The Aftermarket Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), a community of the Auto Care Association, presented the 2023 Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education, to Paul Louwers, president of Automotive Video Innovations (AVI) and The Group Training Academy. The award was presented on Oct. 29 by AWDA Vice-Chair Dan Hanson Jr. at AWDA’s 2023 Annual Conference in Las Vegas.
AWDA’s Art Fisher Award for Excellence in Education is presented annually to an aftermarket company or individual that demonstrates outstanding commitment to education and training, either within their organization or throughout the industry. Given in memory of former AWDA Chairman Art Fisher, the award grants scholarships in the name of the award winner to two students enrolled in the automotive aftermarket management program at Northwood University.
Paul Louwers is the CEO and co-founder of AVI, located in Fort Myers, Florida. Since 1994, he and his wife, Sherry, have been taking automotive education to the next level by releasing modern and detailed training videos. AVI creates training for the automotive industry with an area of expertise in developing and producing relevant content for service and repair centers, parts manufacturers, parts distributors, and automotive schools. AVI has been recognized by automotive industry leaders numerous times and has won several awards for excellence in training.
Automotive Video began producing content solely utilizing DVDs, however it was in 2010 when Louwers recognized what was coming and evolved to digital. It was then that AVI On-Demand Online was born. Offering training-as-a-tool assessments, companies could manage their entire staff with groupings.
In addition to being the driving force behind the award-winning GROUP Training Academy, AVI also hosts BOSCH online content, as well as is a key player in the Mobility Garage every year at AAPEX.
Louwers stays on the leading edge because he is always pursuing networking opportunities from top professionals, and always looking for content development and instructors.
But online training is not the only commitment he makes to the industry. Louwers believes in hands-on training because it is important for technicians to use their hands. He facilitates leader-led, hands-on seminars for professionals because it engages more senses in the training.
Either online or in person, AVI continues to provide the aftermarket with high-end training making certain the technician can apply that training and truly be able to fix a vehicle when they leave.
