The Value of Diverse Training at ASTA 2025: From Finance to Mental Health [RR 1068]

Recorded Live at ASTA 2025, Ryan Ragan, Executive Director of ASTA, discusses the explosive growth of the event, Ragan’s long-term vision, the wildly creative opening-night party, and the industry-wide push to elevate professional language in the automotive field.

Episode Highlights

Record-Breaking Growth:
ASTA 2025 moved to a larger venue and saw a 34–35% increase in registrations, reaching four-digit attendance. Ragan restructured the expo for better vendor ROI, including a shop-owner-only show-floor window on opening night. His biggest hurdle wasn’t logistics—it was convincing people that such a massive upgrade was even possible on a tight timeline. The payoff came when an attendee told him the show felt like the “SEMA of the East.”

“Out of This World” Theme:
ASTA’s first themed expo featured an alien-inspired opening night with a mechanical bull, giant dartboard, sumo matches (announced by Carm), and 10-ft champagne-serving aliens.

Education & Professionalism:
Ragan stressed the importance of ongoing training in an era where cars are “rolling computers.”
A major topic: shifting industry language—embracing titles like mechanical specialist to elevate professionalism and attract new talent.

Ragan hopes every attendee left with three things:

New knowledge to solve future shop challenges

A fun memory to brighten tough days

A new connection they can call for advice

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