Event Overview
The 2026 VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo is one of the major yearly training events for independent automotive and collision repair professionals. It brings together owners, managers, estimators, and technicians for focused classes and peer networking.
For many regional shops, this event is close enough to attend without major travel complexity, and broad enough to support both management decisions and technical skill development.
2026 Event Details at a Glance
- Event: 2026 VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo
- Dates: March 5-8, 2026
- Location: Overland Park, Kansas
- Expo Booth: Visit Mitchell 1 at Booth 719
- Format: Multi-day educational conference with four training tracks
- Sponsored by: Mitchell 1
Why This Matters for Shop Owners in the Region
- Get management and technician training in one event, so your entire team benefits.
- Compare workflow strategies with other Midwest shops facing similar labor and margin pressure.
- Review proven shop systems before committing to new process changes or software upgrades.
- Bring back practical checklists your team can apply in weekly production meetings.
Training Tracks to Plan Around
The conference is structured into four primary class tracks. If you are sending multiple team members, split coverage so each person owns one track and shares notes with the full team after the event:
- Management: Leadership, staffing, profitability, and shop operations.
- Technical: Diagnostics, repair procedures, and advanced service skills.
- Estimating and Collision Repair: Estimating quality and collision workflows.
- Technician: Hands-on, productivity-focused instruction for bay execution.
Suggested Plan for Small and Mid-Size Shops
- Pick one KPI before you go: Example: cycle time, average RO, or comeback rate.
- Choose classes by KPI impact: Prioritize sessions that can move that metric.
- Capture action items live: Keep a shared list of process changes worth testing.
- Run a 30-day implementation sprint: Assign owners, deadlines, and follow-up reviews.
Turn Event Learning into Measurable Results
- Update your service advisor scripts based on management and communication sessions.
- Standardize diagnostic steps for the top five recurring repair categories in your shop.
- Create two new SOPs from your notes and train the team in the next toolbox meeting.
- Track results weekly in Manager SE so improvements are visible and repeatable.
Source and Registration
Read the official announcement from Mitchell 1: 2026 VISION Hi-Tech Training and Expo Press Release.
Event schedules and speaker details can change, so confirm the latest agenda on the official event pages before booking travel.
Need Help Applying What You Learn?
After the expo, we can help you prioritize software setup, workflow updates, and team training so your shop gets real ROI from the trip.
Request Free Demo Contact Local Team