News Releases

Business Outlook Conference at NACE Automechanika offers auto industry leaders insight into technology, economy and Capitol Hill
IBM thought leader Dan Ricci headlines inaugural two-day conference to help distributors, suppliers, shop owners and managers strategize for the future

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Organizers of NACE Automechanika, the largest U.S. trade show dedicated to high-end technical and management-related training for automotive service and collision repair shops, will host the first annual Business Outlook Conference, offering parts distributors, suppliers, shop owners and managers insight into new technology, economic trends and the changing automotive landscape.

NACE Automechanika Chicago 2017

Featuring high-level thought leaders from widely recognized companies, the Business Outlook Conference will be a two-day event taking place July 26-27 each morning prior to the opening of NACE Automechanika at McCormick Place West in Chicago, IL.

Dan Ricci, global automotive leader with IBM Cognitive Solutions, will headline the event with a discussion on big data and analytics impacting the automotive sector. Additionally, Dan Hearsch, director with financial firm AlixPartners, will speak to economic trends impacting the automotive aftermarket. The two-day conference also will feature:

  • a panel discussion focused on telematics and in-vehicle connectivity moderated by Greg Potter, executive manager and COO with the Equipment and Tool Institute;
  • a peak at key legislative issues, "How Capitol Hill is impacting your business?" from Bob Redding, Washington D.C. representative with the Automotive Service Association (ASA);
  • a regulatory session, "Staying Compliant: Helping Shops and Distributors Avoid Costly Violations," presented by Charles Ayers, president of the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair.

"The Business Outlook Conference was developed to help attendees better understand the future of automotive. We hear a lot about connected vehicles, new fleet technology and crash avoidance systems," said Michael Willins, UBM Automotive Group content director and conference coordinator. "The technological revolution we are witnessing will change how parts are delivered, what parts are needed for vehicle repairs, the repair services that shops offer and the overall repair process. Rather than being fearful of what's coming, we think this creates a lot of opportunities for forward thinkers, and that's the goal of the Business Outlook Conference – to get them thinking about what's possible."

The conference will also showcase a special presentation from Mike Jones, president of Discover Leadership, who will help attendees "Win the Moment" personally and professionally. Mike will show attendees the value of being outcome focused in life and business.

The Business Outlook Conference will be a must-attend event for all distributors, suppliers and shop leaders. Register for only $99 and hear all six speakers across both days. Click here for a look at the complete agenda, including speaker details and session times.

The conference is one of many events taking place at NACE Automechanika designed to benefit automotive parts distributors and suppliers interested in working more closely with shop customers. The event provides matchmaking and concierge-serviced meeting times and spaces during the show in an effort to help attendees build business relationships. Rather than scheduling multiple trips for a sales force, distributors simply can complete a matchmaking profile and watch their schedule grow with valuable customer meetings. The service opens in May, and anyone registering for NACE Automechanika can indicate their interest in participating.

NACE Automechanika features more than 140 training courses covering a variety of mechanical management and technical topics at no cost. Free training continues on the show floor inside the OE Coliseum Training Theatre, through demonstrations on the I-CAR stage and at the Automechanika TRAIN Station. Not to be missed, more than 40 collision-focused courses are also available throughout the week.

There are several other co-located events taking place during NACE Automechanika including the annual MSO Symposium and the Advanced Technology & Diagnostic Repair Forum, as well as the Collision Industry Conference.  

You can view a full list of co-located events register for courses and receive a free expo pass at http://www.naceautomechanika.com/register. Additional courses and educational opportunities will be added to the July event in the weeks leading up to the show.

About Automotive Service Association

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. Headquartered in North Richland Hills, TX, ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. http://asashop.org/

About UBM Americas

UBM Americas, a part of UBM plc, is the largest business-to-business events and trade show organizer in the U.S. Through a range of aligned interactive physical and digital environments, UBM Americas increases business effectiveness for both customers and audiences by cultivating meaningful experiences, knowledge and connections. UBM Americas has offices spanning North and South America, and serves a variety of specialist industries with dedicated events and marketing services covering everything from fashion, tech and life sciences to advanced manufacturing, cruise shipping, specialty chemicals, powersports and automotive, concrete, hospitality, cargo transportation and more. For more information, visit: www.ubmamericas.com.

About Messe Frankfurt

Messe Frankfurt is one of the world's leading trade fair organizers, generating around €648 million in sales and employing 2,244 people. The Messe Frankfurt Group has a global network of 30 subsidiaries and 55 international Sales Partners, allowing it to serve its customers on location in 175 countries. Messe Frankfurt events take place at approx. 50 locations around the globe. In 2015, Messe Frankfurt organized a total of 133 trade fairs, of which more than half took place outside Germany.

Comprising an area of 592,127 square metres, Messe Frankfurt's exhibition grounds are home to ten exhibition halls. The company also operates two congress centres. The historic Festhalle, one of the most popular venues in Germany, plays host to events of all kinds. Messe Frankfurt is publicly owned, with the City of Frankfurt holding 60 percent and the State of Hesse 40 percent. For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com

The North American headquarters in Atlanta is currently producing eleven trade shows in the USA, Canada and Mexico across various industries. For more information about Messe Frankfurt, please visit our web site at www.MesseFrankfurt.us.

 

SOURCE UBM

For further information: Bala Vishal, +1 213 400 0733, Bala.Vishal@ubm.com, Kim Porter, +1 678 732 2435, Kim.Porter@usa.messefrankfurt.com, Jannelle Grigsby, +1 310 857 9020, autopr@ubm.com