Thursday * October 29, 1998

Sponsored by:

7:30am -- 2pm Golf Tournament ­ ATRA/Red
Girdley Open at Angels Park
Mountain Course in Las Vegas

3pm­­9pm Registration ­Ballroom E/Las Vegas Hilton

Friday * October 30, 1998

Sponsored by:

7am -- 6pm Registration - Ballroom E 
& Coffee (7-9am)

Sponsored by:

9am -- 10:30am Seminars ­ Session 1

VSS Systems for General Motors' Trucks -- Steve Garrett,   General Motors Corporation. Highlights the operation, diagnosis, and repair of current concerns with VSS systems used on General Motors' trucks. Among the concerns covered are: a VSS reading while standing still; no VSS signal; and a signal that is too high causing stacked shifts. VSS-related problems are usually simple to fix, but some can be very time consuming to find. Let Steve show you the tricks of his trade.

Basics of Computer Control -- Vince Fischelli, VEEJER   Enterprises. Ever wonder how a computer thinks? How sensors speak to a computer? How computers speak to actuators? Learn about computer personality and important troubleshooting tips and techniques.

Sensor Signal Test Tricks You Should Know -- Dan Mari  nucci, Communiqué. Most sensor signals are more alike­­if not the same­­than most people realize. Learn practical ways you can create and substitute a known-good sensor signal to see if the computer responds correctly. Substituting a good signal is a fast and accurate way to isolate a suspect sensor or wiring problem from the computer.

How to Successfully Operate Multiple Transmission Shops  -- Larry Kuperman, Summit Business Systems. Multiple shop operations are becoming more and more important in dealing with the changes in our business. In this seminar Larry will examine the industry myths about multi-shop operations and look at the essential ingredients to successful multi-shop operation.

Finding, Hiring, and Training Technicians -- Mike Lee, Management Success! Let Mike answer the one big question everyone is asking, "where do I find qualified technicians?"

Compensation and Incentives for Techs and Managers --  Bob Cooper, ELITE. If you want to be successful in the coming years, then you need a great compensation and incentive program. Join us as Bob shares his secrets for putting together a super program that will help you attract and keep the superstars!

10:30am -- 11am Coffee Break

Sponsored by:

11am -- 12:30pm Seminars ­ Session 2

Volkswagen and Audi's 4 speed Automatics -- Thom Mendola, Automatic Transmission Factory Inc. The Volkswagen and Audi 096, 097 and 098s are some of the most difficult transmissions for which to get technical information, making them virtually impossible to fix. Thom works on a lot of these vehicles and knows what it takes to make them work.

At Peace with Mitsubishi's KM 175 Series Transaxle -- Bob Nuttall. The KM series transaxle is one of the trickiest units to understand because the basis of its operation is unique. Bob will make understanding this unit simple while showing you the latest in rebuilding techniques, component interchange, component modification and diagnosis.

The Latest Transmission Changes for General Motors' Vehicles -- Dale England, ATSG. Dale brings to the industry his expertise in the rebuilding, changes, and updating of the 4T40E, 4T60E, 4T65E, 4T80E, 4L60E, and the 4L80E.   

  Computers: What They Can and Can't Do For Your Shop -- Cliff McCormick, ATRA. If you are interested in computers but haven't taken the plunge, let Cliff show you how to avoid the obstacles. Learn what the different computer components do and how they work. Find out how to determine what you need to buy for your business. He will also cover getting your system set up, operating, and ready to become a productive, valuable addition to your shop.

Personal Motivation and Business Development - Impacting the Bottom Line of Your Business -- Greg Esch, Goals Unlimited Consultants, Inc. How to develop the sales or selling relationship ­ nothing can happen until/unless you do just that.

Developing a 21st Century Marketing Plan - David Brooks, DB Communications. Marketing is all activities involved in creating customers for your business. To have effective marketing in the 21st Century, without breaking the bank, will require careful planning and appropriate use of traditional marketing vehicles such as advertising, direct mail, public relations, and a well-defined customer retention strategy.

Things I Should Have Done in My Shop that You Can Do, Right Now! - Sam Memmolo, SRM Marketing Services. Quick and easy ways to improve your business relating to shop appearance and attitude. This will be a discussion, not a lecture, so bring your opinions and suggestions.

12:30pm -- 2pm Luncheon with special speaker

2pm -- 6pm Trade Show Open

6pm 11th Annual All-Industry Reception hosted  by Filtran, a division of SPX Corporation

Saturday * October 31, 1998

8am -- 6pm Registration - Ballroom E/Las Vegas Hilton

Sponsored by:

9am -- 10:30am Seminars ­ Session 1 

Hydraulic Fun-Damentals -- Dennis Madden, ATRA. One  of the keys to diagnosing and fixing automatic transmissions is having a deep understanding of hydraulics and valve operation. Unfortunately, many people go through 10, 15 or 20 years of working on transmissions without understanding the fundamentals of hydraulics, or how to read an oil schematic. Why? Because it's boooring! In this program, Dennis covers some simple, easy-to-understand and interesting techniques for learning hydraulic fundamentals and reading oil schematics. Bring your calculator.

Ford's E4OD, 4R70W, AX4S and AX4N ­ Fixing them Right the First Time - Ford Motor Company. In this session a crew of service engineers will share with you the current fixes to the most common problems encountered - not only by Ford Motor Company - but on the ATRA technical Helpline.

Stick-Tricks Part I -- Mike Weinberg, Rockland Standard   Gear. Many late-model standard transmissions and transfer cases use state-of-the-art electronics and materials. Often times, a serious complaint is caused by nothing more that the wrong fluid type. Mike will cover these items as well as the latest updates and fixes on a wide variety of units.

Hiring Show! -- Bob Cooper, ELITE. Unlike any other seminar you've ever attended. Join us as Bob shows you, not tells you, how to build a team of superstars! You'll see how Bob finds the superstars, how he interviews them, and how he hires them. All ... right in front of your eyes!

Hiring, Training, and Managing a Transmission Shop Center  Manager -- Larry Kuperman, Summit Business Systems. A good center manager is critical to the success of any shop. In this seminar we will explore how to help him succeed. Whether you are the center manager, thinking about hiring one or would like to improve your current center manager's results, this seminar is for you.

Is Your Business Managing You? -- Mike Lee, Management Success! Tired of reacting instead of acting? Let Mike teach you the skills that will help put you back in charge of your business.

10:30 -- 11am Coffee Break

Sponsored by:

11am -- 12:30pm Seminars ­ Session 2

The 4L60-E -- Steve Garrett, General Motors Corporation. This seminar will highlight the operation, diagnosis, and repair of current concerns, as well as updates for the 4L60-E transmission. Heavy emphasis will be placed on the operation of the electronic control system, and time-saving diagnostic procedures you can use to fix this unit right the first time. In addition, mechanical and electronic updates will be covered for the 1997 and 1998 model years.

Ford's Electronic Powertrain Systems Diagnostic and Repair   Routines - Fixing It Right the First Time -- Steve Lavallee, T.E.S.T. Research Center. Steve will cover Ford's Electronic Powertrain System in detail and present easy to follow diagnostic and repair routines. He will also discuss specific driveability and durability concerns along with the proper steps to correct them. Finally, Steve will show you what tools and equipment his transmission shop/research support division and research department uses to quickly solve a variety of electronic concerns.

Stick-Tricks Part II -- Mike Weinberg, Rockland Standard  Gear. Mike will conclude this two-part program with the latest updates and fixes on a wide variety of standard transmissions and transfer cases.

Personal Motivation and Business Development - Impacting  the Bottom Line of Your Business -- Greg Esch, Goals Unlimited Consultants, Inc. Setting personal and business goals - where do you want to be three months from now? Greg will show you how to set a plan of action to meet those goals.

Verbal Skills for an Aggressive World -- Paul Morton,  GEARS. Does it feel like a jungle out there? Do you dread the inevitable encounter with the aggressive and angry customer? Let Paul teach you some of the verbal skills you need not only to survive, but to feel comfortably in control even in the most difficult of situations.

Developing and Implementing a Customer Newsletter Strategy - David Brooks, DB Communications. Carefully crafted and executed newsletters remain the most cost effective communications vehicles for building both customer loyalty and "brand" equity.

1pm -- 6pm Trade Show Open

Sponsored by:

1pm -- 6pm Binder Check Station

6:30pm ATRA Annual Member Meeting

Sunday * November 1, 1998

7:30am -- 4:30pm Registration - Ballroom E/Las Vegas Hilton

8am -- 1pm Trade Show Open/ Lite Breakfast (8-9:30 am)

Sponsored by:

1pm -- 2:30pm Seminars ­ Session 1

ATRA Testing & Certification ­ ATRA Certification is the sign of the professional for the automatic transmission rebuilding industry. ATRA's certification program is open to members and non-members alike. For certification information and to register, call ATRA at (805) 654-1700.

Exploring Honda's M4VA CVT -- Weldon Barnett, ATRA. There will be a fully disassembled CVT for you to personally inspect at this cutting edge seminar. This is your chance to learn by sight, sound and touch what this new design is all about, before it gets into your shop. Learn how the electronic, hydraulic and mechanical design of this unit sets it apart from all the rest. Thie principles of operation and diagnostic processes will be fully covered enabling you to handle this latest technology.

JATCO RE4/R4A. Nissan and Mazda, Pressure Control - Hydraulic and Electronic - A Rose By any other Name...its Just a 700-R4 -- Irvin Gers, ATRA. Instead of throwing more parts at these beasts, come see how they work. Learn to troubleshoot problems successfully, retrieve trouble codes, resolve pressure-rise problems...and much more.

Why are You Afraid of that E4OD (seminario en Español) ­ Adrian Gonzalez, GTP Volante. This program covers many of the needed rebuilding tips and procedures for rebuilding a better E4OD, and fixing it right, once and for all. Seminar in Spanish only.

The Science of Lubricating Transmissions ­­ Mark D. Ferner, Pennzoil Products Company. Learn the basic differences between transmission fluids and the direction OEMs are taking with future fluids.

Production and Sales - Are You Ready to Smooth out the Ride? -- Mike Lee, Management Success! Balancing front office sales and backroom rebuilds can make the difference between profits and losses, repeat customers, or angry ex-customers. Mike will share his tips on keeping a steady flow of production in your shop.

Managing Show! - Bob Cooper, ELITE. Unlike any other seminar you've ever attended, join us as Bob shows you, not tells you, how to keep your employees supercharged. You'll see how Bob motivates employees, you'll see how he reprimands them, and you'll see how he turns average employees into superstars! All right in front of your eyes!

Solving Transmission Shop Production Problems -- Larry Kuperman, Summit Business Systems. The shops that will thrive in the Twenty-first Century will be the ones that successfully meet the production challenges we all face daily. In this seminar we will discuss creative business solutions to many of the most commonly experienced production problems.

2:30pm -- 3pm Coffee Break

3pm -- 4:30pm Seminars ­ Session 2 

Pinpointing Electronics Problems the Easy Way (Seminario en Español) -- Adrian Gonzalez, GTP Volante. This program covers the diagnosis and testing of many common sensors, solenoids and components for many of today's most popular Domestic and Import vehicles. Seminar in Spanish only.

Exploring ZF's 5-speed Automatics -- Hans-Peter Bach, ZF  Industries. For years, factory information on ZF units was not available. ZF is now active in providing technical information to the aftermarket. This program will cover several of ZF's 5-speed automatics.

Diagnostics - The Thought Process -- Dr. William (Bill) He   nney. Ph.D. Bill will review the basic operation that applies to all transmissions, whether electronic or not. Then using a unique method of presentation, the participants will remind themselves of the basic diagnostic procedures that we all know (or should know). For those new to the industry, the learning experience will allow them to "leap frog" forward and for the more experienced, it will clear away the mystique and allow them to hone their diagnostic skills. Principals of operation and control are covered along with some unique ways of testing items such as sensors (Hall & inductive). Participant will be able to talk with clients and perform the necessary diagnostics accurately and with confidence.

Nuts and Bolts of Selling in the Transmission Industry - Greg Esch, Goals Unlimited Consultants, Inc. Sales material and techniques specifically for the transmission industry will be featured in this program designed by Greg Esch.

The Trouble with "Family" in Family Business -- Paul Morton, GEARS. Paul Morton will moderate a discussion that will focus on problems inherent in family operated businesses, and their possible solutions. Paul will solicit input from those in the audience and encourage an exchange of information between attendees.

Using ATRA Membership to the Fullest--ATRA Staff. For ATRA members and nonmembers alike. Learn how to save hundreds of dollars a year and build your business with ATRA membership Benefits.

Registration Form

TRANSMISSIONS '98 Checklist Make hotel reservations before 9/30/98: Las Vegas Hilton Hotel $135 s/d. Call: 1-800-732-7117 Make air travel reservations right away to get the best prices and flights, call Avenida Travel at 1-800-770-7040 Register to attend by 9/30/98 to get best rates. Mail: TRANSMISSIONS '98, 2472 Eastman Ave #24, Ventura, CA 93003-5776 Fax: 805-654-0438 Call: 1-800-854-8263

Enjoy Exciting Las Vegas!