Each year, Auto-Wares Group of Companies brings together automotive service professionals from across the upper Midwest to Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper Tech Expo. After postponing its 2022 Tech Expo from February to Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, Auto-Wares was excited to host its 25th Tech Expo together with its 2,750 registrants at the DeVos Convention Center & Amway Grand Plaza, in downtown Grand Rapids.
The Tech Expo provides training for automotive shop and store owners, technicians, service writers and anyone else looking to increase their knowledge in nearly all categories of the automotive industry. Training is provided by industry professionals in more than 15 categories, ranging from auto body, emission, chassis, heavy-duty, shop management and more.
“In addition to the best suppliers in the industry, we brought in some of the best technical trainers available anywhere. Our class offerings were very diverse – from base-line technician classes to the most advanced diagnostic classes being taught in the country. Heavy-duty, PBE, service writer and personal development classes were also presented with great reviews from our participants,” said Steve Helwig, director of training at Auto-Wares Group of Companies.
Also included, was access to a two-day trade show featuring more than 160 aftermarket suppliers and channel partners. “We have the best group of suppliers in the aftermarket, and the energy they brought to our event blew our customers away. Being able to finally be back in-person with our customers brought back that enthusiasm and reminded all of us of our partnerships in all levels of our businesses. We continue to pride ourselves on quality, service and relationships and Tech Expo took that to a whole new level,” said Jonny Dykstra, product manager at Auto-Wares, who also organizes the trade show floor.
Auto-Wares prides itself on making Tech Expo just as much fun as it is business. Friday evening, Auto-Wares brought in the Rooster Jones band, for an exclusive two-hour concert for attendees. Saturday evening, Tech Expo concluded with Casino Night – an evening of mock gambling, dancing and socializing. Prizes ranging from concert tickets to MacBooks and Yeti Coolers were given away to lucky winners. This year, Casino Night also turned into a 75th birthday party for Fred Bunting, owner of Auto-Wares Group of Companies. American blues legend John Primer helped celebrate the evening and close out the weekend with a special concert.
To watch a recap video of the 25th Auto-Wares Tech Expo, click here.
