DALLAS, Texas — The 2007 Conference Program at the 25th annual International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) will debut the first-ever Women’s Professional Development (WPD) track, a specialized program that will feature four all-new sessions to further develop the skills and careers of women who are directly or indirectly involved in the collision repair and automotive service industries. The sessions have been reviewed and approved by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and earn participants credits toward the Institute’s Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation. The following courses are scheduled: • How to Communicate Like a Pro — Focused on the development of powerful spoken and written communication skills (Weds., Oct. 31 at 8:30 a.m.) • A Brand-New You … Assertiveness Skills that Lead to Success — Designed to develop women into strong, gutsy decision-makers and risk-takers (Weds., Oct. 31 at 1:30 p.m.) • Developing Your Own Road Map — Focused on self-improvement and achieving goals (Thurs., Nov. 1 at 4:00 p.m.) • Overcoming Obstacles — Featuring stress management techniques and empowerment skills (Fri., Nov. 2 at 4:00 p.m.) “This new Women’s Professional Development Track will provide education and training for women who are directly involved in the business as owners, managers, partners and service advisers – as well as women who have their own careers and interests outside of the business,” says Toni Slaton, AAM, executive director of AMI. “As a woman in the industry, it’s very exciting to launch a relevant program that will help women further develop the business skills necessary to be even more successful." In addition to the new WPD track, the NACE 2007 Conference Program includes tracks for Auto Glass, Estimating, Jobber, Management, Vehicle Repair and General. Sessions are offered Weds. (Oct. 31) through Sat. (Nov. 3) in 90-minute timeslots. Out of the 57 sessions, 39 are brand-new to the NACE lineup and 36 are accredited by AMI (including the four WPD sessions listed above). Search online at www.NACEexpo.com for a complete listing of sessions, descriptions and speakers – search by keyword, title, track, date or speaker. Additionally, I-CAR will present expanded technical training with six sessions on Weds. (Oct. 31) and three sessions on Sat. (Nov. 3). Of these nine sessions, three are brand-new and are premiering at NACE 2007. PCI will again offer an updated version of its annual session, Insurance and Auto Repair: Issues 2008, for the independent insurer and repairer on Weds. (Oct. 31). Register and book housing online at www.NACEexpo.com. NACE 2007 will be held Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The educational Conference will run from Oct. 31-Nov. 3 (Weds.-Sat.), and the Exposition will take place Nov. 1-3 (Thurs.-Sat.).
| 
