The Vast-Auto Distribution team gathered its store and repair shop owners, vendors and business partners at the newly renovated Queen Elizabeth Fairmont Hotel, in Montreal, Que., in February to review the many accomplishments of 2017 and to present the sales, marketing, training and technology strategies and programs for 2018, and to recognize key organizations.

Auto Value Parts Stores, Parts Store of the Year – Crysler Automotive. L-R: Steve Bujold, John Del Vasto, Jeff Landriault, Mario St-Pierre, Martin Gauthier, Steve Morris, Mauro Cifelli, Daniel Malandruccolo.

The event featured a record-breaking trade show where a growing number of automotive parts vendors and service providers had secured their place to meet store and repair shop customers to showcase their promotions, new products or services, equipment and technology. Back for a 3rd year, the Poker Run promotion that offered more than $25,000 of prizes to many customers.

To kick off the second day of the convention, Vast-Auto invited Mylène Paquette, the first person on the American continent to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean from West to East. The impressive story of her adventure – years of preparation and 129 days of travel – moved more than one. With her humility and humanity, Mylène was able to convey a strong message of perseverance and hope to everyone.

Vast-Auto president John Del Vasto offered heartfelt appreciation to all who helped make the year a success.

Focusing on innovation and solutions Vast-Auto’s marketing, sales, IT and purchasing teams presented a series of conferences for store owners and repair shop owners on technology, inventory, recruitment, profitability, increasing and retaining their customer base and to deepen their knowledge to better address the many challenges they face on a daily basis.

The convention wrapped with a recognition banquet. Throughout the banquet, several customers celebrating key anniversaries were honoured; from 5 years to 30 years of loyalty with Vast-Auto Distribution. The evening was also the occasion to present the “2017 Laureates” awards for Vendor of the year, and to the winners of each repair shop and store banner.

John Del Vasto, president of Vast-Auto Distribution, addressed the guests with emotion and took the opportunity to reiterate his gratitude and respect towards the vendors, customers and employees who work for the success of all store and repair shop members and of the company he founded more than thirty years ago. The evening ended with the Tonic Band providing live dance music.

Connect with Vast-Auto Distribution at www.vastauto.com.

OCTO Auto Service Plus, Workshop of the Year – OCTO Pointe-aux-Trembles. L-R: Daniel Malandruccolo, Martin Montpas, Mario Iacovone.

Supplier of the Year : AGNA. L-R: Joey Micelli, Gary Ohanian, Raffi Ohanian, Guyanne Boulay, Zota Catalin, Nelson Estrela.

Mister Muffler, Workshop of the Year – Monsieur Muffler Lévis. L-R: Daniel Malandruccolo, Patrick Courcy, Jean Robitaille.

Auto Value Certified Service Centre, Workshop of the Year – Pneus Varennes. L-R: Daniel Paul, Paul Péloquin, Martin Charbonneau, Steve Bujold.

Auto Mécano, Workshop of the Year – Multi-Service Auto Rustcheck. L-R: Steve Bujold, Daniel Paul, Christian Bourque, Roxanne Chartrand, Perry Wener.