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 likemechanical specialistto elevate professionalism and attract new talent.

Ragan hopes every attendee left with three things:

1. New knowledge to solve future shop challenges

2. A fun memory to brighten tough days

3. A new connection they can call for advice