The Automotive Service Association (ASA), sponsor of the recently created Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW), as well as the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), is pleased to announce that Archie Manning, All-American Quarterback and NFL MVP, will be the 2008 keynote speaker at the Opening General Session taking place Thursday morning, November 6. DuPont Performance Coatings is the sponsor of the Opening General Session that will be held during the NACE and CARS co-located events at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, November 5-8.
"When people think of Archie Manning, they think football. But Manning’s appeal transcends his athletic achievements and it is with great pride that DuPont will sponsor him as this year’s keynote speaker,” said Mark Wagner, vice president refinish Americas, DuPont Performance Coatings.
People far and wide have been inspired by Manning’s warm personality, drive and sense of humor. He was recently selected as one of 10 outstanding New Orleanians by Family Service of Greater New Orleans and named Hornblower of the Year by the Public Relations Society of America. He currently serves in public relations and consulting capacities for several local, regional and national companies. For 25 years he hosted four Archie Manning Cystic Fibrosis benefit golf tournaments in Louisiana and Mississippi and is active in a wide variety of charitable and civic causes.
While attending the University of Mississippi, Manning was named an All-American Quarterback and is the only Ole Miss player to have his number retired. He was voted Mississippi’s Greatest All-Time Athlete in 1992, and recently named Mississippi’s Most Popular Athlete of the Century. He was elected to the 50-Year All-South Team (1940-1990), named one of the Top 25 Athletes of the Century in Louisiana and along with his son Peyton, Manning was named among the 100 All-Time Greatest College Football Players. Manning was inducted into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame and is a member of other Halls of Fame including Louisiana and Mississippi.
In 1971, Manning was the second player chosen in the NFL draft – the number one draft choice of the New Orleans Saints. He set Saints passing records, played in two Pro Bowls and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1978. He was the first player in Saints history to be inducted into the Louisiana Superdome Wall of Fame. He concluded his 15-year career in 1985. During his career as an all-star athlete, Manning was also drafted four times by major league baseball.
While in pro football, he received the Byron “Whizzer” White Humanitarian Award, the Bart Starr Humanitarian Award, the Spirit of Good Sports Award from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and the U.S. Jaycees named him one of 10 Outstanding Young Americans. In 2005 Manning received the Legends award from the Davey O’Brien Foundation and the Aspire award, a tribute to life’s coaches, from the Cal Ripken Foundation.
His community activities include Louisiana Special Olympics, the New Orleans Area Boy Scout Council, the Salvation Army, United Way Speakers Bureau, NOKIA Sugar Bowl Committee, New Orleans Sports Foundation, and National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
Manning and his wife Olivia reside in New Orleans and have three sons, Cooper, Peyton and Eli. Cooper is an institutional broker in New Orleans. Peyton is a former All-American at Tennessee. As quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts he was named MVP in the National Football League in 2003 & 2004 and was named All-Pro in 2003, 2004 & 2005. Also in 2004 he broke Dan Marino’s record by throwing for 49 touchdowns and recently won the Walter Payton award as the “NFL Man of the Year.” Eli set 47 school records as quarterback of the Ole Miss Football team and in 2003 received the Maxwell Trophy as the Outstanding Player in College Football. Eli is the quarterback of the New York Giants and was the #1 selection in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Manning and Peyton have written a book entitled Manning: A Father, His Sons and A Football Legacy. He and his boys also operate the Manning Passing Academy, a summer camp for high school quarterbacks and receivers. In honor of the Mannings’ college football accomplishments, the Sugar Bowl has created the Manning Award to go to the nation’s best college quarterback.
Prior to Manning’s keynote address, NACE 2008 Event Chairman, Darrell Amberson and CARS 2008 Event Chairman, Aaron Clements will take the stage, sharing their views, comments and direction of the state of today’s industry — both the collision and mechanical segments.
The online housing system is live and open at www.NACEexpo.com and www.CARSevent.com. Hanley Wood Housing will assist attendees and exhibitors with all hotel, airline and car rentals — one-stop shopping for all travel needs.
The NACE and CARS hotel block includes the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, The Hotel at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur Hotel & Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel & Casino, Monte Carlo Resort & Casino, and the all new Hooters Hotel Casino.
Online Registration will open in early-June and the printed attendee brochures will be distributed in mid- to late-July.
Both NACE and CARS, the 2008 ASRW co-located events, will be held November 5-8, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The educational Conference will run from November 5-8 (Wednesday-Saturday), and the Exposition is open November 6-8 (Thursday-Saturday). Both events also take place during the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), taking place that same week in Las Vegas.
NACE — the world’s collision repair event — annually draws an estimated attendance of 25,000+ industry professionals from around the globe, featuring a comprehensive educational Conference and Exposition of 450+ exhibiting companies. To exhibit at NACE 2008, call toll-free (888) 529-1641 or (972) 536-6444. For more NACE information, visit the NACE website at www.NACEexpo.com.
CARS — the premier event for automotive service professionals — projects an estimated attendance of 2,000+ industry professionals, features a comprehensive educational Conference and Exposition of 100+ exhibiting companies. To exhibit at CARS 2008, call toll-free (866) 704-8069 or (972) 536-6425. For more CARS information, visit the CARS website at www.CARSevent.com.
The Automotive Service Association is the sponsor of ASRW, NACE and CARS. ASA is the largest international not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive industry through education, legislative representation and member services. Its international membership base includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from all segments of the industry. For additional information about ASA, go to www.ASAshop.org. ASRW, NACE and CARS are produced by Hanley Wood Exhibitions (HWE). For additional information, contact HWE at P.O. Box 612128, Dallas, TX 75261-2128 or call toll-free (888) 529-1641 or (972) 536-6444.