KOI-Federated Cavalcade Of Customs Features Service Tech, Body Shop Training

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KOI-Federated Cavalcade Of Customs Features Service Tech, Body Shop Training

The annual KOI Auto Parts-Federated Cavalcade of Customs not only is one of the coolest car shows in the country, but it also has become one of the nation’s top training expos for professional service technicians, according to show organizers.

Counterman Staff
By Counterman Staff
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STAUNTON, Virginia – The annual KOI Auto Parts-Federated Cavalcade of Customs not only is one of the coolest car shows in the country, but it also has become one of the nation’s top training expos for professional service technicians, according to show organizers.

The 58th annual Cavalcade of Customs is scheduled for Jan. 5-7 at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati.

“Our training expo at the Cavalcade has become a must-attend event for shop owners, professional service technicians and body shop personnel,” said Dave Wesselman, president of KOI. “Last year, we had over 1,000 participants in these informative training classes and we expect even more at this year’s show. In addition, our student day gets bigger and better every year.”

As part of the training expo, nearly 60 Federated/KOI vendor partners will participate in a booth show, displaying products and answering questions for attendees. Training for service technicians and body shop personnel will be available as well as courses for shop owners and decision makers.

“Last year we had a record crowd of over 55,000 attendees at the Cavalcade of Customs, and with the great lineup of one-of-a-kind custom cars and motorcycles, as well as celebrity appearances, special events, activities and good food, I bet we set a new attendance record this year,” Wesselman said.

On Jan. 5, KOI will host its annual Student Day, where approximately 300 students from local high schools, adult education programs and colleges will have the opportunity to attend a morning session in which they will hear testimonial presentations from successful auto care industry professionals. The balance of the day will be spent at the car show before it opens to the public.

“The Cavalcade of Customs is not only one of the premier car shows in the country, but it is also recognized as a one of the country’s best training expos,” said Phil Moore, senior vice president of Federated Auto Parts. “Dave Wesselman and his expert team have made this a first-class event and we thank our valued supplier partners for their support and participation in the training expo and Student Day.”

Celebrity guests at the event will include WWE superstar A.J. Styles, NASCAR driver Tony Stewart and actor Jerry Mathers of “Leave it to Beaver.”

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Customer Service: How It’s Done

Customer service should be your number one priority, and it all starts with the greeting.

Eric Garbe
By Eric Garbe
Eric Garbe is a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology. He has extensive independent and dealership field experience as a technician and shop owner and is an ASE Certified Master Technician and former Adjunct Automotive Professor. He has been professionally writing automotive technical articles and documents for many years and in his free time enjoys restoring old cars and creating custom interiors and upholstery.
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This is always an important topic to discuss, because I consider excellent customer service one of the most important tools you can have to earn trust, respect and repeat business from the customers that come through your door. Whether that customer is do-it-yourselfer from across town or the professional repair shop across the street, your business depends on a solid relationship.It’s a subject that I am passionate about, and it’s one that many people are losing touch with. Whether you are communicating to someone in person, on the phone or using some type of social media, good customer service and bad can both exist. You can’t afford the latter, so this is the first in a series of topics which can and should be shared from the front of the shop to the back. No matter which role you hold, you represent the shop and yourself. Customer service should be your number one priority.First on the list is the greeting. From the second a customer walks in the door, they need to know you appreciate them coming in and how important they are to your business. First impressions are everything and here’s the correct way to do it each and every time: look them directly in the eye, smile and say hello!Of course, you can say “Good morning” or “Welcome to Joe’s Autocare,” but it should be a formal greeting and the most important thing is that you have smiled, looked them in the eye and recognized that they have walked through the door.You should always retain a formal greeting until you are on a first-name basis with a customer. Only once you have established that level of relationship is it OK to use the less formal greeting of “Hi,” followed by the person’s name.This greeting does more than just indicate respect and appreciation for someone walking through the door. Most likely there are customers both new and old who are in earshot of your conversation. For newer customers, this continues to build rapport and reinforce their positive view of your shop; they see that you demonstrate respect and treat everyone in the same manner. For repeat customers, even ones that have been coming for years, the greeting is important because the way you treat them is the reason they continue to come.And when a long-time customer comes in and you greet them with “Hi [First Name],” this indicates your appreciation for them and that you’re glad to see them as a person, more than just a customer. New customers that witness this will see that your repeat customers are comfortable enough to be on a first-name basis, another indication of the trust they have in you.

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