Wire & Gas training topics announced

Workshop owners and customer-facing staff will reap huge benefits from a session by MACS Worldwide CEO Andy Fiffick about workshop advertising and marketing, covering various methods from basic low-cost programs to state-of-the-art yet easy to execute initiatives that deliver great results.

Similarly, VASA VP Brett Meads will talk about ‘diagnosing the customer’ and methods that will help workshop owners and technicians tailor their offering and deliver the best possible value, resulting in happy customers, repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals.

Kylie Farrelley, who was this year appointed general manager of Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA), will provide an update on work to better manage refrigerant emissions from end-of-life vehicles and present the results of RRA’s annual automotive refrigerant survey, which is conducted with the help of VASA workshops around the country.

MACPartners Europe president Michael Ingvardsen – considered the continent’s equivalent to Grant Hand – will conduct a practical session on variable-displacement compressors and the importance of considering the chemical composition of products such as UV dye and oil before using them in automotive air-conditioning systems.

The Automotive Technician (TaT) will run a technical session explaining diagnostic techniques using oscilloscopes and pressure transducers for testing sensors and other electronic components, plus the quick analysis of mechanical faults.

As previously announced, Clinton Brett of Diesel Help Australia will up the diagnostic game of Wire & Gas attendees with a topical practical session on diesel particulate filters and US-based hybrid and electric vehicle guru Craig Van Batenburg will impart his vast expertise to demystify and prepare delegates for the inevitable shift to electrification.

More experts and topics are to still to be confirmed, but the two planned panel sessions will be of huge interest and value to the Wire & Gas audience.

The first of these will be a meeting of minds between VASA’s counterparts in North America and Europe, with Andy Fiffick and Michael Ingvardsen joining VASA President Ian Stangroome on stage to compare notes on how the automotive air-conditioning, electrical and thermal management sectors are faring on their respective continents.

Another scene-setting panel session will bring together experts and visionaries from the world of automotive electrification, including Tim Washington from charging infrastructure company Chargefox, EV trainer Craig Van Batenburg and people involved with the emerging opportunity that is converting existing vehicles to electric drive, including Bill Dunlop from GB Auto, Dave Budge from Jaunt Motors and Jeff Smit from TaT.

Having been well-received at the 2018 Wire & Gas convention, musician Keegan Sparke will provide the soundscape for the 2020 Gala Dinner, sponsored by Adrad.

About Wire & Gas 2020

The entire automotive industry is witnessing a rapid electrification of everything from passenger cars to heavy vehicles and earthmoving equipment.

It is also becoming clear that as vehicle electrification becomes more mainstream, the disciplines of air-conditioning, electrical and thermal are converging.

As such, Wire & Gas 2020 will place a heavy focus on the changes and opportunities facing automotive repairers as electrification gathers momentum.

Wire & Gas 2020 will take place from July 31 to August 2 next year at Marriott Surfers Paradise and SuperCool Group headquarters in Ormeau, on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Early bird and VASA member-exclusive ticket discounts will be offered, so pre-register your interest by emailing events@vasa.org.au