IAAF conference ‘a great success’

The IAAF’s conference has once again lived up to expectations with the delegates discussing the wide range of opportunities and threats for the ‘next generation’ of automotive aftermarket pioneers. Held at Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the National Exhibition Centre, delegates expressed their appreciation at the breadth and quality of the topics covered and the informed speakers who made presentations to nearly 100 aftermarket personnel.

The theme, ‘The Next Generation’ bound together presentations ranging from electric vehicle safety, return on investment from apprenticeship programmes, analysis of independent garages’ potential market in the future, the activities of Figiefa, the Brussels-based international association for independent distributors (Of which IAAF is one of the two UK members), safety recall procedures for aftermarket parts, and the aftermarket opportunities in web-based trading. Not only were the speakers’ presentations stimulating and informative, but each session brought a lively question and answer session.

Graham Knight, IAAF President, said: “The IAAF conference has established itself as an event not to miss and this year the scope of interaction and understanding was exceptional. The conference continues to tackle the main issues faced by everyone in the automotive aftermarket – consumers, garages, workshops, motor factors, distributors, suppliers and manufacturers – and provides answers and direction on how best to minimise threats and maximise opportunities.

“What does the IAAF do me? Why should we support the IAAF? The conference demonstrated precisely the immense effort the IAAF puts in to protecting everyone working in our industry.”