PRO Sets Sights on NovemberFest Reception, TSTC 2012

By Ellen McKoy

	The annual Technical Skills & Training Conference provides training for specialty-equipment installers and business owners to enhance technical skills and provide additional revenue streams. The 2012 TSTC will be held at the Northwood University campus in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, March 16.

There is no better place to kick off your SEMA Show week in Las Vegas than at the third annual NovemberFest awards reception on Tuesday evening, November 1. The event—open to all council members and guests who’d like to learn more about the Professional Restylers Organization (PRO)—will be held at the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom B, 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

The festivities include a salute to recipients of the prestigious PRO awards: Restyler of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Nat Danas Person of the Year and the Jim Borré Lifetime Achievement honoree. To R.S.V.P., visit the PRO webpages or stop by PRO booth #12461 located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) to pick up free tickets on-site.

Also watch council members transform a Ford Transit Connect in a daily series of interactive installation demos at the PRO booth, and catch the looping video spotlighting the benefits of council membership. PRO Select Committee members will be in the booth throughout the week.

Over the years, Showgoers also have come to expect a full slate of high-powered seminars. Among those of particular interest to PRO members this year are council-sponsored sessions. First up is “Reading the Customer,” presented by Dick Dixon of Cal State University San Bernardino from 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. on Tuesday in Room N258 at the LVCC. On Wednesday, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m., Dan Hall of the research firm AutoPacific will present “New-Car Buyers’ Aftermarket Intentions” in Room N255.

Also on Wednesday is the annual Dealer Day program, slated for 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at the LVCC. Open exclusively to auto dealership principals and managers, the restyler-centric session is co-hosted by PRO and the National Independent Auto Dealers Association. Program highlights include PRO-member presenters who will offer tips and tactics on how to partner with the right installer to create a successful accessory program. Also on tap: a panel discussion featuring a group of auto enthusiasts and a restyler-led vehicle walk-around profiling accessory options and benefits.

A general membership meeting open to all PRO members caps PRO’s activities. The early-bird meeting on Thursday will take place at the LVCC from 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. and includes a continental breakfast. “It’s a great opportunity to offer input and have a voice on issues that impact our industry,” said Eldon Bracken, PRO chairman.

For more information on the PRO meeting, e-mail SEMA Council Director Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.

TSTC 2012 Heads to Northwood University

	The third annual NovemberFest awards reception will be held in conjunction with the SEMA Show. The event will take place on November 1 in the Las Vegas Hilton, Ballroom B, from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m., and is open to all council members and guests who’d like to learn more about the Professional Restylers Organization.

Mark your calendars! The third annual Technical Skills & Training Conference is heading to the Sunshine State, where it will be held at the Northwood University campus in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday, March 16, 2012.

“We’re excited by the prospect of partnering with Northwood University in 2012,” said Brian Champa, TSTC task force chairman. “Northwood has a long history of educating students pursuing careers in the automotive industry, and we are fortunate to have both the university’s support and access to its outstanding facilities to present next year’s event.”

PRO launched TSTC in 2010. Through the active participation and support of PRO-member manufacturers, TSTC provides technical and classroom training for specialty-
equipment installers and business owners to enhance technical skills and provide additional revenue streams for small businesses.

PRO members interested in joining the TSTC task force to help plan and promote the event are invited to e-mail Brian Champa at bchampa@checkcorp.com. For information on manufacturer participation, contact SEMA Council Director Zane Clark at zanec@sema.org.