Celebrating ARA’s Recent Accomplishments
From updating the Association’s Strategic Plan to developing the online vendor Buyer’s Guide, ARA is primed to lead the industry into the future.
By Jessica Andrews I
n a unique turn of events, Scott Robertson, Jr. has served as ARA’s president for two terms, as well as the three of four other ARA Executive Committee members. Last year, the addition of Nick Daurio filled the vacant spot. It was almost as if it was known what was coming for the industry and the world. This additional stability helped ARA deal decisively on initiatives during the most chaotic year in recent history. It has also allowed for the full-cycle of initiatives to come to fruition under this leadership. Needless to say, it has been a very busy two years. As the EC now resumes its rotation with Marty Hollingshead stepping into the role of president, let’s take a moment to review some of the highlights of 2020 and 2021 accom- plished for the industry.
STRATEGIC PLAN REVISION In early 2020, ARA announced an update to the Association’s Strategic Plan representing a direction that will guide current and future work. The plan was adopted by the ARA Board of Directors in July 2020. “2020 has been a game changer,” said ARA President Scott Robertson, Jr. “During these challenging times and given the unprecedented impact that a global pandemic is having on all businesses and industries, the direction out- lined in this Strategic Plan will help ARA continue to move forward. Much planning and strategic thought went into this document, designed to promote the professional auto- motive recyclers and their businesses for years to come.” ARA’s Strategic Plan is grounded in the Association’s mission to advance the automotive recycling industry and promote its beneficial effects on society. The Stra- tegic Plan identifies four strategic initiatives that are the means through which ARA plans to translate its vision into practice. The strategic initiatives focus on branding, non-dues revenue, government advocacy, and educa- tion/certification/compliance. Each of the four strategic initiatives outlines a series of implementation strategies which describe how ARA plans to commit its resources
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and goals that represent how progress and future success will be measured.
“This Plan is a representation of ARA as the eyes, ears and voice of the professional automotive recycling industry,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “With the direction and guidance the Strategic Plan pro- vides, and the support of our ARA volunteer leaders and members, I am confident that ARA is well equipped to meet any challenge that comes our way.”
ONLINE MARKETPLACE In the summer of 2020, ARA took the popular annual ARA Buyer’s Guide resource and trans- lated it into a new and improved online format. The traditional printed Buyer’s Guide, still being produced as a handy desktop resource, has been a mainstay of ARA’s member benefits package for many years, providing valu- able information to assist ARA
members in their decision-making process when shopping for industry products and services. It also brings value to ARA Associate Members who are featured in both guides. The new online guide (
autorecyclingbuyersguide.com/) is designed to equip automotive recyclers with current information and expanded listings at their finger tips.
HISTORIC VIRTUAL INDUSTRY EVENT As event after event were canceled in 2020, ARA rose to the challenge of a pandemic year to successfully launch the industry’s first-ever live training and trade show, the 77th Annual ARA Convention & Exposition “EDGE 2020.” It had almost 35 sessions and Tech Talks, over 30 speakers, 24 exhibitors, and networking chat rooms. “For the first time, we have the capability to help and engage with more auto recyclers than ever through the top-notch virtual platform, and bring the ARA Annual
Automotive Recycling
– Recycled Original Equipment ® ®
A LOOK BACK
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