AARDA and ARC Join Forces, Holding Their AGMs in Banff Alberta
Written by Ian Hope, Executive Director
Photos by Tim Donovan, Past Executive Director

Whew! I have survived planning and coordinating my second AARDA Conference…and judging by the many very positive comments from members of our Association as well as ARC Members who came from across the country not to mention the good number of accompanying spouses, it was a resounding success! This year‟s conference was very special for AARDA for a number of reasons, most of all because of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada‟s decision to hold their Annual Meeting in Banff on the Sunday following our Friday to Saturday event.

At our Friday evening "Meet and Greet"

The weekend was jam-packed with activities and highlights. This included not only the two annual general meetings themselves, but also insightful learning through valuable training sessions as well as delicious meals and lively socials that allowed for maximum "face time‟ for delegates to schmooze. We had many opportunities that allowed us to get to know one another in a casual format, and to gain new perspectives through sharing our experiences in automotive recycling.

Cheryl Hoimyr from SGI Salvage
"Just kicking back"

In considering the worth of the time spent by the delegates in Banff, a story comes to mind. It is about a wise man who once said (ok, ok, I admit- it may very well have been a woman) that "if I had a dollar and you had a dollar, and you gave me your dollar and I gave you mine, we‟d each walk away with a dollar in our pocket, but- if you had an idea, and I had an idea…and you gave me your idea and I gave you mine, each of us would come out of that exchange with two ideas by which we could benefit." I‟ve always liked that anecdote. It underscores not only the power that can be found in an idea, but also the sheer potential for good and improvement that usually results from exchanging innovative and implementable ideas with one another. That process was particularly evident throughout the weekend at Banff. I believe that most of the delegates to the conference would agree that they came away from Banff with far more intellectual treasure than they had arrived with.
For instance, almost all would have to say that they learned some new techniques about applying their marketing skills through the seminar conducted by Karen Hope of the Marketing Edge- she gave delegates much to think about in terms of how a business can take a fresh look at itself and find those characteristics that are of most value to customers and then bring this to the attention of both existing as well as new customers. At Colin McKean‟s session, he shared some of his experiences and a good number of the key observations made in the course of his many RYR audits- who better to get insights from about how to avoid finding yourself "between a rock and a hard place‟ with an environmental authority, than from a professional who conducts regular audits of compliance to the National Code of Practice? Indeed I could see many delegates making copious notes while Colin spoke.
And doesn‟t it just make sense that you would want to go to someone like Dave Schandor, who has managed a business in Lethbridge for the past 30 years, to pick up new insights and innovations by which to be…as the old saying goes, "nothing speaks like success‟! It is clear that Dave had attended the "school of hard knocks‟ as the ideas that he presented were based entirely on what he‟d found over those thirty years that worked and those things he‟d found that didn‟t.

Dave Schandor sharing his story

Isn‟t this what a great conference is most about, really? Delegates being able to return to their homes at the end of a busy weekend with new ideas on how to improve their shop practices, their environmental controls and safeguards, their marketing and service to customers all of which lead to improvements in the bottom line? For the small investment involved in attending a trade conference such as this, how can a business afford not to send a delegate, or better yet two?
Adding to the variety of the weekend, our conference was addressed by key speakers who included Steve Fletcher the Managing Director of ARC. Steve spoke about the Quebec International Round Table on automotive recycling held in Quebec last fall, and on what is happening with the end of vehicle life programs, and what he expects they will look like in future. Another speaker was Janet Taylor from Summerhill Impact Group who explained what is happening within the Switch Out program, and how its significance is expanding due to the new zero mercury policy being applied to metal purchases.

Janet Taylor of Summerhill Impact Group
Explains the new zero mercury purchase policy

Bob Hamilton, the Executive Director of the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council also stepped up to the podium to explain the many changes that had occurred of late relating to their industry regulation function. The importance of AMVIC to what we do as recyclers is only expected to increase in future, so it was very positive to have him with us, making an address at our AGM and later that day bringing greetings at the Dinner.

Bob Hamilton, the Executive Director of AMVIC
makes a point that has our President smiling!

Last but not least, greetings were brought to our conference by Rick Brown, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment on behalf of his Minister, the Honorable Rob Renner. It was gratifying to hear him directly acknowledge the excellent work being done by AARDA members and how our efforts contribute directly towards their business plan and an improved environment for Albertans. There were two representatives this year from the Alberta Ministry of Environment, which shows progress in the effective working relationship that has continued developing since Cal Dallas, MLA Red Deer, and (then) Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Environment, attended our conference in 2010.Last but not least, greetings were brought to our conference by Rick Brown, the Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment on behalf of his Minister, the Honorable Rob Renner. It was gratifying to hear him directly acknowledge the excellent work being done by AARDA members and how our efforts contribute directly towards their business plan and an improved environment for Albertans. There were two representatives this year from the Alberta Ministry of Environment, which shows progress in the effective working relationship that has continued developing since Cal Dallas, MLA Red Deer, and (then) Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Environment, attended our conference in 2010.

Rick Brown, ADM Alberta Environment clearly
enjoying his address at the AARDA Dinner!

On top of this, there was AARDA‟s AGM on Saturday afternoon with ARC‟s following on Sunday morning. Both meetings were well attended by delegates who seemed to appreciate that this was, after all, a rare and valuable opportunity to sit in, and hear directly the business reports, proposals and debate of their industry representatives at both the provincial and national levels
The Association belongs to you, the members and it was encouraging to see so many of the AARDA recycler and associate members turn out at Banff. I want to thank all of our members who came out and also the many recyclers and associates who travelled long distances from other parts of Canada as well as from the United States. No question that the few days spent at Banff has served to bring us all that much closer to center as we work and cooperate with one another to build a stronger, greener industry.On top of this, there was AARDA‟s AGM on Saturday afternoon with ARC‟s following on Sunday morning. Both meetings were well attended by delegates who seemed to appreciate that this was, after all, a rare and valuable opportunity to sit in, and hear directly the business reports, proposals and debate of their industry representatives at both the provincial and national levels
The Association belongs to you, the members and it was encouraging to see so many of the AARDA recycler and associate members turn out at Banff. I want to thank all of our members who came out and also the many recyclers and associates who travelled long distances from other parts of Canada as well as from the United States. No question that the few days spent at Banff has served to bring us all that much closer to center as we work and cooperate with one another to build a stronger, greener industry.

Ed MacDonald, Past Chair of ARC and
now on ARA Board, Darryl Simmons of
Canadian Auto Recyclers Magazine in
center with Ian Hope on left

As I drove away from Banff with my wife Linda, our faces still sore from our laughter during Kevin Stobo‟s comedy program the night before, we reflected most on the many new faces we had met and the new friends we had made. In the end, I came away from Banff with an enhanced awareness of our industry and also with heightened motivation for the industry that I had joined when I stepped into the role of AARDA‟s Executive Director in 2009. In closing, I am more excited than ever about the automotive recycling industry and what lies ahead for all of us!As I drove away from Banff with my wife Linda, our faces still sore from our laughter during Kevin Stobo‟s comedy program the night before, we reflected most on the many new faces we had met and the new friends we had made. In the end, I came away from Banff with an enhanced awareness of our industry and also with heightened motivation for the industry that I had joined when I stepped into the role of AARDA‟s Executive Director in 2009. In closing, I am more excited than ever about the automotive recycling industry and what lies ahead for all of us!