BEDFORD, TEXAS, July 27, 2006 - The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) will honor its 14th class of Accredited Automotive Managers (AAMs) during the Automotive Service Association's (ASA) all-member convention, May 3-5, 2007, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn.

The convention format will combine the association's required governance functions with new networking opportunities and educational offerings, and will conclude with the AMI Graduation Ceremony hosted by ASA's annual "Celebration of Excellence" awards ceremony.

Holding the AMI graduation ceremony during ASA's convention creates a new and exciting atmosphere for graduating students. Following two years with Las Vegas as the host location for AMI's graduation, a new venue will provide convenient access to various regions on an ongoing basis.

"It is our hope to increase the number of students who participate in the graduation ceremonies as the location is rotated from year-to-year. This format will offer these additional benefits, while still providing students with an enjoyable environment in which to commemorate their accomplishments," said AMI Executive Director Toni Slaton, AAM.

In addition, ASA's convention will provide a platform for several association leadership activities including open meetings of the ASA affiliate assembly and board of directors; a State of the Association address by Ron Pyle, ASA's president and chief staff executive; and the installation of the new board. Students will be able to experience firsthand some of the association's initiatives. This quality environment is highly conducive to networking opportunities with peers, ultimately enhancing the value of the graduation experience.

The continuing education offered by the Institute helps automotive service and collision repair professionals improve their business management skills. AMI courses concentrate on five core areas of business management education: financial management, marketing and sales, operations and service, management and administration, and personnel and human resource development.

In addition to providing business management classes, the Institute offers the AAM designation, the industry's first business education accreditation. More than 1,200 students have graduated from AMI and earned their AAM.

AMI was established to answer the demand for continuing education tailored specifically for the business needs of the automotive service industry. The Institute offers the Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation, the first business management accreditation exclusively for the automotive service professional. To date, AMI programs have attracted more than 132,000 enrollments throughout North America. AMI is a not-for-profit educational foundation to which tax-deductible contributions can be made. For more information about the Institute, its curriculum, or EXCEL, please contact AMI at (800) 272-7467 ext. 241, or visit the AMI Web site at www.amionline.org.