Overdrive in ’25! AASPI Annual Conference & Virtual Trade Show Expo – Southern Illinois

Rev up your engines and get ready for the AASPI Annual Conference & Virtual Trade Show Expo on February 22, 2025! This year’s event promises to deliver cutting-edge industry insights, expert-led discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities for collision repair professionals across the Midwest. Whether you attend in person or tune in virtually, this conference is a must for staying ahead in the fast-evolving collision repair industry.

Event Details:

• Date: February 22, 2025

• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM CST

• Location: Southern Illinois

• Admission: $1 – $205

Conference Schedule:

Morning Kickoff

• 8:00 AM – Check-In & Breakfast

• 8:30 AM – Presentation of the Colors, Pledge, & National Anthem

• 8:35 AM – AASPI Welcome & Sponsor Recognition

• 8:50 AM – Opening Speaker: Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) – Parts Best Practices

Industry-Focused Workshop Sessions

• 10:05 AM – Break

• 10:15 AM – Workshop Sessions (pre-selected, one live-streamed, others recorded):

  • Tom Zoebelein, Vaultoniq – From Dent to Delivery: Automating Your Body Shop with AI

  • Pete Tagliapietra, DataTouch – The Industry’s Dirty Little Estimating Data Secret & P-Pages AI Estimate Demo

  • Matt DiFrancesco, High Lift Financial – Building Value to Exit on Your Terms

  • Carl Dumele, Aeromotive Services, Inc. – Technology’s Impact on Evaluating Wire Damage

Legislative Insights

• 10:15 AM – LEGISLATOR SESSION: Erica Eversman, J.D. (Automotive Education & Policy Institute) – Understanding the Practical Impact of Conflicts Between Insurance Laws & Consumer Protection Requirements

• 11:15 AM – Featured Speaker: Cole Strandberg (Focus Investment Banking) – The Era of the Single-Store Generalist Body Shop is Coming to an End

Lunch & Learn

• 12:05 PM – Break / Lunch Pick-Up

• 12:15 PM – Panel Discussion: Developing the Talent Pipeline & Building Apprenticeship Programs in the Collision Repair Industry with:

  • Mike Anderson, Collision Advice

  • Octavio Cavazos, College of Lake County

  • Jon Ross, Parkland College

  • Brandon Eckenrode, CREF

  • Cole Strandberg, Focus Investment Banking

  • Dara Goroff, I-CAR

  • Jennifer Maher, TechForce Foundation

  • Mike Barna, Arlington Toyota Collision Center

  • TBD, Student Apprentice

Afternoon Insights & Networking

• 1:45 PM – Break / Snack

• 2:00 PM – Featured Speaker: Yanni Koutmous (EagleMMS) – Inflation & Margins Analysis of Materials in the Collision Industry & What YOU Can Do About It

• 3:00 PM – Trade Show Expo Virtual

• 3:35 PM – Break

• 3:45 PM – Closing Panel: Crashing the System: Consumer Advocacy in Collision Repair’s Wild Midwest with:

  • Mike Anderson, Collision Advice

  • Erica Eversman, J.D., Automotive Education & Policy Institute

  • Wade Ebert, American Auto Body

  • Ken Klein, Consumers’ Automotive Detective

  • Alex Simmons, Collision Safety Consultants of IL

  • Drew Plischke, Gold Coast Auto Body

Final Remarks & Wrap-Up

• 4:45 PM – President’s Closing

• 5:00 PM – Event Concludes

Why Attend?

This conference is your chance to stay ahead of industry trends, learn from top experts, and connect with professionals shaping the future of collision repair. Whether you’re a shop owner, technician, investor, or industry advocate, Overdrive in ‘25 will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to thrive in an evolving marketplace.

Register Now!

Don’t miss out on this premier event. Secure your spot today and prepare for a full-throttle experience in collision repair excellence!

For registration and more details, visit [AASPI’s official website].