VISION 2026 Wrap-Up: Growth, New Faces, and the Future of Training

Held March 5–8 in Kansas City, the VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo once again brought thousands of automotive professionals together for technical training, management education, and industry connection. In this Q&A, Ratchet+Wrench Editor Christine Schaffran sits down with Sheri Hamilton, director of operations for Midwest Auto Care Alliance, to discuss turnout, industry trends, and how the conference continues to evolve while staying true to its technician-focused roots.

Q: How did this year’s turnout compare to last year’s?

Sheri Hamilton: Right now, we’re right in line with last year’s numbers. I don’t know whether it will be record-setting—it depends on how many people come into the expo. So far we have attendees from 47 states and seven countries, and we know we already have more than 3,400 people. It could go to 3,800 or even 4,000 depending on walk-ins. I don’t know yet. I’ll know (after the show) because we haven’t opened the expo yet. There are always on-site registrations, especially for the expo. A lot of people come in just for the trade show, so we don’t know those numbers yet.

Q: What has the overall vibe or energy been like this year?

Hamilton: It’s been very high. We have over 1,200 first-time attendees, so they’re coming in with a bit of awe as far as the experience. Many of them have never been to a conference like this before and are really amazed as they walk around.

When you look at a conference that has been going on as long as this one has and you still get about 30% new attendees, that’s pretty remarkable.

Q: What does that say about the industry, especially when people are talking about the shortage of technicians?

Hamilton: I think it’s a mix of a lot of things. There’s a lot of transition happening in the industry—businesses being sold, some going to private equity companies. Some of those companies don’t have the same commitment to outside training because they have their own internal programs.

There’s also succession happening. Shops are being sold to new owners who may not yet be connected to the industry or to training events like this. And sometimes people are simply closing their doors.

At the same time, through our marketing and word of mouth, we’re bringing in a lot of new attendees. Shops are growing and sending more employees. One person attends, and the next year all ten people from the shop attend. So, it’s really a mix—you just have to continue marketing.

Q: There seems to be a noticeable focus on AI-related sessions this year. Was that intentional?

Hamilton: Not really. That actually came from the courses that were submitted. There’s a lot of curiosity in the industry about how to use and implement AI, so we wanted to make sure the training reflected that interest.

Q: What kinds of AI presentations seem to be resonating the most?

Hamilton: We had rave reviews from Seth Thorson’s session about creating an AI agent. That class received really high praise based on what people learned.

There are also other sessions focused on marketing and how AI can be used there, but I don’t have the feedback yet on those. Our AI management courses were some of the highest-attended classes.

Q: Beyond AI, are there other trends standing out so far?

Hamilton: Right now evaluations are coming in, but I haven’t had time to go through them yet.

What people have told me directly is that AI is such a new topic for many of them. Some are intimidated by it, but others are asking, “How can I embrace this and do it right?”
On the management side, there’s a lot of focus on leadership and the health of teams—mental health and emotional health. Our keynote focused on making sure leaders are taking care of themselves so they can lead their teams effectively.

Q: VISION has long been known as a technician-first conference. How have you maintained that identity while expanding leadership and management tracks?

Hamilton: I think it’s because of the uniqueness of the training we offer. We have many sessions that are hands-on, using training facilities like Johnson County Community College and AE Tools.

Technicians are often very tactile learners, so having those hands-on experiences is important. Sometimes it’s working on vehicles, sometimes it’s circuit boards, but that kind of learning environment really matters.

Those hands-on classes are always the first to sell out. I think that continues to drive demand for the technical training.

Q: What differentiates VISION from other industry events?

Hamilton: The comment we hear most often is how well run the conference is and the attention to detail.

Just like shop owners and technicians take care of every detail for their customers, we try to do the same for attendees. We want the conference to be a stress-free environment where people can focus on networking and learning.

We also provide a lot of communication ahead of time—first-time attendee webinars, detailed schedules, and guidance so people know exactly where they need to be.

Q: You’ve been doing this a long time. How has the event evolved?

Hamilton: I’ve been doing this for 27 years. When I took it over there were only about 350 people attending.

Now we’ve grown to several thousand. As we’ve grown, it’s gotten more complex, but we’ve built a team of professionals to make sure everything runs smoothly.
It’s a big conference, but it’s not massive like some of the shows in Las Vegas. People can still easily connect with each other.

Q: The Young Technician Program has become a signature part of VISION. Why is it so important?

Hamilton: Supporting young technicians has always been part of the mission of this event.
The program provides foundational knowledge—things like lift training, OSHA training, basic electrical, air-conditioning systems, fluids and oils, tire repair, alignment, and digital vehicle inspections.

The goal is to give these students a strong foundation so they can succeed in the industry. It also helps ensure we don’t lose them to other careers.

The program sold out again this year. We keep it limited to 60 students because we want to maintain the quality of the training.

Q: What challenges are shop owners talking about most right now?

Hamilton: Finding qualified technicians is still the biggest challenge.

I’m also hearing more conversations about succession planning—owners preparing their businesses for a future sale or transition.

And of course, AI. People are asking how it can help them free up time and improve communication within their businesses.

Q: What’s next for VISION and the Midwest Auto Care Alliance?

Hamilton: We’re already working on VISION 2027.

We’ll review feedback from this year’s event—those surveys are very important because they help determine which speakers return and what topics we focus on.

Outside of VISION, we’re partnering with Amazing Women in Automotive to host a summer retreat, and we’re launching a virtual career panel for educators and students so they can learn about different career paths in the industry.

Q: If attendees could act on one takeaway from this year’s event, what would you hope it is?

Hamilton: For shop leaders, I would say take care of yourselves so you’re ready to take care of your team and your family.

There’s a lot of stress in today’s world and in this industry. When leaders are healthy and balanced, they’re better able to support their employees and their customers.
The people in this industry matter, and we want to make sure they’re taken care of so they can take care of everyone else.