As the ATRA Board President, I would like to welcome you to Powertrain Expo 2019. This our first Expo at the Caesars Palace Hotel, and I believe you’ll find your stay here fun and exciting.
The ATRA Powertrain Expo is the largest annual gathering of transmission rebuilders in the world. If you’re wondering how this happened, I’m confident that after attending this year’s Expo, you’ll know. Every year “great” just keeps getting better, and this year is no exception as we offer more: leading-edge tech training, exhibitors with new products and ideas, and management speakers with innovative business solutions. Our theme this year is “MORE WOW.”
In addition to our world-class seminar lineup, here are just a few “don’t miss” events to enhance your experience.
Compliments of Transtar Industries, the always-popular Transtar Reception is on Friday evening, and everyone is invited to attend. This is a great time to renew acquaintanceships and make new ones.
If you’re a golfer or even a wannabe golfer, don’t miss the ATRA Powertrain Expo Golf Tournament. We’ll meet early Thursday morning to head out to the Angel Park Golf Club to play their famous Mountain Course – tee time is at 8:30am.
Our traditional Friday luncheon, sponsored by Raybestos Powertrain and WIT, has a new spin this year with a LunchFest Buffet. We’ll feature 3 different food cuisines – Italian, Mexican, BBQ and a beer booth. That’s right, beer!
There are two other events that I want to emphasize. These are important meetings, especially at this critical time in our industry as we face new challenges. We’ll discuss these and other pressing questions.
- Where will we find new employees to fill our present and future needs?
- How will we train them?
- Who will replace us, and how do we make the transition?
The ATRA Member Meeting is on Friday morning from 8am to 9am. Come and learn what’s going on at ATRA, meet our IBO staff and the ATRA Board of Directors. Share your ideas with us. We enjoy hearing from you.
Another important meeting is the combined ATRA Chapters meeting on Friday afternoon between 4pm to 6pm. Whether you’re a member or not, come and learn about what ATRA is doing and how the Chapters provide grassroots support to make us a more dynamic organization.
To better serve our membership, ATRA has several chapters across North America. Among other things, the Chapters plan and provide logistical and tactical support for local and regional seminars. Most of the Chapters operate with locally elected boards and committees. I believe that serving within a Chapter provides a path to being elected to the National ATRA Board of Directors.
As I’ve already said, perhaps the most pressing challenge facing us today is discovering ideas for attracting new people to our industry. You might be part of the answer to that challenge. With that goal in mind, I encourage you to become an industry leader and to openly share your ideas.
I’m looking forward to seeing you again and making new friends, as well. But most of all, I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say about ATRA and what you think we should do to address our challenges and foster a bright future for our industry.
Jim Rodd
ATRA Board President
