The annual Aftermarket Technology Conference gave attendees a deep dive into the forces reshaping the industry.
Hosted by the MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers in Springfield, Missouri, executives, technology leaders and industry leaders converged to tackle topics ranging from EV preparedness and AI implementation to the persistent challenges of technician training and more.
The two-day agenda was packed with critical insights aimed at helping the aftermarket supply chain navigate an increasingly complex, high-tech vehicle landscape.
Following welcome addresses from MEMA’s Chris Gardner, Mobility Technology Council chair Ryan Kooiman and Business Technology Council chair Jim Naso, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers president Paul McCarthy emphasized the need for forward-thinking strategies in his opening comments.
O’Reilly Auto Parts co-hosted the event as it’s headquartered in Springfield. Senior vice president of merchandise David Wilbanks welcomed attendees.
Steve Greenfield, CEO of Automotive Ventures, looked at the future of vehicle technology by describing four major trends and their impact on the ability of the aftermarket to service new vehicles: Autonomy, Electrification, Connectivity and software-defined vehicles.
The annual MEMA Aftermarket Startup Challenge (MASC), a competition for emerging technology startups, was judged by venture capital firms and the audience. Pitches ranged from augmented and extended reality to better sustainability to AI usage. The winner was Spiffy, which offers mobile service software.
The second day started with a presentation from Jeff Cox of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association about strategies for preparing shops, service advisors and technicians for emerging technologies.
There was a focus on AI with leaders from Roland Berger offering guidance on how companies can map out a proper business plan for AI.
A series of technology tracks was also available to attendees looking at the automotive, business, commercial vehicle and remanufacturing sectors. Topics included fraudulent returns, technician behaviours, digital assets, predictive analytics, autonomous trucking, e-commerce, training, and more.
O’Reilly executives hosted a town hall about their initiatives to wrap up the day before a banquet dinner with a fishing theme since Springfield is the home of the first Bass Pro Mills store.
There were also many opportunities for attendees to check out vendors, sponsors and networking opportunities.
Check out our photo gallery below and video highlight reel.
Aftermarket Technology Conference 2025
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