What’s in It for Me?

by Evangelos “Lucky” Papageorg, AASP/MA Executive Director

Well, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering where January and February have gone!

AASP/MA hit the ground running and is gearing up for another successful year. More shops are moving forward from “Breaking Free in ‘23” to “Getting More in ‘24” and positioning themselves to “Thrive in ‘25.” These goals are no longer just hopes and aspirations for many member shops in Massachusetts. They’ve become a mantra – a vision of attainable success for collision repairers who apply the knowledge and make use of the support, benefits and camaraderie provided through membership and participation.

2025 truly holds the potential to be a turning point for hundreds of shops across the state that understand joining an association shouldn’t be driven by the shallow “What’s in it for me?” mentality. Membership is the vehicle that facilitates continuous improvement by fostering mutually beneficial relationships – the foundation of thriving success. Our association connects individuals who wouldn’t normally interact, creating opportunities for idea-sharing that lead to collective success.

AASP/MA does a lot for both consumers and collision repair shops, as well as affiliated industries. However, it’s important to remember that it’s a two-way street. Those who join the association solely driven by their concern for “What’s in It for Me?” don’t truly reap the full benefits of the relationships developed with colleagues who genuinely want everyone to succeed. Real success stems from education – staying current on technological advances, repair procedures, legislative changes that benefit consumers and collision repairers and actively supporting such legislation when needed. Shops that participate and implement what they’ve learned see the benefits more quickly. They understand that their responsibility is to contribute, rather than continuously ask, “What’s in it for me?”

I’ve heard time and again that the knowledge and relationships gained by attending local and regional meetings are key reasons why many shops are seeing steady improvement in their businesses. AASP/MA provides valuable resources, not only through local interactions, but also by participating with other state and national associations. This network helps filter important information and makes it accessible in ways that can lead to meaningful changes – changes that positively impact your business, your life and the lives of your employees. That’s an invaluable answer to “What’s in it for me?”

For those who need more tangible, financial examples of membership benefits, consider the programs that can nearly eliminate the cost of your yearly membership. We offer a cost-effective healthcare program, dental and vision care, IT and consulting services through our Vendor Affinity Program (VAP) sponsors and money-saving discounts on credit card processing, just to name a few. As a member, your shop is also listed on our website’s map, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

Ultimately, we all understand that it’s about the money. Whether it’s labor reimbursement rates, parts discounts, P&M issues or procedural reimbursements, AASP/MA will continue to address these issues on behalf of all shops – members or not. There’s a saying: “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” Being an “ALLIANCE” member is a crucial part of the solution. Every shop that renews their membership in 2025 understands the importance of adding their voice to the strongest – and ONLY! – group in Massachusetts fighting for both consumers and the collision repair industry. Every renewing shop and new shops who join the membership strengthen our collective influence. For each shop that joins, we add an average of 13 members through the employees we serve. Multiply that by the families of those employees, and our growing numbers help amplify our impact. This collective strength was instrumental in the creation of the Auto Body Labor Rate Advisory Board (ABLRAB) – an incredible achievement. For the first time, we will have a seat at the table when fair and reasonable labor reimbursement rates are discussed. That is HUGE!

If you’re not yet a member (and no, this isn’t an attempt to shame you, but maybe it is), don’t sit back and wait for others to do the work from which you’ll ultimately benefit. DON’T ask “What’s in it for me?” Instead, go to page 7 or visit our website at aaspma.org and click on the “Join Now” button. Do it now; be part of the solution!

If you’re still wondering “What’s in it for me?” or if you have questions about membership, feel free to contact me directly. I’d be happy to share all the opportunities you’re missing out on.

All of us at the “ALLIANCE” want you to “Thrive in ‘25.” When you learn how to thrive, we all thrive!

Want more? Check out the March 2025 issue of New England Automotive Report!