ACROSS CANADA REPORT: Fall Events Gain Quebec Forum

The AIA Quebec Division has added a French-language fall forum to the association’s upcoming slate of events that includes the 6th Annual AIA Automotive Forum in Toronto and the usual fall golf tournaments.

The Quebec Division has not set a final date, but according to Michel Tremblay, the division coordinator, it will be held on a Friday near the middle of October. It is modeled after the annual forum in Toronto and Tremblay says it will address some issues brought up at the AIA convention in Penticton.

He says speakers are expected to cover such subjects as Succession Planning, the OBD II issue, and industry trends. The Quebec forum is expected to be held halfway between Montreal and Quebec City to attract more people; Trois Rivires or Drummondville are likely choices.

The forum in Toronto, “Prospecting for Success,” will be held at the International Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, November 14, 2001. Featured speakers include Michael Graham, Heathbridge Graham Inc., with his “Annual Report Card on the Economy”; Dennis DesRosiers, DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, on “Vehicle Service Trends–What the Consumer Thinks”; Charles L. Seguin, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLPD, on “OE Trends–From Manufacturer to the Dealer–What’s New”; and Robert Greenwood, E.K. Williams and Company Ltd., on “The View from the Street–Installers Tell It Like It Is.”

For more information or to register, contact the AIA at (613) 728-5821.

NOTES FROM AROUND:

The Quebec Division raised $700 for the Marion Roberts Scholarship fund at its golf tournament on June 26. About 100 golfers took part.

Lloyd Reynard, Vancouver Island and British Columbia Division, reports a number of news items: the UAP store (formerly JDT) in White Rock has closed; Ed Coates, the president of Lordco, announced that Lordco now has 60 stores and employs 1,500 people; 48 people took part in the AIA Lower Mainland Golf Tournament in Pitt Meadows.

Peter Gilchrist reports from the B.C. Interior that Richard Christenson of Aspen Auto Parts Ltd. in Clearwater, B.C., has now opened an automotive service center in the former Azure Auto location. Gilchrist says that economic conditions in B.C. have forced pullbacks by some jobbers. Mickey’s Auto has temporarily closed branches in Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George. Taylor Automotive of Williams Lake has closed its Prince George branch.

Peter Gilchrist won four gold medals in swimming events at the B.C. Masters Provincials at Salmon Arm.

Doug Dawson reports that the Northern Alberta Division hosted a reception on June 20 at the Holiday Inn in Red Deer for AIA chairman Peter Tekker. About 60 people attended. First vice-chairman Sean Corcelli was also in attendance. The AIA golf tournament in Lacombe on June 21 had a good turnout with 144 golfers participating.

Sandy Ross, chairman of the Central Ontario Division, reports that 96 golfers turned out on June 20 at the Spring Golf tournament at the Springfield Golf Club in Guelph. All proceeds are going to the Marion Roberts Scholarship Fund. The division is committed to raising about $4,000 in aid of that cause.

Note: If you have any information to contribute to this column please call Bob Blans at (905) 844-8616, Fax (905) 844-8731, E-Mail to rblans@sympatico.ca or write to Across Canada Report c/o Jobber News Magazine, 1450 Don Mills Rd., Don Mills, ON M3B 2X7. In addition to AIA Division activities we are interested in hearing from you about the opening of a new business, change of ownership, expansions etc.