Worldpac Sets 2027 ‘Fantastic Voyage’ Customer, Partner Event
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view (AACF) announced that more than $70,000 was raised during the Independent Midas Dealers Association (IMDA) Convention & Trade Show 2026, held April 19 to 21 in Savannah, Georgia, as Midas celebrated its 70th anniversary. This marked the second consecutive year AACF was the event’s official charity. Support from Midas and IMDA members highlights the commitment within the aftermarket industry to care for its own.
Midas and IMDA Support for AACF
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support from Midas and the IMDA community in welcoming AACF back for a second year,” said John Kairys, executive director of AACF. “The opportunity to be part of this event and connect directly with franchisees, leadership and partners is invaluable. It speaks volumes about the culture of this organization and the genuine commitment to supporting one another across the industry.”
AACF Booth, Donations and Prize Drawings
Throughout the event, IMDA members, franchisees, suppliers and corporate partners visited the AACF booth to learn more about the foundation’s mission, contribute donations, and participate in prize drawings. The event also provided a platform for AACF leadership to connect directly with those who make up the Midas network.
Kairys joined Jeff Genuario, incoming IMDA president, and Adam Stranik, outgoing IMDA president, on stage to share the foundation’s impact and highlight real stories of individuals and families supported through AACF. “As we celebrate 70 years of Midas, it’s important to recognize the people behind our success,” said Genuario. “Supporting AACF allows us to extend that commitment beyond the shop and into the lives of our teammates and their families when they need it most.”
Stranik added, “The automotive aftermarket is built on strong relationships, and
link hidden, please login to view plays a critical role in supporting those within our industry facing unexpected hardship. We’re proud to continue this partnership and to see the incredible generosity of IMDA members make a real difference.” Funds to Support Aftermarket Professionals and Families
The funds raised during the event will directly support aftermarket professionals and their families facing life-changing challenges such as medical emergencies, natural disasters and catastrophic events.
“The generosity shown throughout this event speaks volumes about the character of this industry, and partnering with AACF allows us to extend that support beyond the shop and into the lives of those who need it most,” said Lenny Valentino Jr., Midas president and COO. “Our commitment doesn’t end here,” he continued. “We’ll continue supporting AACF and the people who depend on it today and always.”
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By Counterman
Worldpac announced two Hall of Famers as keynote speakers for its biannual
link hidden, please login to view. Professional football legend Terry Bradshaw and triathlete-turned-motivational speaker Siri Lindley will deliver dynamic conversations on leadership, entrepreneurship, and upskilling operations in an increasingly competitive landscape during the conference taking place Aug. 19-23, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, in National Harbor, Maryland. As the largest and most comprehensive automotive aftermarket training and vendor expo in North America, according to Worldpac,
link hidden, please login to view will feature more than 300 educational courses from top industry experts from original equipment brands and the Worldpac Training Institute. The sessions will focus on the latest and emerging trends in electric and manufacturer-specific vehicles, automotive technologies, and business management. It will also showcase exhibits from more than 250 international parts manufacturers. Terry Bradshaw will lead the discussion during the conference’s opening session Aug. 20 at 6:45 p.m. ET from the STX stage. A four-time champion and Hall of Fame quarterback who led the league in his prime, Terry will set the tone for what is expected. The broadcast analyst will bring unmatched insight, leadership perspective, and his larger-than-life personality to the stage for thousands of attendees eager to learn what it takes to succeed.
Two-time world champion and Hall of Fame triathlete Siri Lindley will keynote the STX Accelerate Women’s Lunch on Aug. 22 at 12:30 p.m. ET. Drawing from her extraordinary journey as a world champion triathlete, elite coach to Olympic competitors and cancer survivor, Siri delivers a powerful message on resilience, courage and unlocking one’s full potential. Her inspiring story and actionable insights make this a session attendees won’t want to miss, Worldpac said.
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By Counterman
Worldpac and The Pronto Network announced a strategic partnership. It officially took effect April 1, 2026, marking a milestone in strengthening cooperation within the independent automotive aftermarket.
The partnership brings together two organizations dedicated to the advancement and success of the professional repair community. By joining The Pronto Network, Worldpac brings its longstanding commitment to technical education, OE-quality parts and enhanced catalog technology, complementing The Pronto Network’s focus on member support, strategic growth and supply chain collaboration.
Reaction from CEOs
“Joining
link hidden, please login to viewallows us to align with an organization that shares our vision for innovation and customer success,” said John Hamilton, president and CEO of Worldpac. “As the aftermarket continues to evolve with new technologies, vehicle complexities and changing consumer expectations, we are now better positioned to support customers with shared resources and enhanced capabilities.” “We are proud to welcome Worldpac to The Pronto Network family. Our two organizations bring different strengths to this partnership, and uniting makes us even stronger,” said Robert Roos, president and CEO of The Pronto Network. “Together we will continue to advance solutions that align with our shared vision of empowering members, so they thrive in today’s rapidly changing marketplace. Our expanded footprint will help strengthen the entire industry – from suppliers and distributors to repair shops and vehicle owners – and ensure that the independent aftermarket remains competitive, connected and well-prepared for the road ahead.”
Focus on training, national account offerings and supplier relationships
United by a shared commitment to strategic growth,
link hidden, please login to view and The Pronto Network said they will focus first on several key initiatives. These include expanding training programs and enhancing national account offerings. The partnership will also prioritize strengthening supplier relationships, creating long-term value for partners, and supporting the broader independent service ecosystem. The post
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By Counterman
On the surface, the primary role of a parts professional is to help our customers identify and select the parts, supplies and services needed to complete a multitude of repairs. However, there are many other duties beyond simple cataloging exercises which separate a true parts professional from a key-punching cashier at the grocery checkout lane. Too often, the general public sees us as simple clerks, but when is the last time you asked a cashier at the register how to perfectly sear that ribeye you just paid for?
Our customer base may vary from store to store, but many of us deal with an eclectic mix of clientele each day. These patrons also come with varying levels of technical knowledge or abilities. For most of our commercial customers, we are already a trusted partner. Technicians have usually diagnosed and estimated the labor for a repair job before requesting our expertise, but still lean on their “go-to” parts specialist to get the correct components quoted correctly and delivered to them quickly. These customers “speak our language,” and we are expected to speak theirs, as well.
When it comes to the “decidedly DIY” segment of our business, many of the conversations we have can feel like more of a struggle. Often through no fault of their own, this portion of our population finds themselves tackling unfamiliar repair situations, or attempting to navigate diagnostic recommendations or repair instructions that seem to be written in a completely different language. Our daily interactions with repair professionals and coworkers, as well as our own life experiences, have helped us all to build a knowledge base which serves as one of the main reasons our individual services are in demand to begin with.
The average consumer views most auto parts as a commodity, so many of our widgets are “all the same” to them. As “car people,” we already know the differences between our products, which ones to recommend, and what we can reasonably expect from them. Even if we don’t physically install components or repair vehicles, we often have a pretty good sense of what it takes to perform the task required, and what else may need to be removed and replaced along the way to the goal of installing the parts we’re handing across the counter.
When dealing with a “less-technical” parts buyer, we must be prepared to spend a little more time at the counter or on the telephone. Drawing out all of the relevant information (and filtering out the irrelevant) is often the first step in determining the customer’s needs and intentions. If they already have a sense of direction, a portion of the conversation might be spent explaining (in layman’s terms) why triggering a particular OBD-II code does not automatically mean that they should buy part “X,” or deciphering what a customer means when they request “that round box with four wires, next to the square plastic piece under the left fender.”
Within the context of a popular subreddit (r/explainlikeimfive), we can convey fairly complex technical ideas without anyone feeling lost or talked down to. By avoiding jargon or acronyms, our language becomes more accessible for the uninitiated. Comparisons to everyday situations allow for us to find common ground in a discussion. The use of photos, diagrams, descriptive words and even sounds can make “the big picture” come into focus more sharply for nearly anyone. Once we discover a common language, our common purpose is suddenly much clearer!
The post
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By Counterman
On the surface, the primary role of a parts professional is to help our customers identify and select the parts, supplies and services needed to complete a multitude of repairs. However, there are many other duties beyond simple cataloging exercises which separate a true parts professional from a key-punching cashier at the grocery checkout lane. Too often, the general public sees us as simple clerks, but when is the last time you asked a cashier at the register how to perfectly sear that ribeye you just paid for?
Our customer base may vary from store to store, but many of us deal with an eclectic mix of clientele each day. These patrons also come with varying levels of technical knowledge or abilities. For most of our commercial customers, we are already a trusted partner. Technicians have usually diagnosed and estimated the labor for a repair job before requesting our expertise, but still lean on their “go-to” parts specialist to get the correct components quoted correctly and delivered to them quickly. These customers “speak our language,” and we are expected to speak theirs, as well.
When it comes to the “decidedly DIY” segment of our business, many of the conversations we have can feel like more of a struggle. Often through no fault of their own, this portion of our population finds themselves tackling unfamiliar repair situations, or attempting to navigate diagnostic recommendations or repair instructions that seem to be written in a completely different language. Our daily interactions with repair professionals and coworkers, as well as our own life experiences, have helped us all to build a knowledge base which serves as one of the main reasons our individual services are in demand to begin with.
The average consumer views most auto parts as a commodity, so many of our widgets are “all the same” to them. As “car people,” we already know the differences between our products, which ones to recommend, and what we can reasonably expect from them. Even if we don’t physically install components or repair vehicles, we often have a pretty good sense of what it takes to perform the task required, and what else may need to be removed and replaced along the way to the goal of installing the parts we’re handing across the counter.
When dealing with a “less-technical” parts buyer, we must be prepared to spend a little more time at the counter or on the telephone. Drawing out all of the relevant information (and filtering out the irrelevant) is often the first step in determining the customer’s needs and intentions. If they already have a sense of direction, a portion of the conversation might be spent explaining (in layman’s terms) why triggering a particular OBD-II code does not automatically mean that they should buy part “X,” or deciphering what a customer means when they request “that round box with four wires, next to the square plastic piece under the left fender.”
Within the context of a popular subreddit (r/explainlikeimfive), we can convey fairly complex technical ideas without anyone feeling lost or talked down to. By avoiding jargon or acronyms, our language becomes more accessible for the uninitiated. Comparisons to everyday situations allow for us to find common ground in a discussion. The use of photos, diagrams, descriptive words and even sounds can make “the big picture” come into focus more sharply for nearly anyone. Once we discover a common language, our common purpose is suddenly much clearer!
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