Grand Island, Neb. -- -The Nebraska Autobody Association (NABA) celebrated its 30th anniversary during its convention at the Interstate Holiday Inn Grand Island on April 13-14.
"About 100 people attended this year's convention," said Norbert Zaenglein, executive director of NABA. The convention had a Las Vegas-style theme, he said, and all the booths in the exhibit hall had Vegas-style decorations.
Exhibitors received awards for most unique game, best Vegas-style booth, and most entertaining person at the booth. "We held an auction, held seminars, had food, fun, fellowship, raffles and much more," Zaenglein said.
The trade show included more than 25 venders with games, prizes, and gifts, he said. "The trade show was well attended, and, at times, it was difficult getting through the wide aisles of the show floor."
The venders ranged from manufactures, warehouse suppliers, recycling parts suppliers, raceway parks, insurance companies, and dealerships, Zaenglein said.
On Friday, the convention started with registration and four seminars that lasted until late afternoon. In one of the seminars, marketing consultant D. J. Harrington, sponsored by PPG, went over his "Checkup From The Neck Up."
Later that morning, I-CAR had an online demo for the attendees followed by a NABA business meeting and luncheon.
"The afternoon," Zaenglein said, "had a shop safety clinic with Margaret Hansen, sponsored by 3M Corp., and motivational speaker Don Fritz, sponsored by Rubber-Seal. The evening started off with cocktails and was followed by an evening meal with a strolling magician/caricature artist."The trade show opened on Saturday morning, Zaenglein said. In the afternoon, Todd Hoffman, sponsored by Keystone Automotive, delivered his "Scene Of The Accident" class to a full house.
A seminar sponsored by the Nebraska State Patrol focused on the "black boxes" included in some new vehicles. Troopers Brent Bockstadter and Neil Trantham were the speakers for the "Accident Investigation" event. Trantham said that since 2002, more and more cars are being built with computers that capture relevant data in the event of an accident.
Trantham and Bockstadter said they are investigators who go out in the field and draw the information from the vehicles and present it to the authorities as evidence.
"The black box contains information like speed of the vehicle and the driving pattern of the vehicle prior, during, and after the accident," Trantham said. "As the cars get smarter, the black box will be able to gather more information that can help with forensic investigation."
The training sessions were followed by an evening banquet and silent auction. Dan Rose, who chairs the NABA scholarship program, introduced the winners of two scholarships. Brad Peterson of Southeast Community College in Milford was awarded the 2007 Russwood Chrysler Scholarship, while Nicholas Kruse was the winner of the 2007 Enterprise Rent-A-Car Scholarship. "We are proud to see these talented men being recognized and rewarded for their dedication and achievements," said Scott Meints, NABA president.
The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Nebraska Auto Body Hall of Fame Award. The winners were Bob and Patricia Hancock from Bob's Body Shop of Grand Island. Hancock is a charter member of NABA and was president from 1981 to 1982. He is also a charter member of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and served as its membership chairman from 1985-1986.
The evening finished with comedian Gayle Becwar, an auction, and a party.
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