As many of you know, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) was forced to postpone our late April 2020 meeting in Newport Beach, CA. Thankfully, we were able to work it out with the site hotel, the Hyatt Regency and have the 2020 ABPA Newport Beach convention rescheduled to 9/21-9/24, 2020.
As we get closer to the convention date, we will be working with the site hotel to ensure that our attendees have a safe experience. We will also be closely monitoring local guidelines for social distancing and events. If you have already registered for the ABPA convention or are planning to, I encourage you to regularly check our Convention Hub page where we will post the latest updates.
I am happy to report that despite the move to September, we will be offering a highly diverse schedule that promises to offer attendees value, education, and entertainment! Topics to be discussed include certified parts, trademarks, U.S. Customs issues, vehicle data and Partslink. We are also still offering attendees the complimentary harbor tour of the Port of Long Beach. Aboard the 90-minute narrated excursion, you will get close to operations at the second-busiest Port in the nation. You will also see towering cranes, the most advanced and green terminal in the world, new infrastructure projects such as the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement, and possibly even catch a glimpse of local marine life. For those looking for fun in the sun, we will be offering our annual golf tournament at Strawberry Farms. The Hyatt Regency is also near sunny beaches, shopping, and nightlife.
Finally, we are pleased to have been able to reschedule our annual Recycled Rides vehicle giveaway! This is a popular event where the ABPA works with the NABC and other sponsors to give a repaired vehicle away to a local family in need.
To register for the 2020 ABPA convention and to make hotel reservations with the ABPA discounted rate, please visit the ABPA Convention Hub page. While you are there, please click on the links to our convention sponsors who have been extremely generous during this strange year.
Looking forward to seeing you all in Newport Beach!
Ed Salamy
Executive Director – ABPA
