United Servicers Piggybacks On Brand Source Summit

By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 11/17/2008

WOBURN, MASS. — The United Servicers Association (USA), the independent appliance repair trade group, will hold its annual Service and Retail Convention (SRC09) in conjunction with the Brand Source Summit this March.

SRC09 will run independently of the buying group's spring show, although members of each organization will have full access to both venues. SRC09 attendees may also partake in Summit entertainment and meals.

The events will be held March 22-24 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.

USA was formed by independent servicers in 1992. It briefly served as the service division of the North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA) following a merger in March 2007, but ended the relationship this past August.

USA, during its association with NARDA, held a nationwide series of business management and technical training seminars with Brand Source Service, the buying group's own service division, that began last year and continued into 2008.

Brand Source Service has also partnered with Marcone Servicers Association (MSA) on joint trade conventions and training tours.

USA's SRC09 classes will include industry roundtable discussions and business management training covering flat-rate pricing, calculating the cost of doing business, negotiating fair warranty rates and best marketing practices.

Technical classes will include hands-on tear-down and instruction on all major white-goods brands as well as many boutique and high-end manufacturers.

Registration for SRC09 is $1,000, which includes a three-night stay at the Anatole. Attendees planning to stay at area hotels can register for $399, which includes meetings and meals only.

Members can register at www.unitedservicers.com or by calling (800) 683-2558.