About VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo

For over 30 years, VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo has been the premier automotive service event in the country, being well-known across the industry as a top-notch automotive training event and networking spectacular.

Thousands of talented automotive service professionals join together every year. In 2025 alone, VISION saw over 3,500 attendees.

You’re invited to  join the fun for 2026 and beyond when VISION returns to Kansas City to do it all again.

The Institute Speaker(s):

Chaos to Control: Developing and Implementing SOPs Kent Bullard || Thursday || March 5th, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Gain control over business operations by learning how to design and execute effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Designed for leaders seeking clarity, consistency, and growth, this workshop walks participants through practical strategies to create systems that empower teams, reduce chaos, and build a culture of accountability. Discover how to transition from reactive to proactive management by embedding structured processes into your daily operations. Participants will explore ways to ensure SOPs are not only written but adopted, practiced, and refined—fueling high performance even amid change and uncertainty. A highly interactive, hands-on experience ensures every attendee walks away with more than just ideas. By the end of the session, participants will have the foundation for their core processes and procedures drafted and ready for implementation. Expect to get real work done and leave with tools you can apply immediately.

Key Takeaways:

• Establish a Culture of Accountability: Promote consistency and personal responsibility across your organization.

• Design SOPs that Stick: Develop clear, actionable procedures that guide behavior and decision-making.

• Drive Team Engagement: Manage team dynamics to foster collaboration and process buy-in.

• Strengthen Organizational Agility: Prepare your business to respond confidently to growth, challenges, and market shifts.

Built for business owners, managers, and team leaders, this session equips participants with the tools to replace confusion with confidence and create a framework that sustains long-term success.

The Art of the Deal: Mastering Mergers & Acquisitions for Long-Term Growth and Market Power

Michael Herzberg Smith || Thursday || March 5th, 2026 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the independent automotive service industry at lightning speed. Whether you’re aiming to acquire, considering being acquired, or simply want to stay relevant and competitive, understanding the M&A landscape is no longer optional—it’s essential. Michael Herzberg-Smith, who helped craft one of the largest investment consolidation deals in the industry, will pull back the curtain on the process, players, strategies, and pitfalls of M&A. Learn what makes a business attractive, how to prepare for high-stakes conversations, and how to create deals that don’t just add revenue—they multiply future potential.

Key Takeaways:

- Understand how M&A works behind the scenes, from deal flow to negotiations to integration.

- Know what buyers and investors look for, and how to position your business as a top-tier opportunity.

- Evaluate opportunities to acquire and grow your footprint intelligently—without sacrificing culture or customer experience.

- Navigate private equity, REITs, and roll-ups with confidence—learn how these firms think and how to talk their language.

- Build a scalable, acquisition-ready company, even if you're not planning to sell—because someday, you might want to.

Ringing in Success: Elevate Your Phone Proficiency

Jimmy Lea || Sunday || March 8th, 2026 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Step into a transformative experience that will redefine how you and your team communicate over the phone. “Ringing in Success” isn’t just another phone training—it’s a dynamic blueprint for maximizing every call, converting leads into appointments, and turning customers into raving fans.

Led by renowned communication expert Jimmy Lea, this workshop equips you with the advanced tools and strategies needed to dominate the phones and drive real business growth. From mastering the first 4.5 seconds of a conversation to closing with confidence and clarity, you’ll learn the skills that separate high-performing teams from the rest. Prepare to level up your confidence, your consistency, and your close rate.

What You’ll Learn:

- The First 4.5 Seconds: Instantly capture attention and build trust from the moment you say “hello.”

- Objection Handling: Navigate concerns with ease and turn hesitation into action.

- Mastering the Close: Discover high-converting phrases and the psychology behind a confident close.

- Common Pitfalls: Recognize and eliminate habits that silently sabotage your calls.

- Creating Advocates: Turn first-time callers into long-term promoters of your business.

- High-Energy Engagement: Learn how to make every interaction memorable with tone, pacing, and authenticity.

- Value & Objection Mastery: Communicate compelling value while dissolving resistance.

- Strategic Timing: Know when to push, when to pause, and when to present next steps.

- Practice & Execution: Apply your knowledge with real-world examples and in-session skill-building exercises.

Why Attend?

Because one phone call can change everything. Don't miss this opportunity to sharpen your skills, supercharge your service advisors, and create an unstoppable first impression that drives repeat business.

Revolutionize your phone game—reserve your seat and start ringing in success today.