The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) debuted The Seminar, its landmark independent aftermarket training event, earlier this month in Dallas.
Built on top of its highly regarded Distributor Training Expo (DTE), CVSN’s Seminar is the organization’s next step in its quest to build the strongest educational programming in the aftermarket. This year’s debut event featured four educational tracks, each developed specifically to maximize the learning opportunities of independent aftermarket attendees while also enabling vendor presenters the unique opportunity to bolster their national distributor networks through a centralized training event.
Early returns were positive.
“CVSN is committed to expanding the affordable educational and training opportunities for the industry,” CVSN Executive Director Edward Kuo said after last week’s event. “This year's Seminar was a successful first step because we identified what our members were needing through our Education community and created a strong agenda presented by industry experts.”
GenFirst students participate in an 'Anatomy of a Truck' information session during CVSN's The Seminar event earlier this month in Dallas.Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network
The agenda was built upon four educational tracts: the DTE; technology, and two certification courses: GenFirst and GenNext. The DTE followed a similar format to prior successful iterations. The new technology program was created to showcase how aftermarket operations can best evaluate, adopt and maximize technology within their operations.
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Regarding the certification programs, GenFirst was designed to serve as an introduction to the aftermarket for new entrants where distributors and vendors could send their newest associates to receive a crash course on how the aftermarket works and how their business functions within it. The latter course focused more on professional development, and was designed for businesses to send their current and future leaders to receive detailed, pointed training on how to be a successful leader in an aftermarket business.
More than 200 students attended the four tracts, while 31 vendors companies participated as DTE sponsors, speakers and more.
After the success of this year’s event, CVSN is hopeful it will be able to expand the program in 2025 and achieve continual growth at future events. It also states next year it intends to “introduce three additional certifications to complement this year's offerings.”
The long-term success of the independent aftermarket depends on the development of its next generation today, and CVSN believes The Seminar will become a vital resource for all businesses focused on the future.
A vendor representative and distributor attendee speak during CVSN's The Seminar Distributor Training Expo track earlier this month in Dallas.Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network
“The biggest challenge facing our industry is bridging the gap from one generation to the next,” Kuo said. “Companies who send their teams to The Seminar are committed to increasing the skills and expertise of their employees, which leads to more successful recruiting and retention levels.
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He adds, “Keeping our workforce highly knowledgeable on product and their job functions is an advantage that keeps the independent side of the industry competitive in their markets.”
Looking ahead, CVSN also states its 2025 event, which will be moved to May to reduce scheduling conflicts, promises to feature even more new content. CVSN states it also will continue to enhance the DTE track by introducing new suppliers who have never attended before, ensuring fresh and valuable experiences for all participants.
“We believe this new format of The Seminar offers us the flexibility to add different tracks of training that benefit all of our membership types (suppliers, distributors, service centers, business service providers) in all areas of their operations,” said Kuo.
