The automotive locksmithing world is gearing up for the second International Association of Automotive Locksmiths (IAAL) Expo, May 14-17, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As a division of ALOA Security Professionals Association, IAAL was created three years ago to address the needs of automotive locksmithing, which is getting more specialized each year, with high-end, often expensive programming equipment and tools required, as well as the need for locksmiths to keep up with the evolution and changes for each car manufacturer’s programmers and software over time.
With so much ground to cover, IAAL President Ed Woods says the education program came together nicely with a full three days of training, just as he had envisioned after the successful inaugural IAAL Auto Expo in 2023.
“The whole program came together because we have such a great bunch of instructors, and many worked with me in the past on other venues like the IAAL event we put on two years ago,” says Woods. “When we did our first Expo, many of our teachers were just independent contractors, but now we have about seven of the instructors who will be teaching at the Expo who went on to get ALOA certified, so they are now ALOA-certified instructors. That may not mean much to some people, but it is a big deal, and I am very excited to have so many great instructors and to be able to offer an additional day of educational classes than we had at the first show.”
ALOA Meeting Planner Kelly Parker adds, “This is a really good program. The ALOA Education department and the IAAL Board dug in deep and tried to find a good variety of classes and things that they felt were trending and of interest for members and for locksmiths working in the auto locksmith division. And so far, we're getting a great response to the education program and registrations are coming in well, so we're excited about that.”
Software-Driven Auto World
While the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) Aftermarket Scan Tool Validation Program has been causing quite a stir with its additional requirements for automotive locksmiths to get validated, Woods says it is helping to eradicate some of the criminal activity that goes on in the aftermarket space, while protecting legitimate locksmiths.
“There are certain states that require different things for licensing and some that don’t, and there's been a change in the industry over the last year led by NASTF to try to crack down on the folks that are skirting the laws,” says Woods. “And NASTF has come under fire by some people because they're stepping up and enforcing things with their program requirements, such as a background check, making sure that we have proper insurance, making sure that if our state requires it, we are licensed, etc., which in turn helps to legitimize the automotive locksmith in my opinion.”
Several education sessions will focus on this important area, as many automobile manufacturers require cars to be programmed using their advanced software.
“The software development is just not coming around in the aftermarket tools,” explains Woods, noting that his instructors usually bring a car to the show to program as part of hands-on training. “My instructors tell me it is a struggle to bring in a car this year, saying, ‘We have no new software.’ So, this manufacturer software topic is something that is going to be a heavy focus moving forward for the automotive locksmith. And because of that we have classes on how to download and use the manufacturer software for GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota, for example.”
As Woods points out, criminals are after the expensive programming equipment, which puts automotive locksmiths at risk. “Over here, in the Chicago-land area last year alone we had a high number of locksmiths robbed at gunpoint, or their vehicles broken into, but that number is going down because of the way the industry is changing and because many of the new cars the thieves want to steal can’t be stolen because of the programming that is required and the credentials needed to program them, such as through NASTF.”
Increased Focus on Training and Education
Overall, Woods is excited about the depth and diversity of topics covered this year, from programming to key systems to running a business, noting, “There is something for everyone this year across the three days of classes and hands-on training.”
One of the highlights is a three-day class on Mercedes-Benz, which is designed to further educate experienced automotive locksmiths on Mercedes-Benz immobilizer key systems, IR Key programming procedures as well as EIS Module Identification. Students will be familiarized with XHorse VVDI MB, Autel IM608 and Abrites programmers during the FBS3 key origination and programming demonstrations. This course is approximately 40% hands-on and students will have the chance to pick and decode MB 10-Cut locks with a Lishi pick and get an up-close view of the Chrysler Crossfire ignition lock repair. Other material includes EIS/ELV removal and the ELV emulator programming process.
For those looking for additional hands-on training, there are several classes each day to choose from, including High Security Automotive Locks taught by Jennifer C. Richards, CRL, CMAL, CAI and Dan Florko, CAI, which will cover most domestic, foreign and some German "high security” mechanical. The class will cover how to make keys, how the locks and tumblers are designed, how to decode keys for pinning cylinders and how to service and repair common lock failures. Students will have hands-on opportunity to work with ignition and door locks from multiple manufacturers.
With the business side of automotive locksmithing being such an important topic, Woods says the education program offers classes on everything from business management to marketing your company. For example, the Digital Marketing and Advertising for the Automotive Locksmith class taught by Travis Howell provides locksmith professionals with the knowledge and skills to harness digital marketing and advertising to grow their client base. The session will cover key topics including SEO, Google Ads, social media marketing, and email campaigns, all tailored to locksmith services.
Another course, Building and Managing a Successful Retail Locksmith Business Instructor, taught by Loni Portie, CLL, CRL, CAI, will provide students with essential skills to open and manage a retail locksmith office. The first area that will be covered is the basics of a business including advertising, recordkeeping, and basic business setup. The second part of the class will dive deep into management, covering areas associated with employees, customers, and the retail portion of the store.
“After completion of this course, you will have the skills and confidence to go out and effectively manage a locksmith retail store, providing students with essential skills to open and manage a retail locksmith office,” says Portie.
Woods is excited to be teaching a class, “Truck Lock Key Generation,” which will focus on making keys for the “big rigs,” he says, “Not pick-ups but 750's and bigger – Peterbilt, Kenworth, Sterling, International, Ford, MACK, Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Volvo, and Freightliner and a few more are what we will be covering. What makes these locks different from the pick-ups? Come find out why these are easy money if you know the locks. Hands-on picking, site reading, and decoding is all part of what we will be doing in this class.”
Location, Location, Location
With a more central location in Cedar Rapids, Parker is excited about this year’s destination and is expecting a great turnout, bigger than the inaugural event.
“That is part of the reason why we picked Cedar Rapids,” she says. “The board worked hard to look for a central location. When we surveyed our members, we heard from many of them that they would like to be able to drive in or be able to fly into a more central location for the show. We picked Cedar Rapids for that reason because it is easy to get to with five major cities around that region there.”
Woods agrees and is expecting a great turnout with the combination of the convenient location, the expansive education and full day of trade show, which will feature the top manufacturers in the automotive space.
“The reason why we chose Cedar Rapids is because it’s one of the most centrally located places in the entire United States,” he explains. “There are so many areas that it's within drivable distance … and there's a lot of people that are going to be driving in rather than flying.”
In addition to the convenient location, Parker points out that everything is located under one roof at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cedar Rapids Convention Complex, which is walking distance to a lot of nightlife.
“We got a really good rate for them at $150 a night and we try really hard to make it as affordable as possible for these attendees to come to the show,” says Parker. “And Cedar Rapids is a cool town. When we did the site visit, we discovered there's lots of great bars and restaurants and fun things to do around the city, like axe throwing – things we felt our attendees would enjoy doing.”
Trade Show Revving Up
On Saturday, May 17, in addition to the approximately 35-40 companies that will be exhibiting, the Expo show floor will feature some exciting demos, giveaways and contests. For example, a Lishi Escape Contest from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. will put contestants in a simulated escape room where they must use Lishi tools to free themselves from their restraints (a padlock) and the room (a deadbolt) and start a getaway car (a vehicle ignition lock). The fastest time of each day wins a prize and bragging rights.
In addition, ALOA PRP testing will be held at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday through ALOA to allow locksmiths to earn certifications, from a Certified Automotive Locksmith (CAL) to many other credentials available. The deadline is April 18 to register for the PRP, and there will be no on-site test registration.
Several companies will be holding educational demonstrations on the show floor, giving techniques on how to use certain products. Check the schedule at the show for full information and times. For more information visit https://aloa.org/iaal.
Paul Ragusa | Senior Editor
Paul Ragusa is senior editor for Locksmith Ledger. He has worked as an editor in the security industry for nearly 10 years. He can be reached at [email protected].
