iFLEX 2017 - Save the Date!
Once again, AOCA will be co-locating our annual iFLEX convention and tradeshow with the International Carwash Association's (ICA) annual The Car Wash Show. ICA is the nonprofit group representing the retail and supply segments of the professional car wash industry in North America and around the globe. Last year alone, the show attracted nearly 7,000 car wash, quick lube and related business professionals.  

iFLEX and The Car Wash Show 2017 will be held 
April 4-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Registration for iFLEX 2017 will open soon. Stay tuned for more details!
 
Visit the AOCA website to see photos and access presentation recordings from iFLEX 2016.
Learn More About New Overtime Rule Compliance
According to the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime rule changes, effective December 1, any salaried (a.k.a. "exempt") employee earning less than $47,476 will either need to be reclassified as hourly/non-exempt (and eligible for overtime) or receive a pay increase to the new minimum threshold.

To help you prepare for the new overtime rule changes, AOCA and Affinity HR Group have partnered to answer your questions. The " Complying with New FLSA Overtime Rule" webinar recording is now available for streaming.


If you would like assistance in understanding the rule change and how to remain compliant, please contact  Affinity HR Group  directly to schedule a consultation. They can be reached at (877) 660-6400 or  Contact@AffinityHRgroup.com .
Management Certification Course Recap
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Dallas Management Course! 

The following individuals participated in the Management Certification Course:

Zane Hamm, Lube Specialties LLC
Matt Webster, Valvoline Express Care
Jesse Bailon, Kwik Kar Lube & Tune
Michael Broadway, Chevron Fast Lube
Dru Baczewski, Central Park Quick Lube
Tyler Lindsay, Power Lube Express Auto Care
Josh Adams, Ron's Express Carwash & Oil Change
Richard Owens, Oklahoma Lube Associates L P
Jason Clark, Oklahoma Lube Associates L P
Nicte Hayes, Texas Express Lube and Auto, Inc.
Johnny Khamsiry, Texas Express Lube and Auto, Inc.
Sabastian Ramirez, Texas Express Lube and Auto, Inc.
Kadri Ng, Kwik Kar of Harker Heights
Nina Hays, LOJO Express Lube & Tune
Lacey Bonkofsky, Devine
Brian Wallace, Kwik Kar
Henry Rodriguez, Kwik Kar
Pete Rhymes, Kwik Kar
Michael Mitchell, Valvoline Express Care
Michael Stanford, Valvoline Express Care
Bobby Clark, Valvoline Express Care
Zachary Zeller, Your Location Lubrication
Ray Chaparro, Your Location Lubrication
Greg Fuesler, Lucas Oil Center
Tanner Wilson, Hollon Oil Company
George Villarreal, Hollon Oil Company
Rafael Benavidez, Hollon Oil Company
Dustin Latham, Valvoline Express Care
Jennifer Ramsey, Razorback Car Wash & Quick Lube
Rebecca Cadena, Quick Oil Inc.
Sal Ramos, Valvoline Express Care Austin NW
Domingo Olivares, Pit Stop Oil & Lube #1
Chris Penny, Sulphur Springs Autolube, LLC




AOCA would like to give a specials thanks to the course sponsors, Solid Start/True BrandMAHLE and PureCars

If you are interested in hosting a Private Management Course, please click here for more information.   
AOCA is Exhibiting at AAPEX 2016
AOCA is exhibiting at the  Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) , the premier global event for new products, business solutions, the latest innovation, extensive education and exceptional networking. Find the newest products and services, learn innovative skills and trends, and make connections that will grow your business and build your career.  

Exhibits: November 1-3, 2016
Sands Expo & Convention Center
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Stop by and visit AOCA at  Booth #37001 to learn more about the association and what AOCA has planned for members in 2017.
AOCA Partner, PISTN: Marketing Accelerated

Customer retention is an important part of maintaining a healthy business. It's cheaper to keep customers than to attract new ones, and the longer a customer stays with you, the more likely he or she will be to bring other consumers to your doorstep or your web site Click here for strategies you can use to improve your customer retention rates.

As an AOCA partner, PISTN: Marketing Accelerated offers AOCA members discounted services. Visit their member page to learn more .
Q&A with Affinity HR's Charlotte Jensen
Q: We hire a large number of hourly workers. Recently, about 50% of our candidates for hire are failing our drug tests. Should we be reconsidering testing them if it's weeding out too many?

A: It is always a good thing to know what drugs are on your screening panel. Some medically-approved medications will trigger your drug test and allowing medically-prescribed use could be considered a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Therefore, it is important to assess each situation. Also, obtaining documentation from the prescribing physician is important and, especially for businesses in states with legalized medical or recreational marijuana, having a clear policy about working under the influence and about medically-necessary drug use is important. 

That said, it is clear that the nation's current opioid addiction levels are putting pressure on business leaders as they try to maintain adequate staffing levels. Our best recommendation is that, barring medically-necessary drug use, maintaining a zero-tolerance drug-free workplace is critical to keeping your employees safe and your business productive and profitable. 

Learn more about AOCA's partnership with Affinity HR Group and how you can access custom support to your most challenging people management issues.
The 4 at 4 Webinar
Join Savings4Members on Thursday, October 27 at 4PM EST, as they present the "4 at 4" webinar series, highlighting the top programs, updates and news to help you optimize your member benefits. The "4 at 4" will provide exclusive insight about their vendors, member success stories and limited time promotions for you to unlock even more savings! There will also be exclusive webinar promotions valued at $750! 
A NEW Service from Ignite Payments
Not only is Ignite Payments saving members over $5,000 in annual credit card processing fees, they are offering a new service for you to access the capital you need to grow your business. Introducing Cloverâ„¢ Capital, a quick and easy way for you to get a cash advance in as little as 3-5 days. 
Fires Don't Always Start with a Lit Match
Fires that hit businesses come in all sizes. They can occur anytime, anywhere, and from a variety of causes. They don't discriminate. Spontaneous combustion, heating systems, electrical systems, smoking, poor housekeeping, the storage of flammables, and mechanical equipment failure continue to be the most frequent fire causes across all industries, and are often the result of missed opportunities to recognize and remove the hazard. But sometimes, hazards can be easy to miss.
 
Saving Money by Not Getting Advice
Low cost (or free) forms are readily available online, but using them for your estate plan is a clear example of "you
get what you pay for." Is a simple will sufficient, or should you utilize a trust? Is your estate large enough to require
specialized planning to minimize estate taxes? Do-it-yourself estate planning seems straightforward enough, but is the potential for an estate planning disaster worth the risk?