Automechanika Canada will offer a range of educational opportunities during its three-day seminar program, June 19-21, at the International Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Included in the program are a keynote address by Bob Greenwood, an award-winning automotive aftermarket industry expert; seven industry seminars; and nine educational courses.

 
From hybrids, Ford diagnosis and repair, to marketing strategies, sales effectiveness, and shop profitability, the 2008 Automechanika Canada educational classes and workshops will provide relevant, accessible learning to the automotive aftermarket.

The following are sessions being announced:

Hybrid Service…Getting Started, Hybrid Case Studies and Management Skills for Men and Women
Craig Van Batenburg, of the Automotive Career Development Center, will facilitate three educational sessions including a practical class detailing what every automotive business owner needs to know about servicing hybrid vehicles, and a new session in which he explains the various issues his training company has encountered with their six hybrid vehicles over the past eight years. In addition, Craig's wife, Deb, will join him in leading a class on management skills for men and women. With the industry's need for competent help and the increase in women entering the workforce, this session offers effective ways to communicate across gender lines.

Troubleshooting TPMS Problems
Whether you hear of it as Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) or Pressure Sensor or Under Inflated Alert System, these advanced monitoring systems not only are able to detect a sudden loss of pressure (flat), but they can also alert the driver when the pressure simply needs adjustment.  With tire maintenance being such an important driving factor, Jean-Luc Sauriol, of OBD3 Solutions, will facilitate a session on the importance of proper tire pressure and its implications.

Marketing! It's More Than Just Advertising and Effective Selling Without Sacrificing Customer Service
Business Training International's Kelly Bennett will address two of the industry's greatest challenges in these workshops designed to assist participants in developing actionable plans. By analyzing the skills required to develop and execute a marketing strategy, and assess sales and customer service effectiveness, Bennett guides participants to improved skills and lasting and profitable impact.

Your Future is in the Relationship – Developing Your New Profit Opportunity
The seminar program's keynote speaker, Bob Greenwood, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket E-Learning Centre Ltd. (AAEC) and E.K. Williams & Co. (Ontario) Ltd. (EKW), will lead a class addressing how jobbers can deliver value to their shop customers by understanding sales capability, technician efficiency and labor profitability.

 
Ford Electronic Transmission Diagnostics and Ford 6.0 Powerstroke Diesel Diagnostics
Mike Cleary, of Automotive Technical Support Services, will facilitate two classes specific to Ford diagnosis and repair. The fundamentals required for successfully diagnosing Ford electronic transmission controls highlight the first class.  This course focuses on the electronic control systems of Ford's 4R100, E40D, 4R70W, 5R55E, A4LD, AX4N and AX4S transmissions. Efficiently diagnosing and repairing the electronic engine control system of the Ford 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel is the focus of Cleary's second class. This course centers on the procedures involved in diagnosing the various no-start, hard-starting and performance concerns with this engine.

For more information and a schedule of the seminar and educational opportunties, visit www.AutomechanikaCanada.com.

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Aftermarket eForum will help attendees police the sale of their products over the Internet

Bethesda, Md.--Since aftermarket companies operate in a global, Web-enabled marketplace, they have to put their data or goods on the Internet or face going out of business.  A session on how aftermarket companies can protect their intellectual property from piracy in cyberspace will be one of the featured presentations at the 2008 Aftermarket eForum.

Attorneys Tony Lupo and Sarah Bruno of Arent Fox will look at "What Are Your Products Doing Online?  Protecting Your IP and Managing Your Brand in an Online World," during a general session July 15. 

 
Lupo and Bruno will look at legitimate products being sold online but not authorized for sale over the Internet or by a particular reseller.  They will also discuss the challenge of counterfeit goods and content being taken illegally from aftermarket Web sites, including brochures, catalogs, logos, and trademarks.

"We want to make attendees better aware of the problem with counterfeit or gray market goods," Lupo and Bruno said.  "But more importantly, we want to provide them with sound strategies so they can take action to help protect their company's digital assets."

The eighth annual Aftermarket eForum will be July 14-16 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago.  For more information, visit www.AftermarketeForum.com or contact Barbara Clark of AAIA at 301-654-6664.