ABAT’s Holiday Gala Focuses on Legislative Goals for 2020
On the evening of Nov. 16, the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) hosted its 2019 Holiday Gala in San Antonio.
According to ABAT President Burl Richards, “The event could not have gone better. It was a great evening with over 100 people attending. Everyone had a great time engaging with one another, eating, dancing and participating in general.”
During the festivities, ABAT leadership discussed the association’s 2019 accomplishments and plans for 2020. Funds raised from the event will benefit ABAT’s PAC. Richards added, “Two legislators were in attendance, along with the local county sheriff, and they all spoke about the importance of consumer safety and how they are behind our efforts to make repaired vehicles safe and to change laws to help Texas consumers. They all expressed support for ABAT and our desire to repair vehicles properly and safely.”
ABAT’s 2019 Holiday Gala “absolutely went beyond our expectations!” Richards stated, adding “It was a great idea, and I want to give credit to ABAT Board Member Manuel Rubio, owner of Miracle Body & Paint in San Antonio, for coming up with the idea and putting the event together. This is why our association has had great success in a short time! Our board members are committed to making a difference in our industry and their willingness to get involved and help each other is what propels us and makes our association strong. We had several board members travel up to six hours to participate in the event – that is dedication, and we look forward to bigger and better things next year!”
Rubio was pleased with the Gala. He stated, “I want to thank everyone for a very successful First Annual Holiday Gala. The final numbers are not in yet, but I expect we will net over $12,000 for the event. These monies will help ABAT continue to push forward with our legislative agenda. Throughout Texas, we illustrate our commitment to work, learn and continue our educational efforts to perform as an industry to the highest levels of safety for all our Texas consumers. We are all together living and working on a great journey, to improve.”
ABAT is grateful to the many vendors who contributed to the event, “especially English Color and Supply whose folks came out on a Saturday, provided food and cooked for everyone,” Richards said. Additional vendors that generously supported ABAT’s Holiday Gala included English Color, Tasco Auto Color, Cavendar Toyota, Gunn Auto Group, Ancira Auto Group, Dents & Dings, Finish Masters, Color Tone Paint Company, Miracle Body & Paint, Hunter Equipment, Park Place Collision Centers & Auto Group, and Spurs & Entertainment.
Rubio added, “I want to thank all our sponsors for the Gala. These folks sponsored all foods, entertainment, drinks, prizes, security, bar tenders, etc. Without their support, we could not have had such a successful event.”
“These types of events bring everyone together to offer a beneficial opportunity for networking and camaraderie, along with the education component that we provide so that shops can unite and get to know one another,” Richards explained. “The hope is that these shops will feel comfortable picking up the phone and calling one another with any questions or concerns regarding our industry.”
For more information about ABAT, visit abat.us.
