Raising the Standard: What We Took Away from Vision, ATI, and ShopFix Q1 Events

Posted on April 10, 2026 in Blog

The early 2026 auto repair trade show season was full of energy and all about human connection. At Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo, the focus was clear: education, growth, and the next generation of the industry. We spent quality time with students, young technicians, and shop owners all thinking about what’s next for the remainder of the year. One of the biggest highlights was partnering with Lucas and David from Changing The Industry Podcast to send Kaitlyn, apprentice at Ten Pin Motors Tire Pros, to the event through our Future Tech of the Trade scholarship. This gives her the opportunity to learn, connect, and experience the industry beyond her daily shop environment.

As Kaitlyn put it, "There were so many great things I got to do this week. I think one of the most valuable pieces I will take away from this weekend was meeting Luke Murray from WorldPac. He challenged me to be curious and to venture out and try things on my own. I would encourage other young apprentices like me to seek out training and mentors to grow and learn. Coming to events like VisionKC has so much potential beyond what's taught in the classrooms. Put it on your calendar to get here if you didn't this year! Thank you Shop-Ware and Changing The Industry for this amazing opportunity."

That’s exactly why investing in the next generation matters. Events like Vision don’t just build better technicians, they build confidence, curiosity, and connection. When young professionals are given the chance to learn from industry leaders and step outside their comfort zone, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens the entire industry. Between those conversations, connecting with shops about their goals, and hosting an after party for attendees to let loose, the energy was all about growth and possibility.

At ATI SuperConference and the ShopFix Academy spring conference, that same mindset showed up in a different way. These events are built around leadership coaching, and you can feel the impact its made on these forward-thinking shop owners. We spent a lot of time with customers, walking through new CRM features and analytics reporting that is specific to ShopFix members, all while discussing what they hope to see next to keep improving their business. Coaching groups like ATI and ShopFix challenge shop owners to take a step back, evaluate their processes, and lead their teams more intentionally. That kind of accountability is what turns good shops into great ones.

This specific ShopFix event was especially meaningful, as the community came together to honor the life of ShopFix Academy Founder and CEO Aaron Stokes and the impact he made on so many shop owners. Aaron was known for pushing people to look inward, to be honest about what was and wasn’t working, and to make the changes needed to build stronger businesses and better environments for their teams. His influence continues to show up in the way ShopFix members approach leadership, growth, and accountability.

Across both events, one thing stood out: the shops leaning into coaching and community are the ones raising the standard. They are investing in their people, refining their processes, and building businesses that last. That’s where we stay focused. Helping shops run smoother, communicate better, and deliver the kind of experience customers come back for.