The conference started with the traditional round of golf at the Sherbrooke Golf Club and was followed by a casual dinner. The real meat of the annual meeting began with the next day's activities, starting with the Annual General Association meeting, reserved for ARPAC members only. This was followed by a presentation by Patrice Vachon of Fasken Martineau on business transfers. 

 

ARPAC members again met after lunch for an interactive question session. Michel Gou then gave a presentation on the proper handling of airbags, followed by Jean-Guy Trottier, who spoke on AUTO Prevention, a little-known resource dedicated to helping prevent accidents in the automotive services industry. The first full day of the meeting ended with cocktails and dinner at the host hotel,  followed by the Alter Ego show and dance. 

 

 

The Saturday session began with a well-received address by Jacques Demers, Canadian senator and former NHL coach of teams such as the Quebec Nordiques, Montreal Canadiens and others. Demers' keynote address was followed by a whirlwind opportunity to visit the trade show. After lunch, attendees were treated to a discussion on the differences in perception and reality when it comes to due diligence, presented by Maryline Rosan, lawyer and workplace health and safety counsellor. 

 

The last speaker of the day was wheelchair racer Chantal Peticlerc. Peticlerc lost the use of her legs at 13. Her high school gym teacher, Gaston Jacques encouraged her to try swimming to develop herself physcially. At the age of 18, she took part in her first wheelchair race, coming in dead last. She perservered, however, eventually competing in the Paralympic Games on numerous occasions. To date, she has won 14 Gold medals at the Paralympics, with a total medal count of 21. 

 

Two auctions were held to support the ARPAC Foundation, an automobile auction and a silent auction. The Saturday session concluded with the ARPAC banquet, and entertainment provided by comedian Patrick Groulx. 

 

The final day of the meeting included a tour of Certi-Auto. For more information on ARPAC, please visit arpac.org.