Leesburg, Virginia--September 7, 2010--The Women's Industry Network (WIN) has partnered with Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW) to sponsor and create this year’s Women's Professional Development Track course offerings. The courses will be offered at the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), held in conjunction with ASRW, Oct. 10-13 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

WIN's sponsorship of the education track stems from involvement with ASRW in 2009, said Kim White, WIN chair and district sales manager for FinishMaster. The women’s professional development track was first created in 2007.

"Last year, ASRW asked WIN to assist with one or two of the panels in the women’s track," White said. "After last year's event, ASRW reviewed the track and decided to continue it in 2010. ASRW then partnered with WIN to sponsor and lead the development of the track for this year’s event."

“Women are involved in all aspects of the collision repair industry, and providing education specific to their needs is an important goal of ASRW,” says Bill Haas, ASA vice president of education and training. “The WIN organization is the perfect partner for this track, and we’re pleased to partner with them on what we know will be the highest quality information and education.”

White says the courses, presented by WIN members, will offer information that cannot be found in other ASRW conference sessions and will help build a sense of camaraderie among women in the industry.

"The goal was to provide quality personal and professional development programs that didn't duplicate information shared in other sessions," she said. "In addition, we wanted to reach women new to the industry, as well as encourage others to stay in the industry by building networks that will help their businesses."

Women's Professional Development Track conference sessions include:

• Strategic Benefits of Female Business Ownership--moderated by Margaret Klinsport of Allstate Insurance with panelists Kathy Mello, TGIF Auto Body and Kelly McCarty, Carty’s Collision Center
• Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk: Best Kept Secrets for Success in the Collision Industry (AMI Accredited - 3 credits)--presented by Denise Caspersen, Automotive Service Association, and Gigi Walker, Walker Autobody
• 2010: Year of the Woman Panel Discussion--moderated by Kristen Felder of Collision Hub with panelists Geri Kottschade, Jerry’s Body Shop; Mary Mahoney, Enterprise; Mary Jo Prigge, CCC; and Marcy Tieger, Symphony Advisors.
• Successful Networking Strategies--moderated by Victoria Jankowski of State Farm Insurance with panelists Karen Fierst, KerenOr Consultants; Ruth Weniger, Airbag Solutions; and Liz Stein, Fix Auto
• Developing My Personal Brand--moderated by Stacy Bartnik of CARSTAR with panelists Petra Schroeder, Dupont; Teresa Bolton, ASE; and Jeanne Silver, CARSTAR Mundelein

"After topics were developed, the committee sought people to participate and made a conscious effort to identify and reach out to women who have great information to share, but for one reason or another, have not been on the national stage," White said. "Most, but not all, panelists are WIN members."

The committee that participated in the development of the track included Tieger, Kottschade, Jankowski, Caspersen, Felder and White.