AUTO's popular and successful Face-2-Face conference, which gives manufacturers an opportunity to meet with warehouse distributors, is coming to Showpower. Larry Norris, AUTO president and vice president of global affairs for MagnaFlow Exhaust Products, said the conferences will be Thursday, March 17; Friday, March 18; and Saturday, March 19, at the Westin Indianapolis Hotel. Michelle Dickemann, AUTO executive director, has asked former executive director Denise Kotowicz to assist in supervising the event. Only a limited number of manufacturer and warehouse-distributor slots are available. Those wishing to participate should contact Dickemann at 800-274-7890 or mdickemann@mdpublications.com. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, she said.
Showpower Set for Indianapolis
Showpower 2011, the Undercar/Transmission Expo, is set for March 17-19 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Robert Jacobsmeyer, Showpower exhibit manager, pointed out that Indianapolis is within a day's drive of more than half the nation's population. Its airport is only 15 minutes from the heart of Indianapolis' revitalized downtown. The convention center is connected by skywalks to eight hotels with 3,200 rooms and Circle Centre shopping and entertainment complex. The Westin Indianapolis, adjacent to the convention center, is the host hotel for Showpower, and a special rate of only $110 per night has been arranged.
Technical seminars at Showpower will cover a wide variety of undercar repair and service topics. Shop operator and Muffler & Pipe Advice author Ed Hanson will moderate a two-part seminar concerning emission controls for gasolinepowered engines. Joining him will be a panel of trainers representing leading catalytic-converter manufacturers. Part I will cover diagnosing converter problems and choosing the right converter. Part II will discuss how new OE-converter technology and legislation will affect shops. Undercar Digest Contributing Editor Bob Leone will provide an update on emission-control systems for diesel pickups as a follow-up from last year's seminar. As of 2012 all passenger cars and light trucks in the U.S. will be equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Technical Editor Ron Henningsen will explain the necessity of resetting the steering-angle sensor when these vehicles are aligned. Back by popular demand is Showpower's hands-on pipe-bending clinic conducted by shop owners Jody Rupe, Gerard Bettinger and Ed Hanson. Check for updates at www.showpowerexpo.com.
