The Profit Building Pavilion portion of the exposition showcased vendors with customer-driven products, such as Autoshop Solutions, Demandforce, Mudlick Mail Co. and Net Driven Media.

 

Thursday morning saw several seminars headed by I-CAR. Bob Zelano ran a seminar on automotive foams and Tony Nethery instructed participants on proper measuring methods.

 

 

Following the I-CAR seminars, keynote speaker Dick Cross addressed the audience and talked on how to improve the operational and financial performance of businesses. Cross is a business turnaround expert and author of Just Run It!, an instructional book on turning underperforming businesses into efficient and thriving enterprises. He is also the founder of The Cross Partnership III, a Boston-based “hands-on” consulting and turn around firm. Cross spoke on how to increase success through universal and always-pertinent aspects of business, such as leadership and team morale.

 

Education highlights included I-CAR representative Shawn Collins’s workshop on Blueprinting Process and Damage Discovery, Bob Zelano of I-CAR’s Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair class and Bryan Dodge of Dodge Development’s presentation on the delicate balance of work and life, and how to achieve harmony among the two.

 

The day wound down with the ASRW Welcome Party, held at the iconic Mardi Gras World venue. Attendees were given a guided tour through the warehouse where Mardi Gras floats are manufactured, and end up at the Grand Oaks Mansion next door – a replica antebellum mansion.

 

NACE continues Friday at the Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, La. Keep watching this space for more information on NACE or visit naceexpo.org.