RECAP: PBES 2011 Spring Conference

The PBES 2011 Spring Conference, held May 10-12, in Phoenix, Ariz., was a great success. Jobbers from across the U.S. were represented, making up 99 total attendees. Conference speakers included: Mark LeBlanc, Small Business Success; Noah Rickun, Buy Gitomer, Inc.; G.B. Outlaw, G.B. Outlaw & Associates; Larry Snodgrass, U.S. Chemical & Plastics; and Chris Johnson, Aftermarket Partners, Inc.

The spring program provided attendees with a plan to build a positive culture within their companies. Handouts from the presentations will be available on the PBES segment page at www.aftermarket.org/Segments/PBES/Events.aspx.

During the PBES board meeting, the committee elected Guy Bargnes, Painters Supply & Equipment Company, as the incoming PBES chairman. “I would like to thank the 2011 PBES Conference Committee for both their thoughtful development of the conference agenda and selection of speakers,” Bargnes said. “Their hard work allowed attendees to gain significant value from the conference, as well as provide a unique networking opportunity for PBE jobbers and WDs.”

Ballots were distributed earlier this week to PBES segment primary contacts for positions on the committee and are due back via e-mail by Wednesday, June 15 to Rosemary Perry at rosemary.perry@aftermarket.org. 




04/21/2011



2011 PBES Spring Conference: “Key Elements for Planning” Roundtables

The 2011 PBES Spring Conference, May 10-12, at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix, Ariz., will feature four roundtable topics on business planning challenges on Tuesday, May 10 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The roundtable discussions, moderated by PBES Segment Committee members, will provide the opportunity for jobbers to learn about successful practices from their peers. There will be three sessions, each 25 minutes in length, enabling participants to select the three topics that most interest them. A break is scheduled between each session. A wrap-up is planned to outline the most valuable recommendations from each discussion topic.

The 2011 PBES Conference pre-event brochure is now available online. Click here to download the registration form or click here to register online. For more information on the conference, contact Arlene Davis or Marcella Tilli.




04/12/2011



Chris Johnson Discusses “Visual Merchandising” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference

Chris Johnson, Aftermarket Partners, Inc., will lead a session on “Visual Merchandising for PBE Jobbers: Proven Methods for Designing Store Environments and Product Displays to Increase Sales & Profit” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference, Thursday, May 12 at 9:30 a.m., at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix, Ariz.

Visual merchandising (VM) is the art and science of designing a store environment and displaying merchandise to facilitate maximum sales. Although the “store front” of the business is not where PBE jobbers see their greatest sales, taking the time to put proven merchandising techniques to work in your store is well worth the effort and investment. This session, which includes multiple pictures and diagrams, focuses on the importance of store image; how to think like a grocery store; fixture and product display options; delivery area design for easy product selection; driver marketing techniques; and product awareness ideas to increase your customer’s confidence in your store’s inventory.

Chris Johnson, senior managing partner and co-founder of Aftermarket Partners, Inc., a consulting firm that has worked with dozens of automotive aftermarket manufacturers to develop, launch and support durable goods, software, e-commerce solutions and information Web portals. Johnson has more than 20 years of distribution experience in the automotive collision industry.   

The 2011 PBES Conference pre-event brochure is now available online. Click here to download the registration form or click here to register online. For more information on the conference, contact Arlene Davis or Marcella Tilli.




04/07/2011



REMINDER: 2011 PBES Spring Conference Hotel Deadline is Friday, April 8

Hotel reservations for the Paint, Body & Equipment Specialists (PBES) 2011 spring conference, May 10-12, in Phoenix, Ariz., can be booked online by clicking here. The 2011 conference will once again be held at the Embassy Suites Phoenix-Scottsdale. Attendees can reserve rooms for a group rate of $139/night – a $20/night savings from 2010 – by referencing “PBES/AAIA Meeting.” Complimentary Internet is included in the rate. The deadline for room reservations is Friday, April 8, 2011.

The 2011 PBES Conference pre-event brochure is now available online. Click here to download the registration form or click here to register online. For more information on the conference, contact Arlene Davis or Marcella Tilli.




03/31/2011

April Chapman-Broussard to Provide Insight on “Mobile Devices and Wireless Technologies for Better Connection” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference

April Chapman-Broussard, Speakin’ Up, will lead a session on “Mobile Devices and Wireless Technologies for Better Connection” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference, Thursday, May 12 at 8 a.m., at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix, Ariz.

We never leave home without it… our mobile device, that is. Whether you are an iPhone addict, BlackBerry enthusiast or Smartphone fan, you most likely find yourself utilizing it more than ever. Most professionals are constantly on the go, and find it is crucial to be able to manage communications wherever they are. This interactive session will explore various types of mobile devices and wireless technologies that are currently available to help with our ability to effectively connect. This session will also look at emerging technologies that will change how we communicate, manage information and interact with each other while on the go.

Attendees will learn how to identify new mobile devices and wireless technologies; about the most popular applications for the paint, body and equipment industry; and how emerging technologies will impact the industry.

The 2011 PBES Conference pre-event brochure is now available online. Click here to download the registration form or click here to register online. For more information on the conference, contact Arlene Davis or Marcella Tilli.




03/24/2011



Larry Snodgrass to Discuss His Survivor Story, Miracle on the Hudson, at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference

Larry Snodgrass, U.S. Chemical & Plastics, Inc., will present “Miracle on the Hudson: Survivor Shares His Story” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference, Wednesday, May 11 at 3:45 p.m., at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix, Ariz.

Snodgrass is national sales manager for U.S. Chemical & Plastics, Inc. He lives in Sarasota, Fla. with his wife, Carol, “the love of his life.” They have two grown children, Justin and Lindsay. Snodgrass served in the U.S. Air Force, with overseas duty in Korea and Vietnam. Family, golf, travel, boating, along with off shore fishing, are all favorite past times enjoyed by both. Life now has a special meaning for Snodgrass and his newly-enlarged family – the 154 other passengers on US Airways Flight 1549 that crash landed in the Hudson River on Jan. 15, 2009.

The 2011 PBES Conference pre-event brochure is now available online. Click here to download the registration form or click here to register online. For more information on the conference, contact Arlene Davis or Marcella Tilli.




03/15/2011



G.B. Outlaw Presents “Creating a Culture of Continuous Competence” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference

G.B. Outlaw, GB Outlaw & Associates, will hold a session on “Leading for Change: Creating a Culture of Continuous Competence” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference, Wednesday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m., at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix, Ariz.

Organizations must constantly reshape themselves to respond proactively and effectively to meet customer needs. However, the daunting task for most leaders is how to implement an effective change process that takes root and sustains itself through the entire organization. In this session, Outlaw will identify strategies that motivate the organization to enable continual business success and achieve the company’s vision. Attendees will learn how to implement a change process that takes root and sustains itself throughout the entire organization on a continual basis; how to lead your people where you want them to be; and how to develop a strategy for sticking to the plan and achieving the desired results.

G.B. Outlaw, president, GB Outlaw and Associates, Inc., is a recognized leader in workshop/business meeting facilitation and leadership development/coaching. With more than 28 years of experience in the fields of manufacturing, process improvement, business/program management, sales and organizational development, Outlaw brings his unique ability to help stakeholders develop concrete skills, strategies and solutions to improve team moral and performance. His background, experience and wisdom position him to teach, inspire and motivate organizations.

The 2011 PBES Conference pre-event brochure is now available online. Click here to download the registration form or click here to register online. For more information on the conference, contact Arlene Davis or Marcella Tilli.




03/10/2011

Noah Rickun Talks Customer Satisfaction Vs. Customer Loyalty at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference

Noah Rickun, Buy Gitomer, Inc., will lead a session on “How to Make Customers Love You and Keep Them Coming Back” at the 2011 PBES Spring Conference, Wednesday, May 11 at 10:15 a.m., at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix, Ariz.

Back by popular demand, Rickun will inspire you to take action on the ideas and goals you generate during the conference. He will share specific strategies for differentiating your business from the competition, so that your customers perceive you as value-provider, resource and trusted advisor. Attendees will learn the difference between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty; the three BIG factors to your business’ success; and the Secret Service Success Formula.

Rickun is the CEO of Jeffrey Gitomer’s TrainOne, a leader in online, interactive sales training and personal development. Previous to this position, he served as vice president of sales at ETE REMAN. Rickun managed a team of 21 inside sales and service reps, and was responsible for business development. He managed key account relationships and developed customer training programs that combine product training with sales training. Rickun grew an underperforming sales team from $2 million to $20 million in just four years. He also participates in industry associations, serves on major industry boards and presents at customer conferences and conventions. Rickun holds a B.S. in business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Business and a J.D. from Marquette University Law School.

The 2011 PBES Conference pre-event brochure is now available online. Click here to download the registration form or click here to register online. For more information on the conference, contact Arlene Davis or Marcella Tilli.




03/08/2011



PBE Jobber Webinar to Be Held April 6

The Paint, Body and Equipment Specialists (PBES) segment of AAIA will be holding a Webinar entitled “PBE Jobbers: Six Ways to Enhance Your Online Presence,” on Wednesday, April 6 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT.

The Internet continues to transform the ways companies do business. What are the components of your company’s online presence? Does your Web site accurately reflect your company’s resume? Is your company using the connectivity that the Internet provides to get as close as possible to your customers? In this complimentary one-hour Webinar, CollisionSync’s Stephanie Drew will address the six key ways any business can be improved with better utilization of Internet resources.

• Company Web site 
• Social media 
• E-mail marketing
• Customer management systems (CRM)
• Information sites
• E-commerce

Stephanie Drew is the marketing programs manager for CollisionBuzz, a division of CollisionSync LLC. CollisionBuzz provides social media marketing solutions to the collision repair segment of the automotive aftermarket. Drew creates content for, and works on a daily basis, supporting CollisionBuzz clients.

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/895655246.




03/03/2011



Mark LeBlanc Announced as Kick-Off Speaker for 2011 PBES Spring Conference

Mark LeBlanc, Small Business Success, will kick off the 2011 PBES Spring Conference, May 10-12, at the Embassy Suites in Phoenix, Ariz., with a session entitled “Endgame: Success While Keeping the Goal in Sight.”

In the session, scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, 8:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m., LeBlanc will outline the decisions and critical skills needed today that will take your business in the right direction and ultimately bring you to your long-term goal. Attendees will learn how every decision you make today affects your business, short and long term; the four key areas you need to focus on for business growth; and how to identify and develop critical skills for business success.

LeBlanc has special expertise on the core issues that business owners and professionals face on a daily basis. His flagship presentation and book, Growing Your Business! are ideal on addressing how to sell more products and services. LeBlanc has been on his own virtually his entire adult life, owned several businesses and now speaks and writes on the street-smart strategies for achieving in times of challenge and change. He gives presentations on issues ranging from the money side of business, to successful positioning strategies, to developing a comprehensive marketing plan, to setting up a system for staying focused and performing at your best on a daily basis. LeBlanc is a member of Master Speakers International, a seasoned-veteran with the National Speakers Association and served as the national president in 2007-2008.