Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the Equipment and Tool Institute’s (ETI) ToolTech 2023 conference, held April 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico.
ETI had a full itinerary planned for guests in attendance. The night before event kickoff, guests were invited to the Tamaya Veranda to enjoy cocktails and quick bites, all while enjoying a scenic view of the Sandia Mountains. As if it couldn’t get any better, two of the Hyatt’s property horses made an appearance and guests got to snap photos next to them throughout the evening.
Day 1 presentations engaged attendees with a variety of topics including, “The Future of Automotive Retail,” “How Artificial Intelligence is Impacting the Automotive Aftermarket Service Experience” and a “Legislative Update.” There was also an informative OEM Panel discussion.
At the conclusion of presentations and panel discussions, attendees had the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings to network with industry professionals.
Following the first day’s presentations, ETI held a Company Spotlight Trade Show, giving ETI member companies the opportunity to highlight products and services for attendees. This was a perfect way to connect with individuals in the industry about their latest innovations and, to simply put it, catch up!
After a productive first day, guests took a bus off the property to Kaktus Brewing Company for an offsite party hosted by OPUS IVS.
On Day 2, a second round of presentations included discussions about “Automotive Connected Mobility,” “Intelligent Transportation Systems and the Future of Travel,” “International Perspectives,” and “Legal Perspectives on Intellectual Property.” Shop owners highlighted the panel of the day, where a wide variety of topics were discussed among the elite show owner group.
That evening, guests took another shuttle off the property to Cottonwoods for the closing reception and dinner, sponsored by Snap-on.
One of the key takeaways of this conference was the growing importance of our industry being prepared for electric vehicles (EVs). It’s great to hear that people are becoming more comfortable with the idea of EVs, and as we move toward a more sustainable future, it’s certain we’ll be seeing rapid growth and emerging repair and service opportunities in this segment of the industry.
Our industry is constantly changing and adapting to new technological developments. Attending events like ETI’s ToolTech is just one more way for us to stay connected with the technology, the tools and the people that make this the exciting industry it is. And, did I mention they sure know how to throw a great party? Best of all, there are many more industry events in the near future, and I’m looking forward to attending them for the knowledge and the networking, but also so I can share the experiences with you. TS
