Calgary, Alberta — October 2, 2017 — The 2017 AARDA (Alberta Automotive Auto Recyclers And Dismantlers Association) annual meeting was held recently at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino in Calgary. This year’s event saw a record number of participants with 95 attendees.
The weekend began with an industry meeting. For the very first time the AARDA board met with executives from major body shop groups as well as data providers. The AARDA organized this meeting in order to discuss how members and shops can work together to increase used part usage in Alberta. The key message of this meeting was to develop a greater communication between AARDA members and their body shop customers.
The convention was held on Saturday and opened with a presentation from Michael Wilson, CEO of the ARA. Wilson spoke in lengths about negative advertisements against the use of used parts.
Also at the convention was The Tundra Take Back group, which updated members on the important work being done in northern communities to help clean up abandoned vehicles. Two members of the AARDA, Sara Brophy from Lake City Service and Calvin Kennedy from Aldon Auto Salvage, volunteered to travel to these communities. To read more on the Tundra Take Back initiative, click here.
Saturday night saw the revival of an old time favorite event, the tappet cover races. John Bruner from Coreline was the winning driver, beating out second place finisher Dave Cohen from Western Auto parts in a close two-race final. Bruner generously donated his prize money towards setting up an award in honour of Jack Cohen, who passed away earlier this month. To read more on Jack Cohen, please click here. If you would like to contribute to this award, you can contact AARDA executive director Ken Sorensen at admin@aarda.com for more details.
Ian Hope gave a presentation titled ‘Better Outcomes Through Your People Skills.’ This was Hope’s last conference as Assistant Director, a position he assumed when he stepped down in January of this year. Hope was awarded with a plaque for his years of service as the Executive Director of the AARDA.
Next year’s conference will be held on September 21st and 22nd of 2018 in Drumheller, Alberta.
For more information the AARDA, please visit aarda.com.
