ASTA Expo 2025: The Ultimate Automotive Event

Get ready to power up—ASTA Expo 2025 is bringing the industry together like never before! This year, we’re leveling up with a brand-new venue at the Raleigh Convention Center and an expanded trade show floor featuring 235 booth spaces packed with cutting-edge tools, technology, and services. Over three action-packed days, join top shop owners, technicians, and industry leaders for 80+ expert-led seminars covering everything from EV diagnostics to business growth strategies. This is your chance to gain game-changing insights, sharpen your skills, and stay ahead of the curve in the fast-evolving automotive world.

The Institute Speakers:

How to Become an Inspiring Leader & Everything You Need to Know About Numbers and Profit

Cecil Bullard // Thursday 9/25/25

This dynamic session is built for shop owners and leaders ready to take their business—and their people—to the next level. You’ll explore the keys to driving greater profitability and creating a high-performing team culture that sustains long-term success. We’ll start by diving into real-world shop scenarios—one barely scraping by with long hours and little reward, and another thriving with strong profits and a balanced workload. You’ll learn the six essential keys to financial success, how to work smarter (not harder), and how to turn your numbers into powerful business decisions. Then, we’ll shift gears and focus on leadership. Great shops aren’t just profitable—they’re driven by strong, inspiring leaders. You’ll gain insight into the six stages of leadership, how to build trust, improve team communication, reduce conflict, and create a culture that motivates and performs. With practical tools and takeaways, you’ll leave ready to lead with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re struggling to find financial footing or looking to grow as a leader, this class delivers the mindset, strategies, and tools to build a shop that’s both successful and sustainable.

Crystal Clear Communication

Cecil Bullard // Friday AM 9/26/25

Most shop problems? They don’t come from bad intentions—they come from bad communication. Missed details. Mixed messages. Confused customers. Frustrated techs. And what could’ve been a simple fix becomes a full-blown fire. Crystal Clear Communication is a practical, fast-paced workshop designed to help shop teams communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively—no matter the situation. It’s about saying the right thing the right way, so work flows better and stress stays low. You’ll learn how to: Communicate expectations between advisors, techs, and managers Deliver repair info and estimates with clarity and confidence Avoid miscommunication that leads to comebacks, delays, or upset customers Speak with empathy—and authority—at the same time Ask better questions, listen actively, and confirm understanding Set communication standards that level up your whole shop culture What You’ll Walk Away With: A communication checklist for high-efficiency service writing Messaging templates and “phrases that pay” for tough convos A framework for giving (and receiving) feedback without tension Common shop miscommunication scenarios—and how to fix them A printable “Clear Talk” Guide for daily use

Reign Supreme in the Digital Realm: Master Your Recession Proof Presence

Jimmy Lea // Friday PM 9/26/25

Welcome to the 21st where if you don’t exist digitally… you don’t exist. Grab your recession ready checklist for building a fool-proof foundation to establish your marketing superiority online. Step into the digital age and ensure your brand's immortality with "Is Your Digital Footprint Recession Ready?" led by the maestro of marketing, Jimmy Lea from The Institute. In this electrifying session, Jimmy unveils the keys to digital dominance, guiding you through the intricacies of establishing an unassailable online presence. Embrace the Revolution: Join Jimmy Lea on a journey to not just survive but thrive in the relentless digital landscape. Armed with a recession-ready checklist, you'll uncover the strategies to fortify your digital fortress and elevate your brand's visibility to unprecedented heights. Takeaways: 1. Master the Art of Digital Dominance: Gain expert insights into optimizing your online identity, ensuring you stand out amidst the digital noise. 2. Fortify Your Online Fortress: Learn how to navigate Google's algorithms, claim your social territories, and construct a resilient online presence impervious to economic downturns. 3. Future-Proof Your Brand: Equip yourself with the tools and techniques to confidently conquer the digital landscape, securing your brand's relevance and resilience for years to come. Don't let economic uncertainties dim your brand's shine. Secure your spot now and embark on a journey to digital supremacy!

Master the Multiverse: Unlocking Extraordinary Futures as a Multi-Shop Operator!

Michael Smith // Saturday Schedule 9/27/25

So you think you are ready to transcend the conventional limits of success and enter the dynamic realm of becoming a Multiple Shop Operator? Join us for an eye-opening exploration into the fundamentals that will guide you before you take the plunge into the Multiverse of shop duplication. The era of being a multi-shop company is no longer the summit—it's just the first step toward an array of extraordinary futures that were unimaginable in our industry a mere decade ago. Preparing to expand into a second shop demands more than just transactional knowledge—it requires a conceptual and strategic rethink. Once mastered, adding a third location becomes not only feasible but strategically brilliant. With the right approach, visionary owners and their teams can craft a future growth pipeline as vast and successful as their imagination allows. In an industry marked by retiring baby boomers, the opportunities for expansion are limitless. Discover: How to shatter the glass ceilings created by old-school ideas and approaches, freeing your potential for optimal success. The crucial fundamentals of multi-shop operations, extending beyond mere POS systems, SOPs, and timely bookkeeping. The art of crafting championship leaders and teams—an unparalleled competitive advantage that stands the test of time.