The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) celebrated the 100th anniversary in support of the independent aftermarket during its annual Summit last week in Las Vegas.
With more than 160 attendees, the event recognized the 100-year milestone of the founding of the National Wheel & Rim Association, which became CVSN after merging with the Council of Fleet Specialists more than 20 years ago.
In addition to honoring its history, CVSN's Seminar also focused heavily on the future of the independent aftermarket and how the organization can continue to support the industry in the challenging years ahead.
The event featured four long-form discussions addressing the organization's four pillars — education, industry awareness, technology and legislation — in which attendees from the supplier, distributor and solutions provider segments had the opportunity to come together to address how CVSN can support the aftermarket in these areas of need. Those discussions also were supported by keynote speakers, including Ryan Bugai of LWK Enterprises and Brian Wild of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW).
Bugai's Education-themed presentation was focused on recruiting, and why distributors and vendors alike should continue to invest in training to both maintain their product expertise and remain a leg up on industry disrupters.
“Training is the easiest way to coordinate with your competitors without giving them a competitive advantage,” he said.
In Wild's legislative presentation, the Beltway insider touched on the recent Presidential debate, polling for the White House and legislative races and discussed how Congress' inactivity in recent years has forced policy to be set by regulators and judges, not lawmakers.
“If [Trump] doesn’t win Pennsylvania it is almost impossible for him to win,” Wild said.
CVSN also announced winners of its two industry award programs during the event, honoring Marc Karon of Total Truck Parts with the CVSN President's Award, and naming its 2024 GenNext 4 Under 40 Award winners.
Karon was grateful for his recognition, and in speech at the event told attendees, “This means a lot to me because it is coming from my fellow distributors ... It is recognition from people I respect the most who are respecting me.”
The GenNext 4 Under 40 Award winners were Bugai, Nick Chelman from DRiV, Adam Pigeon at Royal Truck & Utility Trailer and Bruno Gattamorta with Cojali USA. Sponsored by Trucks, Parts, Service, the 4 Under 40 Awards celebrate professionals who demonstrate involvement, innovations and commitment within the aftermarket as well as a desire to propel the industry forward.
All four winners were humbled by the recognition and encouraged their fellow under 40 colleagues to become active in the aftermarket like they have.
