Big Turnout for 2014 AASP/NJ Annual Meeting

On October 30, the Holiday Inn of Clark, NJ hosted close to 100 collision and mechanical shop owners, technicians and guests for the AASP/NJ 2014 Annual Meeting. Beginning at 7pm, attendees enjoyed a cash bar, dinner, dessert and a presentation by industry-renowned attorney Erica Eversman, J.D. Eversman is chief counsel for Vehicle Information Services, Inc. and has been involved in a number of different lawsuits on industry related issues. Her speech, “The New American Revolution,” outlined the status of the industry, current litigation across the country and what this present atmosphere of legal action means for the future of the collision repair business.

“The industry is changing. It’s not changing fast enough, not changing as a huge, instant and sweeping tide, but it definitely is changing,” Eversman began. She gave those in attendance insight into the multi-district litigation in Mississippi and being heard in Florida, the case between the Louisiana Attorney General and State Farm, the resurrection of Hale v. State Farm, the RICO suit and the Crawford case, among others. Guests left with a greater understanding of the events occurring in their industry and what it might mean for their future.

The night also saw AASP/NJ’s annual awards presentation. Ricca Auto Body of Hackensack was named the Stan Wilson/New Jersey Automotive Body Shop of the Year, while Riverside Auto Body in Belleville’s Hermino Torres, Jr. was given the Russ Robson Scholarship Award. Concluding the ceremonies was the 2014 AASP/NJ Hall of Fame induction. AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant welcomed longtime association supporter Joe Amato of the Amato Agency as the 30th member of the AASP/NJ Hall of Fame.

For the latest on AASP/NJ’s flagship event, NORTHEAST® 2015, visit www.aaspnjnortheast.com, the NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show on Facebook, the NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show YouTube page (www.youtube.com/user/AASPNJNORTHEAST) or on Twitter @AASPNJNORTHEAST.