AGRSS Schedules First Conference
Ralph Nader Scheduled to Speak:
Bob Bischoff to Explain New O & A

The Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council (AGRSS) will hold its first ever conference October 16-17 at the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

AGRSS is holding the event to provide more education and information to those interested in the ANSI/AGRSS Standard (ANSI/AGRSS 002-2002) and to AGRSS-registered companies. A preliminary agenda is available online at the AGRSS website, www.agrss.com.

"We are very excited about this conference," said Cindy Ketcherside, AGRSS chairperson. "It's the first opportunity we've had to bring our committee members and registered companies together with others concerned about safety to talk about how they are using the AGRSS Standard to advance their businesses."

Ketcherside said the group is also working on a day-long program for insurance company representatives who want to understand the AGRSS Standard and how it will effect installation practices in the auto glass industry.

Noted automotive safety advocate Ralph Nader will be the keynote speaker and will discuss automotive safety and how it relates to AGRSS. Nader will open the Conference on Sunday, October 16 at 9 a.m. All conference participants are invited to hear him speak.

State Farm national glass manager, Bob Bischoff, will also speak at the AGRSS Conference to further explain the insurer's new Offer and Acceptance program. Scheduled to speak on Monday, October 17, 2005 at 9 a.m., Bischoff will address how the language of the O&A will change and what those changes mean for the industry.

"We expect the conference to attract the top auto glass companies in the industry - those committed to safety and who want to learn more about how to differentiate themselves from competitors by their compliance to the standard," said Deb Levy, chair of the AGRSS marketing committee.

Conference fees are $95 per person from AGRSS registered companies who sign-up for the conference by September 15, 2005 ($145 after September 15, 2005). For persons from non-AGRSS registered companies who sign up for the conference by September 15, the fee is $145 per person ($195 after September 15, 2005).

In addition, the AGRSS Council will offer companies that apply for AGRSS registration between August 1 and December 31, 2005 a $50 discount coupon that can be used toward their conference registration fee for either this year or next.

All conference fees go to support the work of the AGRSS Council.

As an extra bonus, conference participants will also be able to attend the Auto Glass Technician Olympics to be held October 16th-18th at the same location - at no additional charge. Though it is a separate event entirely, those with AGRSS badges may attend at no charge, as a courtesy.

For more information about the conference visit www.agrss.com/conference.php.

For information on the Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino visit www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/

To register visit www.agrss.com/confreg.php.