AIA Canada National Conference

Schedule

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Registration: 4:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Networking reception: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Breakfast and registration: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Sessions: 8:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

Luncheon: 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Sessions: 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Registration

Registration fee: $250.00 plus tax

Registration includes full access to the conference including the networking reception on Tuesday evening, as well as all conference sessions, breakfast, a plated luncheon, and refreshments on Wednesday.

Agenda

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

4:45 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Registration
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.	Networking reception

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast and registration
8:30 a.m.	Opening remarks
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.	AIA Canada: The road ahead For over 80 years, AIA Canada has championed the Canadian auto care sector. Join AIA Canada’ senior leadership team, as they lay out the direction the Association is taking to continue to serve the auto care sector and its members in the years to come. Speakers: Jean-Francois Champagne, President, AIA Canada Alana Baker, Senior Director, Government Relations, AIA Canada Stuart Klein, Senior Director, Collision, AIA Canada Brendan Mullen, Senior Director, Digital Marketing and Communications, AIA Canada
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.	Session: To be announced
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.	Refreshment break
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.	Concurrent sessions Women in the aftermarket session Leading and driving results through relationship building It is now more important than ever to understand that relationships drive results in business. Forging trust within your team, and across an organization is imperative to execute change. This session will discuss how leaders can build these authentic connections, particularly in the current challenging environment. Speaker: Christine Botham, AVP of Automotive Lifecycle, Canadian Tire Corporation Young Professionals in the Aftermarket session Level up your LinkedIn LinkedIn is not just a recruiting tool; it is a powerful personal branding tool that very few individuals take advantage of. Jacki will reveal tips and tricks from her personal experience on: Getting past your excuses and insecurities Picking a purpose that allows content to flow organically Planning a sustainable posting cadence Creating effective, authentic, and relatable content Effective ways to gauge your success and keep growing Speaker: Jacki Lutz, Sr. Manager Global Marketing Communications, Sensata Technologies Market research and data session Canadian outlook and driving to an electric vehicle future Recent investments in expanding electrification are set to bolster light vehicle manufacturing in Canada as the industry moves more aggressively towards producing BEVs. These policy actions and investment shifts Canada towards expanding its automotive presence in the North America. We will explore these new investment activities and the exciting new opportunities while outlining potential risks amid the rapidly changing automotive landscape. With policy makers, vehicle manufacturers, parts suppliers and aftermarket players anxious to understand the complexity and implications of transitioning an internal combustion fleet to electric vehicles, the technological complexities and consumer concerns over adoption and affordability continue to be at the forefront of the automotive industry. S&P Global Mobility will provide a briefing on loosening production shortcomings due to raw material constraints, our macro-economic conditions and our view to the vehicle sales forecast for Canada. Speaker: Guido Vildozo, Senior Manager, Americas Light Vehicles Sales Forecasting, S&P Global Mobility
11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.	Concurrent sessions Women in the aftermarket session Breaking barriers: Inclusivity for women and men in non-traditional careers This session will offer a different perspective on how we can move towards more women in non-traditional careers while honouring men who walk this journey alongside us. We will discuss effective communication and mindset shifts to create a more inclusive environment. Speaker: Emily Chung, Owner, AutoNiche Inc. Young Professionals in the Aftermarket session Modern leadership and building a winning culture This session will discuss approaches to modern leadership, creating a high-performance culture, and attracting and retaining the best talent for your organization. Speaker: Sabrina Thring, Senior Vice President, Revenue Operations, Paint & Collision, Driven Brands Market research and data session The evolution of customer experience In a time of unprecedented change in the automotive industry, what drives an exceptional customer experience today, both from an end-user as well as an independent service provider perspective? What’s more, how quickly will electrification alter that relationship? Speaker: J.D. Ney, Automotive Practice Lead, Canada, J.D. Power
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.	Luncheon and awards presentation
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.	Focus on the future–Industry leaders’ panel The aftermarket is a constantly changing industry. It takes experience and expertise to anticipate and plan for the future. Join industry leaders as they share their insights into what lies ahead for the auto care sector in Canada. Moderator: Jean-François Champagne, President, AIA Canada Panelists: Mauro Cifelli, President and CEO, Groupe Del Vasto Steve Leal, President and CEO, Fix Network World Jasna Smiljcic, Sr Director and Country Leader – Canada, Gates Canada
2:20 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.	Session: To be announced
2:45 p.m.	Closing remarks

*Agenda is subject to change.

Speaker biographies

Christine Botham, AVP of Automotive Lifecycle, Canadian Tire Corporation

Christine Botham has over 20 years of experience across retail and automotive organizations with emphasis on operational process improvements and inventory management. She is currently responsible for managing automotive operations at Canadian Tire with a focus on lifecycle and assortment strategy for automotive parts. Christine has worked vertically and horizontally across organizations like Walt Disney, Indigo Books & Music, the LCBO, and Mevotech to create strategic supply chain and operational change – currently working on unlocking parts accessibility to Canadian Tire Retail and PartSource Store Network across Canada.

Jacki Lutz, Sr. Manager Global Marketing Communications, Sensata Technologies

Jacki Lutz currently leads all marketing communications for Sensata Technologies with 9 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket. Jacki has held key positions across multiple departments including marketing communications, e-commerce, product training, market intelligence and strategic marketing. In addition to driving key strategies, building successful teams and developing effective brand messaging, she has built a personal brand online that has helped her further her career and become a powerful ambassador for her company and also for the industry.

Guido Vildozo, Senior Manager, Americas Light Vehicles Sales Forecasting, S&P Global Mobility

Guido Vildozo has over 20 years of experience at S&P Global and its predecessor companies. He is currently responsible for managing the automotive vehicle sales forecasts in the Americas with a special focus on product planning and strategy and their effect on vehicle demand. In the automotive sector, Guido has worked in the areas of manufacturers’ product cycles, production capacity constraints, investment on capacity and import/export strategies. Finally, he puts his economics background to work by analyzing the political and economical landscapes of the Americas and their role on vehicle demand.

Guido frequently speaks on the state of the industry in the Americas.

Emily Chung, Owner, AutoNiche Inc.

Emily Chung started AutoNiche in 2009, a family-friendly auto repair shop in Markham. She is a licensed Automotive Service Technician, and Automotive Writer with various publications. She also teaches in the Automotive Business School of Canada at Georgian College and is currently completing her Executive MBA. Emily holds a degree from the University of Waterloo in Psychology and Business, and her previous jobs include Psychometrist and Human Resources Associate. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario (AARO).

Sabrina Thring, Senior Vice President, Revenue Operations, Paint & Collision, Driven Brands

Executive Finance and Operations leader with over 20 years of progressive leadership experience. Passionate about helping organizations drive through transformation and growth. Areas of strength include building high performance teams, operations, strategy, and Finance. She is Toronto born and raised and currently reside in Oakville, Ontario with my husband Charles and 3 very active children.

J.D. Ney, Automotive Practice Lead, Canada, J.D. Power

J.D. Ney is the Automotive Industry Practice Leader in Canada. He is responsible for day-to-day client service, providing Canada’s automotive decision-makers with reliable and actionable research insights utilizing the breadth of data available at J.D. Power today. Mr. Ney assumed leadership of the automotive research and consulting practice in 2017, providing our clients with critical benchmark performance across the entire vehicle shopping, purchase, delivery, service and long-term ownership.

Mauro Cifelli, President and CEO, Groupe Del Vasto

Mauro Cifelli is the President and CEO of Groupe Del Vasto. After joining the organization in 1994, he held a variety of positions in information technology, sales, customer service, eventually becoming Groupe Del Vasto’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Mauro has been active in the Automotive Industries Association of Canada at both the provincial and national level. He has also served as the Chair of the Governing Council of the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association and is a director and treasurer of the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Board of Directors.

Steve Leal, President and CEO, Fix Network World

Steve joined Fix Network in 2004 as a franchisee and owner of Fix Auto Cambridge, Ontario. In 2013, he became Fix Auto Canada’s largest shareholder, and later led the effort to purchase the global rights of the Fix Auto brand. In 2015, he took majority control of Fix Auto Canada Inc. and the global master franchisor, Mondofix Inc.

Under Steve’s direction, the Fix Network has added Speedy Auto Service, Minute Muffler & Brake and NOVUS Glass, ProColor Collision, SRP Products, NOVUS Plastic Polish, TAG Network and Speedy Glass USA to its Canadian and international portfolio.

Jasna Smiljcic, Sr Director and Country Leader – Canada, Gates Canada

Jasna Smiljcic joined Gates in January 2019 as the Industrial Replacement Sales Director, in Canada and brings over 20 years of experience in the industry. Since then, Jasna was promoted to Canadian Country Sales Director and recently to Sr. Director and Country Leader. Jasna has a teaching degree from the University of Banja Luka, Bosnia, a Canadian credit degree from Dun & Bradstreet, and a degree in business analysis from Humber College, in Toronto, Ontario.

Hotel room reservation block

AIA Canada is pleased to offer special rates starting at $175.00 plus tax at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre.

To book a hotel room:

Online: Book now

Phone: 416-244-1711

Block name: Automotive Industries Association of Canada

Rates eligible until Friday, March 31, 2023. Guestrooms will be subject to availability on a first come, first served basis.

Travel

Air Canada

Book online at aircanada.com and enter promotion code N966EHN1 to receive a 10 per cent discount on eligible fares*. The travel period begins Tuesday, April 18, 2023 and ends Wednesday, May 3, 2023. *Five per cent discounts will apply to standard fares, 10 per cent flex fares and up for North American travel.

WestJet

Book online at westjet.com/conventions and enter promotion code 4P4U6QP to receive a five per cent discount off Econo, 10 per cent discount off EconoFlex and Premium base fares for travel within Canada. The travel period begins Tuesday, April 18, 2023 and ends Wednesday, May 3, 2023. No discount will apply to Basic or Business class bookings. Travel Agents GDS promotion code: YBC68.

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