Training the key to convention success

 
Wire & Gas, the biennial show hosted by VASA (Automotive Air-conditioning, Electrical and Cooling Technicians of Australasia) is now more of an intense training and knowledge gathering event than talk-fest, and it’s obvious the punters like it that way.

With the help of an industry specific trade show, Wire & Gas is earning a reputation for having the largest number of the best trainers in one place at the one time – over the June long weekend every two years.

The 2010 Wire & Gas at the stunning Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, might have been down from the record 2008 convention in numbers, but there were more technicians from individual workshops, and more companies on the trade show stands than ever before.

Just under 300 technicians and exhibitor staff gave the event a big thumbs up, with the biggest complaint being that even over three days, it was impossible to go to every training session.

Those delegates who sent back survey forms were pleased with the event, praising the trade show diversity and the well organised training sessions run by ten of the country’s leading trainers ranging from agricultural machinery air conditioning to hybrids. Six of the trainers used vehicles as part of their sessions, greatly enhancing the experience for technicians.

VASA president Ian Stangroome implored delegates to put their newfound knowledge to good use in the workshop. He told them that the biggest benefit of the convention was to make lasting relationships which can reward businesses.
Convention committee chair, Mark Mitchell considered the trade show to be the best collection of technology ever seen at Wire & Gas. “It’s truly amazing to see the range of work done by the people at this convention,” he said. In their review of the industry’s future, keynote speakers Grant Hand (air conditioning) and Jack Stepanian (electronic systems), had two strong messages – smarten up the way you run your business and don’t be afraid of technology.

Jack Stepanian implored the delegates to ‘stand up straight and proud’.
“You’re not in the business of fixing cars, you are in the game of helping people maintain a safe car on the road.  The value of your knowledge and that of your workshop demands great respect from the customer, but it’s up to you to sell it.
“The future is so bright. With something like 1200 trouble codes at last count, it is actually getting easier to isolate problems. It’s almost like following your nose, but unless you give yourselves at least two hours every week to ‘play’ with technology, you may not make it,” he warned.

Grant Hand got down to the basics of workshop presentation.  “Business is not easy any more, and you have to worry about every little thing, from the customer parking to the condition of your toilets.”

He advised delegates to pay closer attention to every form of communication.
“You have to network. You have to gather information.  If you don’t access information you are going to lose ground. “Your product has to be different. Do a SWOT analysis because so many workshop owners have walked in the same door for 20 years and can’t work out what really needs to be done,” Grant added.
Grant was later honoured with the 2010 Pioneer Award by VASA for his contribution to the vehicle air conditioning industry.