Shifting gears: Insights and innovations from the Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference
The AIA Canada National Conference was held on March 19, 2025, as part of the Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference (CAIC), where auto care sector professionals from across the country got together to network and attend future-focused sessions from subject matter experts.
To start the day, AIA Canada President and CEO Jean-François Champagne, CAE, gave attendees insight into the here, now, and next of the auto care sector, about AIA Canada, and how our advocacy and initiatives aim to ensure the longevity and success of the industry.
“Collectively, we have experienced that what has worked before may not work tomorrow. We are continuing to drive innovations and focus on the fact that we experience rapid change.” said Champagne.
Determining solutions and strategies for the labour market
Soon after, panelists gathered on stage to talk about the labour market, and whether or not immigration and attracting global talent is the solution to the labour challenges the industry is currently facing.
Moderator James Channer, CEO of InMotion Brands, was joined by Tony Kuczynski, president and CEO of Mister Transmission, Paul Prochilo, CEO of Simplicity Car Care, Susan Mowbray, partner consulting, MNP, and Karim Mouldi, president of Canari Recruitment International. Attendees gained valuable insight into the impact of immigration on the labour market and widespread industry initiatives that can effectively tackle the skills shortage.
“One of the things we are seeing is the risk to the economy in general. We have a demographic problem—there are not enough young people, so we have to look globally in order to address this skills shortage.” said Mowbray.
“However, we have to ask ourselves—where is the right place to find this talent? We need the evidence, and we need to develop our immigration policy that way. To ensure success, we need to make sure we are advocating for an informed decision rather than a political one.”
Concurrent sessions let attendees choose their path
After a brief networking break, three concurrent sessions were offered twice throughout the morning to allow attendees to sit in at least two out of three sessions of their choosing this year. These sessions dove into challenges and trends that affect the industry today.
One of the three sessions, Empowering women in leadership: Building personal brands and fostering inclusive environments for growth, was led by Susanne Morello, senior vice president of marketing North America at Mevotech. Throughout this session, Susanne explored how gender equity and a strong personal brand can drive career progression and help women navigate challenges in male-dominated industries.
Additionally, she provided attendees with practical strategies for attracting and retaining women in leadership roles, including mentorship, networking, and fostering inclusive cultures that support growth and advancement.
“Mentorship matters. It does not need to be formal—it can be within community, support groups, departments, business, or outside of your organization. Women who have strong mentorships as part of their development are in a far better position to be able to navigate their way through the next stage of growth.” said Morello.
Another session, Balancing the scales: Time management and burnout prevention for leaders, provided young professionals with strategies to answer the age-old question: Do I work to live, or do I live to work? Led by National Sales Manager — Aftermarket at CARFAX Canada, Charles Fordjour, he explored practical strategies for effectively managing time and maintaining productivity while prioritizing mental health to prevent burnout.
“We are all here for an important reason to advance our organization’s mission for our business, however, your professional aspirations cannot come at the expense of your loved ones. There is no justification for it. They need you in their lives, and they need the time, so you got find a way to make it work and to balance that out.”
In the final session, What does this button do? Consumer experiences and expectations of vehicle technology touched on market research and data. Rick Nadeau, president of Quorus Consulting, addressed increasing repair costs of complex systems and their impact on consumer satisfaction.
“In the minds of Canadian vehicle owners, when it comes to these safety related technologies, they are more likely to go to a dealership than they are to the aftermarket”
With this session, attendees were able to gain a deep understanding of the broad implications of emerging technologies and how businesses can align with consumer preferences.
AIA Canada recognizes excellence with industry awards
During the lunch and networking break, attendees gathered to honour 2025 industry award recipients.
The AIA Canada Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes outstanding service and leadership that contributes to the growth of the auto care industry, was awarded to Bob Jaworski, president and CEO of Auto Electric Ltd.
Shortly after, we honoured Kari Hann, marketing and digital communications manager of Specialty Sales & Marketing, for being awarded Young Leader of the Year, recognizing her exceptional leadership, innovation, and dedication to the industry.
Andy Murphy, business development at Modern Sales Co-op, was awarded the AIA High Fives for Kids Foundation (H5s4Ks) Distinguished Recognition Award, recognizing his years of contribution to the H5s4Ks Foundation and commitment to improving the lives of children in local communities across Canada.
The road ahead: Top trends in the auto care sector
Following lunch, attendees were able to view a live edition of AIA Canada’s vodcast, Curbside Chat, where panelists talked about what is shaping the auto care sector today, such as labour challenges, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), and global politics.
Host Lorraine Sommerfeld was joined by Mathew Growden, independent consultant, Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of Auto Care Association, and Trevor Tennant, president of Piston Ring Service.
“Technology has never been more prevalent, and people are starting to truly embrace this technology. While it is intimidating, there are avenues for them to try it themselves. During the pandemic, some people had no choice. It is being embraced.” said Hanvey.
The future of vehicle technology
As vehicle technology evolves at an incredibly rapid pace, there are clear questions and concerns that industry professionals may have. Steve Greenfield, CEO of Automotive Ventures, provided strategies and advice to help answer those questions.
From AI driven innovation and subscription services to autonomous vehicles, attendees gained valuable insight on how they can stay ahead of the curve with vehicle technology and how to effectively create new opportunities.
The impact of politics on Canada’s auto care sector
With the federal election approaching, AIA Canada’s Vice President of Government Relations, Emily Holtby, was joined by Founder and CEO of Abacus Data, David Coletto, to talk politics, polling data, potential implications for Canada’s auto care sector, and how the election can affect businesses across the country.
“What does precarity look like? 68 per cent of Canadians are worried about the ability to afford their basic needs over the next six months. 70 per cent say they are delaying major life purchases like buying a car due to financial uncertainty, 69 per cent are also concerned about climate change.” said Coletto.
To close off the event, AIA Canada’s Chair and President and CEO of Mister Transmission, Tony Kuczynski, presented the closing remarks.
“I am very honoured to accept this role of incoming chair. Despite all the change in the industry, one thing you can feel good about is this Association. You are represented so well. The future looks stable for us. We have an exciting and vibrant association, and I could not be prouder. I am very excited to see what we can do together, and it is all going to be very important—advocacy, insights, and more. Thank you to all of you.”
Later in the evening, the industry-wide networking reception took place, where attendees had the opportunity to mix and mingle with auto care and collision repair professionals. As part of CAIC, CCIF Toronto took place the next day, where collision industry stakeholders gathered to learn the latest insights about human resources (HR), vehicle technology, and profitability.