At this year’s annual ToolTech event, ETI celebrated its 75-year anniversary. The event took place May 2-4 at the Coronado Island Marriott in Coronado, Calif. With more than 130 industry professionals from over 50 member companies, industry partners, and OEMS in attendance, the event offered a variety of industry-focused presentations providing valuable information for all.
Day one of the event started with a little ETI history and an update on what the organization has been working on over the past year, including ETI adding a third level of membership – the affiliate membership. Dutch Silverstein – a part of ToolTech’s Shop Owner’s Panel for the past two years – is the first official affiliate member of ETI.
Brian Plott, executive director for ETI, recalled Silverstein telling him why it was so important to him to become an ETI member:
“‘What I’ve heard in there over the last two days is probably more than I’ve heard about the industry in the last 10 years. I’m taking away knowledge and information that will help me make better decisions in my business.’”
And that’s exactly what ETI hopes they can provide other shop owners and educators with through this membership – knowledge on what’s happening in the industry and a voice to let the industry know what they need.
Presentations and panels for day one included:
- ADAS Market – Challenges and Opportunities presented by Jim Fish and Brian Daugherty
- Mixed Reality and High Voltage Technology presented by Dirk Fuchs, Scott VanHulle, and Niel Speetjens, I-CAR
- OEM Panel Discussion moderated by Mohan Sethi, Mahle
- Emerging Tire Technologies presented by Kristen Thompson, Goodyear
- Making Innovation Happen in the New World of Work, Jeff DeGraff
Day two of ToolTech began with the presentation of the Founder’s Award and the installation of the new ETI board. This year’s Founder’s Award was awarded to Nadine Eernisse on behalf of the late Bill Eernisse, and current ETI President, Harlan Siegel passed on the gavel to new ETI President, Edward Prange.
Presentations and panels for day two included:
- National Insurance Crime Bureau / 3 Points Consulting presented by DT “Rusty” Russell and Jon Ruttencutter
- Right to Repair Update / Federal Bill presented by Aaron Lowe and Ann Wilson
- Shop Owner’s Panel moderated by Ben Johnson Mitchell 1
- SEMA presented by Luis Morales
- Paramount presented by Eliot Hoppe
Attendees also had the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with other industry professionals and network at the company spotlight tradeshow/reception.
“We always need to be expanding our view. Not just looking straight ahead but looking to the left and looking to the right,” noted former ETI President Siegel. “Think of the Iditarod Dog Race – that big, long line of dogs…that run about a 1,100-mile trip from Anchorage, Ala. to Nome. If you’re not that number one dog, your view never changes. With that said, ETI will continue to expand its view, do what’s needed, and remain that number one dog in that leadership spot for the next 75 years.”
Check out more photos from the event here!
