What's New at VISION?

MWACA Magazine caught up with Sheri Hamilton, Executive Director of MWACA, to ask more about what makes VISION a can't-miss event.
AS TOLD TO LEAH MARXHAUSEN

MWACA: What makes this coming year at the VISION conference different from past years?

Hamilton: In 2023, for the first time ever, we are offering a two-day General Service Technician Academy which is designed for entry-level and apprenticeship technicians. Attendees will come away with: intro to being a technician, OSHA-required annual training, basic tire repair training, tire safety, and tire certification. They will get lift safety training and certification, basic AC training, and their MACS 609 certification, as well as basic electricity concepts. We're partnering with MACS - Mobile Air Conditioning Society, TIA Tire Industry Association, ALI - Automotive Lift Institute, as well as several other companies and organizations which will help us put together this two-day event. It will sell out quickly. It's designed for entry-level tech to be able to experience VISION. So much of VISION has been medium-level to advanced-level technician training. This will be an opportunity for shops to bring those entry-level technicians to get training and still experience the team atmosphere that many of the shops and their teams experience. We're helping immediately get them into the culture of training and the team culture within that shop. Shops are having to learn how to how to raise their own technicians. We're providing this two-day Academy to help them get additional training certifications and knowledge to support them in their roles help generate revenue within the shop.

MWACA: What makes the VISION expo stand out from other conferences in the industry?

Hamilton: We’re bringing all levels of positions in the industry together. We have an educator think tank series of classes, which will happen on Friday so that educators can take training right alongside the people who they're preparing their students to go into the industry for. We'll have educators, technicians, service advisors, and shop owners attending and that mix is unique in the industry. Many times events are just focused on management and technical training, and we're offering everything from an entry-level to an experienced diagnostician, in addition to having heavy-duty training.

"We’re bringing all levels of positions in the industry together." - Sheri Hamilton, Executive Director, MWACA

Back by popular demand is our spouse program. Many times attendees are coming to VISION, they're leaving a spouse at home. This program provides a reason for them to attend and also be part of the event experience.

MWACA: What are you most looking forward to?

Hamilton: I’m most looking forward to getting back to meeting new people. We have the Auto Care Alliance reception on Thursday evening where we can bring all of our ACA members together. ACA had its very first reception last year, and we'll be doing that again this year with some fun surprises. This year's keynote session on Saturday morning features Ben Nemtin and an incredible lineup of training that we have outlined for the 2023 event.

SHERI HAMILTON
Executive Director
MWACA
Gladstone, MO.
SHERI@MWACA.ORG

VISION Hi-Tech Training Expo is returning in March and is offering new training and networking opportunities for the most comprehensive conference yet. 

MWACA Magazine sat down with Hamilton to discover how VISION 2023 will stand apart from past conferences and from other conferences in the industry.