AASP National News

Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) Seeks New Administrator
Following a highly successful first year for the widely acclaimed Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), the organization has announced today that it is seeking candidates interested in providing administrative services for the DEG. This news follows information released yesterday that current contractor, Aaron Schulenburg, has accepted a new position as the Executive Director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists.

Check Out www.degweb.org! (new window)
The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) is an initiative that was developed to help improve the quality and accuracy of collision repair estimates, through proactive feedback from the collision repair industry and other "end users" to the Information Providers (IPs) that supply the databases for the various estimating products. The DEG is created, equally funded and maintained by the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS).

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694)
Modern cars and light trucks contain advanced technology that monitors or controls virtually every function of the vehicle including: brakes, steering, air bags, fuel delivery, ignition, lubrication, theft prevention, emission controls and in some cases, tire pressure. Car owners and independent shops must have full access to the information and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair, or re-program these systems. This information and equipment is necessary to ensure vehicle safety, performance, and environmental compliance. Vehicle manufacturers are making access to such vital information increasingly difficult and costly to obtain for the independent aftermarket and its customers.

AASP Affiliate News

New Location for AASP-MO's EXCEL Event
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Missouri (AASP-Missouri) officially announced that they will be moving to a new location for the 28th Annual EXCEL Trade Show and Training Conference. The event will take place on September 18-20, 2009, at the St. Charles Convention Center in St. Charles, MO.

14th Annual Lights On For Safety is a Record-Breaker!
On Saturday, October 4th the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) held its 14th annual Lights On For Safety event. The event received significant media exposure and was recognized by Governor Tim Pawlenty, who proclaimed October 4th Lights On for Safety Day in Minnesota.

AASP/NJ Unveils State-of-the-Art NORTHEAST 2009 Trade Show Website
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ), the state's largest association of collision and mechanical repairers, has unveiled a state-of-the-art website for their flagship event, the NORTHEAST 2009 trade show at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC). The OFFICIAL NORTHEAST 2009 site is www.aaspnjnortheast.com. NORTHEAST 2009 will take place March 20-22, 2009 at the MEC in Secaucus, NJ.