It is no secret that critical mission data is now available! Attend ARA’s Annual Event to be an agent of change.
Let’s jump straight to the facts – and just the facts. Let’s face it, every year about this time in magazine articles and advertisements, and through official ARA e-marketing campaigns, we seek to grab your attention to register for the ARA Annual Event. The event is – fact – the largest international gathering of automotive recyclers and service providers under one roof. This year, with Canada and Europe removing all travel restrictions – fact – ARA expects event attendance to return close to pre-pandemic levels. With the draw of Orlando as the most fun-packed convention location ever – fact – ARA expects to see recyclers and their families enjoying the event and all the offerings of a fabulous family-friendly convention destination.
But, let’s be honest. The fact that auto recyclers are having the best two years in business in recent history may have them thinking they can afford to miss this event. Hey, when times are this good, we can’t leave the facility right? Wrong. The fact is, preparing for the rapidly emerging future in good times is exactly when you should be doing it. Our world is advancing at lightning speed, have you noticed? It is exhausting! All one must do is scan the headlines. You get the point.
The fact is you need collaboration, information and vendor services now more than ever. If your company is not fully automated, the time is now.
If you need better equipment, consider using your new profits to improve production. The world is moving fast, and vehicles are changing – fact.
Are you ready for ROE® parts contracts with big companies who require – fact – certifications to do business? All partnering industries need certifications to work on specific brand vehicles, why are we different? Is your team prepared to safely dismantle the amount of electric cars that will hit the auctions in the near future? The fact is, they are deadly. Do you have enough trained employees and support to overnight perfectly prepared auto parts to fulfill orders? The fact is, the consumer is now conditioned to return things that aren’t perfect (groomed to be so by Amazon during the pandemic). We have to do better at quality.
So while you are still enjoying the profits from your internal combustion engine inventory, let’s be real about its future. Consider this.
In a July 14, 2022 New York Times article, the headline read: “U.S. Electric Car Sales Climb Sharply Despite Shortages – A scarcity of semiconductors and raw materials held back production, but buyers remain enthusiastic.” And the opening paragraph says, “Americans are buying electric vehicles at a record pace, undeterred by rising prices and long waits for delivery, a further indication that the twilight of the internal combustion engine is on the horizon.” See you in Orlando? Yes, fact!
– Caryn Smith, Editor
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Owners, managers, dismantlers, sales team and staff will gain new ideas, tools and enthusiasm that can be carried back to your facility – so mark your calendar and make plans now to attend the 79th Annual Convention & Exposition to become an agent of change!
JOIN US FOR A Great EXPERIENCE!
As the automotive recycling industry continues to evolve based on recent events and technology, what better place to be than at the premier event of the professional automotive recycling industry!
ARA’s 79th Annual Convention & Exposition offers one-of-a-kind opportunities to learn of and see new products and services, experience outstanding educational sessions and network with colleagues!
We have assembled top-notch speakers and industry experts focusing on the topics that automotive recyclers need to know. This year, we will include sessions to provide you with the tools and information you need to take your business to the next level. Improve results by bringing several members of your team to attend multiple sessions and gain as much knowledge as possible.
Plenty of time is allowed for networking with your colleagues – which is when convention attendees indicate that they benefit the most through connecting face-to-face with old friends, meeting new people and sharing ideas and practices – in other words, “learning from fellow recyclers” – “getting outside of your box.” This year’s Tech Talk sessions provide a deeper look at the many technological tools and advancements available – helping you to operate more efficiently. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity.
IT IS NO SECRET THAT CRITICAL MISSION DATA IS NOW AVAILABLE! BE AN AGENT OF CHANGE!
Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022
7:30am – 8:00am Prayer Meeting
8:00am – 5:00pm Registration
8:00am – 9:00am Auto Recycling Training Institute Meeting and Scholarship Foundation
9:05am – 10:35am Affiliate Chapters Meeting
9:05am – 9:55am Annual Convention Educational Programming Committee
10:40am – 11:30am Interchange Committee
11am – 2:00pm FADRA Board Meeting
12:55pm – 1:45pm Awareness Committee and
Govt. Affairs Committee
1:50pm – 2:45pm Certification Committee
2:50pm – 4:05pm Membership and
Board of Directors Meeting
4:15pm – 5:15pm Opening Keynote
5:30pm – 8:30pm Ribbon Cutting and Past Presidents’
Reception & Expo Opening
Friday, Sept. 23, 2022
7:45am – 8:20am Prayer Meeting
8:00am – 5:00pm Registration
8:50am – 9:50am General Session: Recycler Keynote
10:00am – 10:55am Advantages of Being an Independent
10:00am – 10:55am Self Service Panel: Brand Marketing
10:00am – 10:55am The Power of Mentoring
11:00am – 11:55am Battery Panel
11:00am – 11:55am Culture of Accountability
11:00am – 11:55am CAR and Safety Compliance Assurance
Noon – 12:30pm Tech Talks: Car-Part.com; Hollander; Buddy; EZ Suite
Noon – 1:00pm Tech Talks: Self Service Panel
12:30pm – 1:00pm Tech Talks: URG, Power DB, Einstein Pricing, VIN Match Pro
1:00pm – 5:00pm Exposition Open with Lunch
5:30pm – 6:30pm LARA: Wine & Cheese Social
6:30pm – 9:30pm Networking and Awards Night “Tropical Paradise”
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022
7:45am – 8:15am Prayer Meeting
8:00am – 3:00pm Registration
8:30am – 9:30am General Session: Recycler Keynote
9:30am – Noon Exposition Open w/Brunch
Noon – 12:50pm Self Service Panel: Efficiency & Safety
Noon – 12:50pm eBay: A Support Agent of Change for the Automotive Industry
Noon – 12:50pm Building Relationships in the Data Field World
1:00pm – 1:50pm eBay Q&A
1:00pm – 1:50pm Building a Better Trading Group
1:00pm – 1:50pm HR Session
2:00pm – 2:50pm Convention Takeaways That Pushed Us to Succeed
2:00pm – 2:50pm Automotive Recycling and Critical Minerals
2:00pm – 2:50pm Challenging Sales in a Bull Market
3:00pm – 3:50pm Collision Industry Trends
3:00pm – 3:50pm Getting the Most out of a Core Program and What Qualifies as a “Good” Core
3:00pm – 3:50pm Self Service Panel: Commodity Recovery
4:00pm – 4:50pm Recyclers Roundtable
4:50pm – 5:10pm Closing Recap and Takeaways
5:15pm – 7:00pm Goodbye Reception
Convention Speakers (as of July 15, 2022)
Ryan Falco
Ron Wilbert
Marty Hollingshead
RD Hopper
Lee Worman
Mike Kunkel
Rob Rainwater
Sue Schauls
Shannon Nordstrom
Steve Barkwell
Garff Fitzgerald
Josh Brunner
Theresa Colbert
Alex Bechstein
Pat Huesers
Mike Meyers
Becky Berube
Chad Counts
Greg Horn
Ryan Mandell
Paul D'Adamo
Scott Stolberg
Mark Carr
Mike Pierson
Tom Andrade
David Gold
Scott Robertson
KEYNOTE: Dave Luehr
Elite Body Shop Solutions and author of The Secrets of America's Greatest Body Shops
A returning keynote speaker to ARA, Dave has his finger on the pulse of the collision repair industry and will present insightful information to convention attendees that can help them do business better. He focuses all his efforts on listening to what repairers need and spearheading an educational community of collision experts. Dave has devoted his entire career to inspiring and helping his international audience improve their businesses and their lives. ARA Convention attendees will discover the latest trends and challenges facing collision repairers today in his insightful presentation.
EXPO MISSION POSSIBLE!
As the most popular part of the ARA 79th Annual Convention & Expo, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to interact face-to-face with the companies and vendors that service the automotive recycling industry.
The ARA Expo – the largest of its kind – is a unique industry marketplace to discover innovation, automation and tools for business success.
ARA’s Exposition features the largest assortment of automotive recycling vendors under one roof. This is your best opportunity to directly connect with nearly 100 service providers to the automotive recycling industry.
• Discover new suppliers and vendors.
• See demos of the newest products entering the market, designed specifically for the automotive recycling industry.
• Receive personalized attention from new and current service providers.
• Leverage the collective buying power of your fellow recyclers to negotiate the best deal for your business.
• Take advantage of specials and discounts available only to ARA members.
The Expo Hall is a perfect time to schedule a meeting with current or potential vendors and service providers! You can find more information and a list of current Exhibitors at www.a-r-a.org/convention.
What speakers have to say about their sessions:
Alex Bechstein / EZ-Suite.com
Building a Better Trading Group
In a trading group, my customer is your customer and establishing trust is essential to group participation and long-term sales growth. We will be discussing what steps a yard can take to establish that reputation and participate in positive group culture. As Director of Operations for EZ-Suite, creator of the trading group software EZ-Runner, we provide our solutions to nine trading groups and 380 top performing yards across the U.S. and Canada.
Mike Meyer | Founder | PAM’s Auto, Inc.
Convention Take-Aways that Pushed Us to Succeed
The knowledge gained by attending the annual convention can be overwhelming at times.
By implementing ideas in a unique way, an attendee can effectively grow their business. The trial and error of three decades in business has proven that constant review of process is needed to have continued success.
Tom Andrade
Self-Service Panel: Commodity Recovery
Harvest More From Your Vehicles! This session will highlight various materials you can harvest and prepare from your vehicle hulks to maximize your financial return. We will highlight materials, equipment needed and potential markets to sell the material into. All the panelists represent high volume salvage yards that capture many different by products and sell into some different markets. I represent Everett’s Auto Parts; we process 35,000 vehicles annually and harvest all the materials that will be presented in the session.
Ron Wilbert
Building a Better Trading Group
Serving as the Director of Premium Recycled Parts Northeast for more than a decade I have been a part of the huge growth of numerous Independents. I want to review why we have the edge as Independents and why a succession plan will give you more peace of mind than a pile of cash.
Ryan Falco
Keynote: The Importance of Leadership
Fourteen years ago. I entered this industry as a delivery driver. Fourteen years later, I took on the role of President of Aesop Auto Parts which operates 12 facilities with over 400 employees. I can tell everyone that my leadership style has changed and evolved over the past 14 years. I have found the importance to be willing to adapt but more importantly be willing to always strive to be better and do not be afraid to constantly be evaluating your leadership style.
This session will focus on the importance of leadership within your organization and why the time is more important now than ever to be a strong leader within your organization. We will dive into the attributes that will take your yard to the next level by being a world class leader. In today’s changing environment we are seeing the importance of not being a boss but being a leader that your team can depend on and flourish under.