The 2017 AARDA (Alberta Automotive Auto Recyclers And Dismantlers Association) annual meeting was held Sep 22- 23 at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino in Calgary.

On Friday, the AARDA board meet with executives from major body shop groups and data providers. The purpose was to discuss how members and the shops can work together to increase the used part usage in Alberta. A key success to come out of the meeting will be greater communication between AARDA members and their collision shop customers.

Saturday was the convention. It opened with a presentation from Michael Wilson, the CEO of ARA. Wilson discussed OEM negative advertising against used parts and that the recycling industry and other key automotive stakeholders need to work together to tackle this issue.

The Tundra Take Back group updated members on the important work being done in northern communities to help clean up abandoned vehicles. Two members of AARDA, Sara Brophy from Lake City Service and Calvin Kennedy from Aldon Auto Salvage, volunteered their time to travel to these communities and work with the local people.