The festival, which was held in May, was a resounding success

The second annual Evolve Auto Festival has been celebrated as a monumental success after being held on May 17 at Sea World on the Gold Coast, exceeding expectations while highlighting the best in automotive innovation and community spirt.
The AAAA was on-hand in support of the event alongside other industry leaders such as Capricorn and WorldSkills Australia as well as esteemed partners including ZF, Hella Gutmann, Liqui Moly, MAHLE, Schaeffler, The Garage Network, Sealey Tools, Podium, and Valeo, with these organisations all contributing to a diverse and dynamic event.
“Evolve Fest 24 certainly lived up to its promise of being more of a celebration of the automotive industry than a traditional supplier trade event,” AAAA National Membership and Marketing Manager, Nigel Bishop, said.
“The event brought together progressive repairers from around Australia to share and gather knowledge and connect with industry peers; a vision we wholeheartedly align with at the AAAA.
“We were proud to have been invited to support the event and look forward to the next evolution!”
hsy autoparts explains the Evolve Auto Festival is more than just a business gathering; instead explaining it is a platform for people to connect, form friendships, and learn from the industry experts.
“At the heart of the Evolve Auto Festival is a profound appreciation for the people who drive the industry forward,” hsy autoparts Head of Customer Relations and Marketing, Nick Redmond, said.
“The event brings together not only industry leaders and manufacturers but also the unsung heroes of the automotive world – the workshop owners, technicians, and the next generation of talent from TAFEs.
“It is a celebration of the diverse and vibrant community that forms the backbone of the automotive aftermarket.
“It is about meeting new people, training, and having some fun,” added Nick, who stated this emphasis on the human aspect of the industry is what sets Evolve apart and contributes to its unique charm.

hsy autoparts created the festival to address issues highlighted in the ‘Addressing Automotive Skills Shortages’ report commissioned by the AAAA, AADA and MTAQ, which revealed significant gaps in awareness and interaction among the next generation of apprentices and automotive technicians.
The report found that 22 percent of fourth-year apprentices struggled to keep up with formal training, while 34 percent reported unpleasant work environments.
Furthermore, 26 percent of fourth-year apprentices are expected to leave the industry, underscoring the need for better career prospects and learning opportunities.
To mitigate these challenges, hsy formulated the Evolve Auto Festival as an event to foster and showcase a unified industry, building connections that could improve workplace cultures.
The festival’s core message was to celebrate a new era of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and community-building.
By showcasing existing partnerships and actively fostering opportunities for greater collaboration and innovation, the Evolve Auto Festival, now in its second year, aims to improve industry employment and enhance Australia’s standing in the global automotive community.
The search for a new venue for 2025 has already begun, with hopes that both current and new suppliers will join as the festival continues to grow and thrive.
hsy autoparts says the Evolve Auto Festival 2024 has set a new benchmark for future events, stating they are immensely proud of this year’s achievements and are grateful for the enthusiastic participation and support from all involved.

For more information, visit www.hsy.com.au