The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) is offering three management seminars for 2006 that will take businesses and income to the “next level.” Each will emphasize the need for continuing education in the competitive automotive service industry and are approved by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). The topics of the management seminars vary and include increasing profit and productivity, new strategies and maintenance, and self-motivation and leadership. CARS 2006 will be held Nov. 2-4 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

            “As the premier mechanical repair event, CARS brings together owners, managers and technicians from across the country in a unique atmosphere of learning and networking. AMI is proud to be an integral part of quality educational programs to this audience,” said Toni Slaton, AAM, AMI executive director.

            AMI seminars offered at CARS 2006 include:

            • The Mathematic Realities of Numbers that Drive “Net” Income: Bob Greenwood, sponsored by AutoValue. This seminar introduces attendees to important numbers to watch that will directly impact their income. Attendees will learn how to control the growth of their business in a manageable way.

            • Selling Preventative Maintenance: Charlie Polston, sponsored by BG Products. Polston teaches attendees how to toss the old philosophy of “cars will break and we will fix them.” Attendees will learn how to sell maintenance services to their customers, increase shop productivity and dramatically impact the bottom line.

            • Experience the Power of Leadership: Kelly Bennett, AAM, sponsored by CARQUEST Auto Parts and WORLDPAC. With this course you can take your business to the next level. Students will learn how to create and design their vision; create a fully engaged team from existing employees; find the key ingredients for creating self-motivated employees; use the top seven ways of creating team chemistry; understand the five major dysfunctions of a team and what needs to be done to avoid them; and find the energy to keep yourself and your team motivated.

            In addition to management seminars, CARS will offer 12 technical courses, a legislative update by Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, and a keynote presentation by Tom Easton, who recognizes the challenges repair professionals face every day. W. Howard Lewis, AAM, owner of L&B Auto Repair in Snohomish, Wash., will be chairman of CARS 2006. Full details, including course descriptions and the complete CARS schedule, are available on the CARS Web site at www.CARSonline.org, or call Carol Dennis, CARS housing and registration specialist, at (800) 272-7467, ext. 220.

            Online registration for CARS will be open until Oct. 20 and is the most convenient way to register. ASA members and nonmembers who sign up for the full CARS registration package before the early-bird registration deadline Sept. 22 will save money. New this year, attendees may also register for single-day packages, allowing visitors of other Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) shows to experience CARS technical and management education on the day of their choice.