Biggest Blend yet draws 27% more attendees
More than 400 people from the UK and Ireland's automotive aftermarket gathered at The Blend 2024 to share business ideas and growth strategies, marking a 27 per cent increase from last year.
The vibrant community came together in Birmingham on Saturday 28th September for the fifth annual independent garage conference and networking event.
The sold-out assembly kicked-off with a captivating keynote address from Ray Dilsons, Managing Director at Garage Hive and Event Director at The Blend. A string of new Garage Hive innovations was unveiled, each developed to enhance the workshop efficiency and profitability.
Kirstie Foster, Customer Excellence and Capability Manager at Castrol, then took to the stage for a keynote speech on female inclusivity. She addressed the barriers women face in the garage environment and offered practical tips for making workshops more welcoming to female customers.
The Blend's ‘speed networking’ slot made a return after lunch, giving participants the opportunity to connect and share ideas in a fast-paced, dynamic setting. The session, designed to foster valuable relationships with new connections, proved once again to be a popular highlight.
The afternoon later gave attendees the opportunity to choose from a variety of breakout sessions led by renowned industry leaders, influencers, and innovators. The presentations covered a wide array of topics, from emerging technologies and business growth strategies to human resources and mental health.
John Batten of Auto IQ opened the afternoon talks by stressing the importance of increasing profitability to drive growth and secure long-term success. He was followed by Andy Crook of Atomic Success, who provided an in-depth analysis of the decline of diesel and its impact on garages. Later, James Dillon from Technical Topics explored the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of garage businesses, while Matt Cleevely from Cleevely Group wrapped up the main stage sessions with the latest insights on electric vehicles.
Elsewhere at The Blend, Nathan Taylor from Walsall Wood Tyre & Service shared practical advice on building a strong online presence, while Dean Lomas of DC Lomas recounted his deeply personal journey of overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. Matt Jeffreys of St John’s Garage and RPM Malvern discussed the complexities of acquiring an existing garage, including staff retention and customer poaching challenges. Michael Shaikly of Shaikly Motor Company emphasised ‘customer profiling’ as a key strategy for identifying and retaining ideal clients to boost profits and improve the workplace environment. Louise Baker of Womanic inspired attendees with her vision for shaping the industry's future, while Chay Blyth of Fife AutoTech shared tips on accelerating business achievements, urging garage owners to "be a shark in the ocean, not just another fish." Paul Griffiths from Elite Land Rover weighed the pros and cons of scaling a business.
A total of 23 speakers shared their insights throughout the day, with ample opportunities for peer and supplier networking, including with Castrol and The Race Group, GSF Car Parts, LKQ Euro Car Parts, Pichler Tools, Parts Link 24, Pagid, Garage Services Online, Micheldever, 1Tec Auto Hub, Diagnostic Connections, Autotech Group, Auto IQ, Autogem and DC Lubricants.
As night fell, the community reconvened for a three-course dinner, after which David Massey of ADS Automotive gave the final keynote address of the day. He urged attendees to find a healthy balance between work, family, and personal wellbeing.
Evening entertainment and celebrations followed, with The Blend Awards 2024 hosted by TV’s Alexis Conran.
Shaikly Motor Company was named Garage of the Year in the ‘multilocation’ category, while Intelligent Auto LTD and Lawson AutoTech received awards in the ‘1-4 staff’ and ‘5+ staff’ categories, respectively.
The Community’s Garage of the Year Award went to Oldfields Garage, while Laura Guild of Lawson AutoTech received the Staff Recognition Award. The Community Member of the Year Award was presented to Diana Whetton of PW Auto Repairs, and Castle Garage Ashby was honoured with the Garage Hive Innovator Award.
“Together, we’ve raised the bar once again,” Ray Dilsons, Event Director at The Blend. “We saw over 400 committed, invested, and hard-working garage owners, managers, and industry professionals come together to exchange practical ideas and business-improving strategies.
“Thank you to all of those who attended and to our sponsors for making this conference truly unique.”