Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2021 66 I t has been a long year, made even longer by the situations we've all been working under. In a normal year we'd be able to take a break while dedicating our minds to building a better company at the United Appliance Servicers' (UASA) Annual Service Training Institute (ASTI). However, ASTI2021 was significantly impacted by travel bans and Covid concerns, so rather than invite members to yet another web meeting, the decision was made to cancel ASTI in February. The main event of the year for UASA, like many others, was cancelled with no idea of what was next. And so the year dragged on. In truth, all of us at UASA have been working hard to try and carry on with business and provide training to our members. We were devastated when we arrived at the realization that ASTI just could not happen. Nevertheless, we continued to think of ways that we could reach the membership and keep some momentum going. Out of that effort, ASTILite was born. The concept came prior to the pandemic with its travel bans and other restrictions, so adjustments had to be made. The work in progress became a working challenge. After a long year of nothing special and nowhere to go, UASA is proud to announce our newest training concept – ASTILite now has a date and a location! This event will be an opportunity to scale down the typcial week- long ASTI and offers a much slower pace. This shortened training session will be held in San Antonio, Texas on July 15-17, 2021 and will come with some familiar concepts as well as some completely new ideas. Travel bans are still in place for many of our supporting companies, so ASTILite will add more networking opportunities in a shorter timeframe. Looking to simply train and network? ASTILite will be perfect for you. The advantage of the event is that it will limit the time you're away from your business, while still giving you a much-needed break from work and a chance to develop yourself professionally. Spend three days in the company of knowledgeable instructors and network with those who've shared the same struggles in 2020 and 2021. ASTILite will take key elements from ASTI and condense them. Technical and business courses will be offered each day with workshops and brainstorming sessions added throughout the event. Join your peers, learn and listen as industry leaders and familiar faces conduct classes that will help you build a better business and discuss issues that challenge us all. Listen as we discuss topics such as the best way to advertise for employees, how to manage your business web presence and how to become an effective leader. The challenges of the past year have made it difficult to keep in touch with others in the industry. Networking activities at ASTILite will offer you an opportunity to reconnect. Just like at ASTI, activities will be hosted by our sponsors, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to talk with vendors at our "Dine with a Vendor" event. Sign up to "Dine with a Vendor" and get quality time to ask the questions you want answered. Hate waiting in line at the trade show only to get a few questions answered over all the noise? You will not have to at ASTILite. "Dine with a Vendor" offers a relaxed opportunity to meet and speak with a vendor of your choice during one of our scheduled meals. Reserve your seats while they last. Plus, no trade show means your evenings are free to explore San Antonio and dine with friends old and new (hence that networking thing mentioned earlier). Due to social distancing recommendations and hotel space restrictions, there is limited availability so register now at www. ASTI.us and take advantage of the discounted registration rate as well as those airline credits from last year's cancelled trip. With no time for banquets and awards this year, let this be the first step toward getting the post-Covid "you" back on track as ASTILite will leave you refreshed both personally and professionally. For more information go to ASTI.us or call 800-683-2558. S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T Renee Galioto is co-owner of Island Appliance Repair in Wilmington, NC. Renee and her husband Patrick have ten technicians covering three counties and have served this coastal community for more than twenty-five years. RO ASTILITE 2021

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