Automotive aftermarket professionals from across Canada recently met in Toronto to gain valuable insights from some of North America’s foremost industry experts. The event was the Automotive Industries Association National Conference, which took place on April 24 near Toronto’s principal airport. Participants had the option of attending either the main session or various breakout sessions, each offering distinct perspectives on the industry’s evolving landscape and strategies for embracing change.
The conference began with opening remarks from AIA Canada’s outgoing chair Shannon Spano. J.F. Champagne, the association’s president, then outlined the various threats and opportunities currently facing the automotive aftermarket. Alana Baker emphasized the significance of the right to repair movement in Canada.
A noteworthy panel moderated by James Channer, a board member of AIA Canada and COO of InMotion Brands, included Alan McClelland, the dean of the School of Transportation at Centennial College; Sylvain Seguin, president of Fix Auto Canada; Kevin Weaver, president and CEO of Georgian College; Shannon Spano; and Mauricio Zelaya from EY Canada. They discussed the findings of the Labour Market Research Report released at the end of 2023.
The breakout sessions covered three major topics. Todd Campau, the aftermarket product lead at S&P Global Mobility, explored vehicle trends in Canada, noting the stability in the number of vehicles on Canadian roads and shifting patterns in kilometres travelled post-pandemic. Stacey Miller, vice president of communications at Auto Care Association, discussed not only gender diversity but also broader diversity in the auto care sector as a strategy to attract more professionals into the aftermarket. Daryl Benton, the vice president of automotive aftermarket sales and marketing at Mann+Hummel, shared insights on leading change and overcoming resistance to it.
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During the lunch break, the conference presented awards to outstanding industry leaders. Bill Hay received the Distinguished Service Award, presented by Brad Shadick and Jason Yurchak, while Patrick Verriet was honored with the YPA Committee’s Young Leader of the Year Award.
A live episode of Curbside Chat was another highlight, featuring host Lorraine Summerfield alongside Paul McCarthy, president and CEO of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers; Sabrina Thring, brand president of the collision group at Driven Brands; and Chris Kinghorn, vice president of strategy and growth at UAP. The panel engaged in a lively discussion on critical issues impacting the aftermarket.
The conference concluded with a presentation from Doug Stephens, founder and CEO of Retail Prophet, who discussed the potential implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the automotive aftermarket, drawing parallels with its applications in other industries. The preceding evening, attendees enjoyed an informal networking reception.
The AIA Canada National Conference proved to be an enriching experience for all involved, offering a platform for industry leaders to share knowledge, discuss innovations, and connect with peers.
Words by: Craig Clowes
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