The AIA Southern Alberta Division presented the Knowledge Exchange Series at the Delta Calgary South Hotel in Calgary, Alberta on September 13.

It was a pretty full day of presentations that were important for those in the Automotive Aftermarket to listen to and learn from. We all know change is coming and we need to be ready for it. This event told about what’s ahead that will disrupt the industry and maybe your shop’s business. In addition, attendees would hear about their customers or the customers that got away. And are they going to the dealerships?

France Daviaut of AIA first up and spoke about the ‘Future Direction of AIA and the Aftermarket’. James Carter followed her with the presentation entitled ‘Will the Automotive Aftermarket Be the Next Kodak?’ He asked those in attendance to really explore the issues and coming changes, then ask what your business will be then.

‘What’s Driving Your Customers?’ asked Rick Nadeau of Quorus Research. He went through what’s more important to your customer—price or quality? What are your customers buying online? What drives them back to the dealers?

AIA’s Andrew Shepherd summed up how your shop fared in comparison to other shops in his presentation ‘Shop Performance Benchmarks’.

And a panel presentation—‘What’s Keeping You Up at Night?’ rounded out the event.

The day offered a lot of good advice and some great questions from attendees.