AUTOCARE 2023 – A RESOUNDING INDUSTRY SUCCESS

Autocare promised to be Australia’s largest and most valuable automotive training event, and it absolutely delivered on all fronts for our industry

I’ve just returned from Brisbane, and an incredible two days at Autocare 2023. The event exceeded all expectations, and was a resounding success. Technicians, apprentices and workshop managers from across Australia came to learn and develop their career, and invest in their future business prosperity.

Autocare’s program brought industry leaders and up-and-coming talent together, from across industry sectors, to create a shared vision for future success.

I am very proud to say Autocare brought together the largest collection of respected industry trainers ever seen under one roof in Australia, delivered world-class training programs unparalleled in quality and scope, and showcased an impressive trade show with Australia’s best brands.

With over 2,400 industry attendees across the two days, Autocare comfortably surpassed our inaugural 2018 event in both visitor and exhibitor numbers, and clearly demonstrated the important role the event has to promote and foster the future of our most valuable resource, our people. Both during and after the show I’ve had so many people speak so positively about the event. From the packed training sessions to the amazing atmosphere on the sold-out trade show floor, the event was buzzing, and it was so great to see everyone come together and share their optimism for the future of the aftermarket.

The Workshop Management program armed business owners and managers with the latest knowledge and practical advice to make a real difference to their workshop efficiency, sustainability and profitability. Our Technical Training program, headlined by renowned US diagnostics expert, Brandon Steckler, provided technicians and apprentices with a comprehensive program to efficiently diagnose, service and repair the latest vehicles and be prepared for the EV future.

The spectacular, sold-out Autocare Trade Show was a perfect complement to the Autocare training programs. With 100 of Australia’s best brands showcasing the latest tools, technology, equipment, and services, visitors were treated to a wonderfully engaging and inspiring trade show. Adding further value for automotive trade show visitors was the free training sessions on the Trade Show Training Stage.

I was pleased to see how energetic the Autocare networking activities were. With daily lunches and a buzzing Friday night networking event, I am sure delegates benefited from the fantastic opportunities to gain new contacts, and do business.

The inaugural National Light Vehicle Modification Summit, a brand-new initiative, was groundbreaking for the vehicle modification industry, and a resounding success. The event attracted the top vehicle part and accessory developers, modifiers and regulators from across the country, who came together to collaborate and influence national vehicle standards. Based on feedback from attendees it is likely that this Summit will now become a regular feature on the industry calendar. With an event the scale of Autocare, there are many people to thank. Firstly, to all of our incredible speakers and trainers, and our amazing collection of exhibitors, thank you. Our event partner MSE Events Group did an amazing job to ensure the event was delivered to the highest quality. Thank you also to our Platinum Partner mycar Tyre and Auto, our Diamond Partners Brembo, Gates Australia and Supercheap Auto as well as our supporting sponsors Warren and Brown Tools, SmartPay, CoolDrive Auto Parts, ZF Aftermarket, Marlin Tyre and Mechanical Workshop Software, Repco Authorised Service, Auto Tech, Anstel, AB Phillips, Vero and Costar. Thank you to the AAAA Board for their vision and support of Autocare, and to our AAAA team for their amazing efforts in collectively delivering an absolutely world class Convention. Lastly, and most importantly, thank you to all of our delegates, and trade show visitors who took part in Autocare. It was inspiring to see so much passion from our visitors, who were hungry for new knowledge and skills to better themselves and their businesses.

Autocare 2023 now sets a wonderful foundation for Autocare 2025, and our preparations for our next major event, the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo which will be held in Melbourne from the 21st to the 23rd of March, 2024.

Stand sales have commenced for the Expo, so to secure your space, contact Cameron McLachlan at cameron@aaaa.com.au

On a separate note, AAAA members should now have received their Membership Renewal invitation. Our steadily increasing membership numbers demonstrate that more and more of your industry colleagues are enjoying the direct benefits of membership and want to be part of the association that is the Voice of our Industry. I would like to thank our members across Australia, small and large. You continue to inspire us, and we appreciate your ongoing support.

WHAT’S NEXT?

If I asked you to list your greatest achievements in business in the past 10 years, what would you say?

Perhaps you’ve opened a new workshop, employed more technicians or exceeded turnover goals.

Every business’ answer would be slightly different, but no less important to the individual.

I ask because, on 1 July, we celebrated the International Day of Cooperatives, which marked 10 years since the release of the International Cooperative Alliance’s “Blueprint for a Cooperative Decade.”

It was an ambitious project with admirable goals, including furthering “the economic and social progress of people, thereby contributing to international peace and security” and promoting “equality between men and women in all decision-making”.

A decade on, the follow-up report suggests that on everything from inequality to poverty to tackling climate change, cooperatives are doing an awful lot for the greater good.

It got me thinking about what we have achieved here at Capricorn over the past 10 years.

For example, our membership has doubled from 13,000 in 2010 to more than 25,000 today across Australia and New Zealand.

In 2014, we launched Capricorn Risk Services, which has seen the mutual protection arm of our cooperative grow enormously.

The Mutual was created in 2003 to provide Capricorn Members with a competitive alternative to insurance and provides protection tailored to the motor trades industry through Capricorn Risk Services.

In 2019, we paid our first trade rebate of $5 million back to Members, which had grown to a trade rebate of $15 million in 2022.

The point is, we do all of this for our Capricorn Members. That’s what cooperatives are about — reinvesting in the communities that built them.

It is why cooperatives may just be the ideal business model for a more sustainable future.

Yours in cooperation,

David Fraser Group CEO – Capricorn Society Ltd

To learn more about Capricorn Society membership, visit www.capricorn.coop