NEWARK, Calif. – WORLDPAC has reported that its second Supplier & Training EXPO (STX) was "an enormous success." The WORLDPAC Supplier & Training EXPO (STX) took place Jan. 12-15 at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Southern California.
The event, initially created as WORLDPAC’s vision to help customers better succeed in the changing aftermarket environment, was the second of its kind. According to WORLDPAC, this second annual event was eagerly anticipated following the success of the first event held October 2009 in Orlando, Fla. Due to the overwhelming support of WORLDPAC’s customers, the WORLDPAC Supplier & Training EXPO (STX) 2012 was double the capacity of the first event, the company said.
“Our 2012 Supplier and Training EXPO achieved the goals we set to further support our commitment to our customers and suppliers,” said Bob Cushing, president of WORLDPAC.
During the four-day event, more than 1,000 WORLDPAC customers from the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico attended exclusive technical and business training presented by more than 40 of the industry’s most respected instructors. The event kicked off Thursday evening with a cocktail reception, which provided an opportunity for independent service center professionals to network with their peers as well as suppliers, instructors and WORLDPAC’s management team. On Friday and Saturday, guests experienced full days of advanced level training followed by evening EXPO events featuring more than 80 manufacturers and an extensive tool and equipment show.
“The Training Program, taught by the industry’s leading instructors, provided our customers a comprehensive business and technical training curriculum designed to meet the demands of growing their businesses in a challenging business environment,” said Cushing. “The Supplier EXPO provided our suppliers, all world-class manufacturers, the opportunity to meet the industry’s leading automotive professional business owners, technicians and service writers to discuss their products and programs.”
Additional event highlights included special guest speaker Charlie Gorman, former chairman of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), who presented the group with a discussion of the changing aftermarket and predictions for the future; a raffle featuring more than 100 valuable prizes, and a Hollywood-themed EXPO, where a cast of celebrity impersonators rolled out the red carpet for WORLDPAC customers. The event concluded with a half day of training on Sunday before guests departed for home with knowledge designed to increase the success of their independent service center business. WORLDPAC says overall feedback from attendees was that the event was an invaluable experience and a resounding success.
