AutoEsolutions

How ‘Bout a Round of Applause?

II typically use this space to vent my concerns about the many challenges facing collision repair shops, but this month, there’s something extremely important that I need to say: THANK YOU!

ABAT always has so many irons in the fire that it’s easy to neglect giving praise where it’s due – words cannot adequately describe my appreciation for everyone involved with the association and all their hard work to help us succeed in our efforts to better the industry!

I want to start by thanking ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle for her tireless devotion to our organization and its members. She’s doing a great job, and I can’t imagine where we’d be without her.

Our Board deserves a round of applause too; their passion is unmatched, and I’m so proud of the way they get behind ABAT’s initiatives and drive us toward success. Thank you to the team at Thomas Greco Publishing for producing Texas Automotive every month, which enables us to promote all the great things we’re doing here in the Lone Star state.

I’m also clapping my hands for all the association’s sponsors whose assistance allows us to hold the best events with great food, prizes and entertainment. Without their support, ABAT would not be as successful as it is.

Flip to page 16 to see exactly what I’m talking about. Last month’s Fifth Annual Dean Griffin Memorial Skeet Shoot was a great time, as was the Houston chapter’s Topgolf FUNdraiser the previous month. We couldn’t accomplish our many goals without the joint efforts of Jill, our Board, our sponsors and our members.

Those efforts are exactly why I’m looking forward to the Texas Auto Body Trade Show, scheduled August 26-27 at the Irving Convention Center. Plans are still underway, but you can anticipate industry-renowned speakers, world-class exhibitors, awards, networking and tons of fun!

I know it’s going to be even bigger and better than ever before – because that’s how we do it here. We’re passionate about the things we do; it’s a huge part of who we are.

Speaking of Texas-sized components that make the entirety of something so much better, I’m most excited about this year’s BIG SHOTS competition. We debuted this contest in 2021 after contemplating it for five years, and it was definitely the highlight of last year’s event for me. Attracting more technicians to the show is vital as we grow our industry, and I can’t wait to see how much larger our BIG SHOTS become.

If you haven’t already marked your calendar, pull it out and add it now. It’s going to be one for the books, so you don’t want to miss it.

Oh, that reminds me! I nearly forgot one more round of appreciation. Thank YOU! All of ABAT’s actions are geared toward supporting the industry, but we wouldn’t have an industry to support without our wonderful members and their dedication to elevating what we do every day in our shops. You can’t see me, but I’m giving y’all a huge standing ovation – and I encourage you to do the same!

At the end of the day, everybody longs to be successful, and every business wants to make more money…but ABAT has assembled a fabulous team of people who understand that it’s about more than that – it’s about making a difference. And everyone involved with this association is making a difference each day, so I just want to reiterate how much I appreciate everyone and am looking forward to ABAT’s continued success as we work together to make this industry, our industry, better for all of us.

Burl Richards

ABAT President

burl@burlscollision.com

TXA