The holidays are over and the New Year has begun. What resolutions did you make this year? After all, we make resolutions — little promises to ourselves — that will help us to become better than we were last year. If you’re a professional technician, one of your resolutions should revolve around continuing your education and 2017 brings numerous opportunities for you to do just that. Here’s a list of some of the bigger training events coming your way in 2017.
MACS (Mobile Air Conditioning Society Worldwide)
February 15-18, 2017
Anaheim, California
http://www.macsw.org (click on “2017 training event)
One of the first events of the year is the MACS training event and trade show, being held this year in Anaheim, California at the Anaheim Marriott. This organization has a focus on the climate control segment of our industry and offers training for both the light duty and heavy duty markets. In addition, there will be presenters offering more generic fare –among them our own Tony Martin and Dave Hobbs. Accompanying that training is a trade show featuring over 70 exhibitors, including Motor Age.
With plenty to see and do in the area (it’s right next door to Disney), this event is a great break from the winter chills and is easily turned into a vacation/training and networking opportunity!
VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo
March 2-5, 2017
Overland Park, Kansas
http://www.visionkc.com
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, ASA Midwest is one again hosting VISION at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas. As an attendee and presenter at past events, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed by the quality of the training available at this event. In addition, the event has become almost an annual pilgrimage for technicians and shop owners from around the country who use the time to reconnect with old friends and network to meet new ones when classes are not in session. Attendees have the option of choosing daily passes for Thursday and/or Friday, a weekend pass for Saturday and Sunday, or the 4-day “Power Pass” that covers the cost of training for the entire event. A trade show is also co-hosted at the venue.
Insider tip: If you want to stay at the Sheraton next door to the convention center (home to all the after class action), you need to get those reservations in early. Even now may be too late! It’s that popular of an event.
Technicians Service Training (TST) “Big Event”
March 25, 2017
Tarrytown, New York
http://www.tstseminars.org (scroll down the home page to access the event link)
TST has been bringing quality training to the Northeast for many years now, thanks to dedicated volunteers on the TST Board of Directors. You’ll recognize their president, G. Jerry Truglia, from the many webinars we’ve done together and the numerous articles he’s penned for the magazine. Little known is TST’s commitment to its area members, supplying top trainers on a “circuit ride” if you will, hitting venues in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and finally home to New York, where the final session is also simulcast for the benefit of those that could not attend in person.
The Big Event is just that – their annual celebration of techs and training. This year, guest presenters will include Tom Rayk, Wayne Colonna, Mark Warren, and Scott Brown. The event has grown to the point a new venue had to be selected, so don’t go to Fishkill! In 2017, the event will be hosted at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, New York. Cost to attend the event has been kept to a minimum due to the generosity of corporate partners. $75.00 for a full day of training and that even includes breakfast and lunch!
Automotive Training Expo (ATE)
March 24-26, 2017
Seatec, Washington
http://atetrainingexpo.com
ASA Northwest hosts the annual Automotive Training Expo at the Doubletree hotel in Seatec, Washington, just a short ride from the airport. Event organizers have worked hard on growing the event with a focus on “quality, not quantity” and hosts a small trade show alongside the training program. While details for the event were not available at the time of this writing, I can certainly recommend this event based on the quality of the programs offered in the past.
NACE Automechanika
July 26-29, 2017
Chicago, Illinois
http://www.automechanikachicago.com
There is little doubt that of all the training events available to you, this is the largest. Last year, 2,000 technicians and shop owners came to McCormick Place for training and to see an international level trade exhibit. This year, it will be even bigger with the addition of ASA’s International Autobody Congress and Exposition, better known simply as “NACE”. The training event for mechanical repair attendees (that doesn’t mean you collision guys can’t come!) will be held July 27-29, and will feature a Who’s Who of instructors like John Thornton, Bernie Thompson, Jorge Menchu and too many more to list. Nearly 140 sessions will be offered over the 2 ½ day period and that doesn’t include what the NACE folks have on tap!
What really makes this event unique is the structure we’ve adopted for attendees. There is no cost for the mechanical repair training offerings to you – none. All you have to do is get there and cover your trip and meals. This one is a no-brainer guys and gals. You need to come to Chicago!
Chicago Area Networking (C.A.N.) Conference
September 22-24, 2017
Chicago, Illinois
http://www.asailcan.com
ASA Illinois has some of the best instructors in the business living in the Chicagoland area, and you can see them at their annual C.A.N. Conference, to be held at the Westin Chicago Northwest in 2017. In addition to great technical and management classes, a small trade show is also held to allow attendees to interact with suppliers and aftermarket representatives. New to last year, hands-on training was made available and is expected to return in this year’s event.
Additionally, ASA Illinois co-directors have worked hard to offer continuous training and networking opportunities to their members. If you’re a shop owner or technician, check out their main site at http://www.asaillinois.org for more info on how membership can be of real benefit to your business and career.
AVI Conference/AAPEX
October 31-November 2, 2016
Las Vegas, Nevada
https://www.aviondemand.com/avi-conference
AAPEX (and SEMA) are the largest industry trade shows in the U.S., and the folks at AVI co-host their annual AVI Conference at the Sands Convention Center the Sunday through Tuesday of Industry Week. So far, no information on the 2017 event has been posted (and understandably – it’s a long way off yet!) but if you have plans to attend the shows, make plans to attend this training while you’re there.
And be sure to check out the Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area during the day before you hit the Strip after class!
That's not all, folks!
While these may be among the better known training events, they are not the only ones available to you. More and more, your local ASA affiliates are hosting training of their own, and the aftermarket has boomed over the last few years with renewed commitments to training from companies like Federal-Mogul (Garage Gurus), Standard Motor Products, Gates, Carquest Technical Institute, NAPA, WORLDPAC and many, many more. Your local parts house should have information on local offerings you can take advantage of and if not, contact these companies directly to learn how you can have them come to you – or you can attend training at their dedicated facilities.
10 years ago, I used to complain as a technician that training opportunities were few and far between, or too costly to attend for the “working man”. That is no longer true, and no longer an excuse, to get the continuing education you need to stay on top of your game. I look forward to seeing you at one of these events over the coming months.
