010.

A Hot Spot
Also, this year, the NWRA 2010 conference moves to a new, lush (though reasonably priced) location: the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort and Spa in Fort Myers, Fla. This new destination provides a world-class backdrop with all of the accommodations you’ve come to expect for a comfortable stay, allowing you to focus on your windshield repair education, while also basking in the warm Florida sun.

At this year’s meeting, the NWRA will expand our auto glass industry green commitment and present tried and true marketing and repair tips.

The annual conference will also once again involve major industry players—both industry supplier and retailers will be present—so come prepared to learn how to not only help further your business, but also to make important industry contacts.

The NWRA also will be presenting an hour-long certification training course. Following the training course, attendees may elect to take the written certification examination (additional fee applies), as well have the ability to satisfy the practical portion of the program, by performing an on-site repair before an NWRA practical assessment administrator.

After Hours
Optional events include a dinner cruise aboard a regal 100-foot private luxury yacht, as well a tour of LYNX Services’ main call center (pre-registration required for both). Tour participants will have the opportunity to see the inner workings of one of this industry’s claims administrators.

(As a bonus, those who attend the 2010 NWRA Conference also can register for the IGA Conference at a discounted rate.)

The 2010 conference is all about the windshield repair technician, and what the NWRA—and its parent organization, the Global Glass Conservation Alliance (GGCA)—can do to assist technicians, by advising them on how to increase their business profitability, as well how to further the message of repair as the first (and most environmentally friendly) option.

As you can see, this year’s conference continues the NWRA’s mission: to change the world one repair at a time.

To read more about the NWRA 2010 Annual Conference, as well to register online, please visit www.nwrassn.org.

I hope to see you in Florida.

Schedule at a Glance
Show schedule is subject to change. Please visit our website, www.nwrassn.org, for show updates.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Registration Open
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Conference Opening Cocktail Party/Dinner Cruise*
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday, May 21, 2010
Registration Open
7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Educational Seminar Program
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Spring Auto Glass Show™
3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Cocktail Party on Show Floor
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 22, 2010
Registration Open
7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Joint NWRA/IGA Breakfast
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Educational Seminar Program
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Spring Auto Glass Show™
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

*Additional fee applies and pre-registration is required. For more information, please call 540/720-7484 or visit us online at www.nwrassn.org.

Mike Boyle is the president of the NWRA. He also serves as president of Glass Mechanix in Bend, Ore. His opinions are solely his own and not necessarily those of this magazine.

AGRR
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