Thu, October 8th, 2026

|

Louisville, KY

2026 Parts & Service Management Conference

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Register

Event Overview

Why Attend

Gain practical tools and insights on metrics, inventory, and more to keep your parts and service teams ahead in an evolving industry.

Register

Insight

Participate in interactive roundtable discussions about key industry topics.

Expertise

Hear from industry experts who inspire, educate, and empower others.

Knowledge

Discover the tools to set goals and develop them from strategy to execution.

Network

Connect with industry peers to gain insights and expand your network.

Event Speakers & Facilitators

Learn From the Best

Thomas Austin

Supply Chain Director
LiftOne

TJ Ball

Branch & Service Manager Milwaukee 
Fairchild Equipment

Mike French

Vice President Operations
ProLift Toyota Material Handling

James Maloney

Inventory Control Manager
LiftOne

Jim Ripkey

President Industrial Equipment
Hy-Tek Intralogistics
The Experience

Join Your Industry Peers For This One-Day Best Practices Conference!

Connect with like-minded professionals, share ideas, and gain practical insights to elevate your Parts and Service operations. This is a must-attend event for anyone striving to achieve excellence in these critical areas.

AGENDA

Featured Sessions

Thu, Oct 8
8:00 - 8:30 am
Transportation
Bus Transportation to ProLift Toyota Material Handling
Complimentary bus transportation will be provided from the Embassy Suites Hotel to the conference location at ProLift Toyota Material Handling.
Thu, Oct 8
8:30 - 9:00 am
Registration & Breakfast
Registration & Breakfast
When you arrive, be sure to stop by the MHEDA registration desk to pick up your name badge. Then, grab some breakfast to kickstart your day.
Thu, Oct 8
9:00 - 9:15 am
Welcome
Welcome & Introductions
Join MHEDA and ProLift Toyota Material Handling as we welcome attendees and kick off a day focused on strengthening parts and service operations. Connect with industry peers, exchange best practices, and prepare for a full day of practical insights designed to improve performance and profitability.
Thu, Oct 8
9:15 - 10:15 am
Presentation
Service & Parts Operations Metrics
Presented by Mike French, Vice President Operations, ProLift Toyota Material Handling
Gain a deeper understanding of the financial and operational metrics that drive successful parts and service departments. This session will explore key performance indicators, benchmark targets, and practical strategies for identifying gaps and improving results.
Thu, Oct 8
10:15 - 10:30 am
Break
Morning Break
Take a moment to relax and recharge with light refreshments during the morning break.
Thu, Oct 8
10:30 - 11:30 am
Presentation
Inventory Management
Presented by Thomas Austin, Supply Chain Director, and James Maloney, Inventory Control Manager, Liftone
Learn the fundamentals of effective parts inventory management, from maintaining the right inventory levels to improving inventory performance. This session will cover key inventory metrics, van inventory strategies, consignment practices, and approaches for managing OEM and dealer inventory challenges.
Thu, Oct 8
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Lunch
Lunch Break
Take a well-earned lunch break to relax and engage with fellow attendees. Use this time to connect, exchange ideas, and enjoy a casual atmosphere before the rest of the day continues.
Thu, Oct 8
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Roundtable
Roundtable Discussions
Gain valuable insight while engaging with peers on issues impacting the industry today in interactive roundtable discussions designed to encourage idea sharing and meaningful conversation.
Thu, Oct 8
1:45 - 2:30 pm
Presentation
Aftermarket Sales
Presented by TJ Ball, Milwaukee Branch & Service Manager, Fairchild Equipment
Explore proven strategies for growing aftermarket sales from a dealer's perspective. This session will cover staffing and performance expectations, sales and growth targets, promotional strategies, and the evolving impact of eCommerce on aftermarket success.
Thu, Oct 8
2:30 - 2:45 pm
Break
Afternoon Break
Take a moment to relax and recharge with light refreshments during the afternoon break.
Thu, Oct 8
2:45 - 3:45 pm
Roundtable
Roundtable Discussions
Gain valuable insight while engaging with peers on issues impacting the industry today in interactive roundtable discussions designed to encourage idea sharing and meaningful conversation.
Thu, Oct 8
4:00 - 4:30 pm
Tour
Tour of ProLift Toyota Material Handling
Gain valuable insights into Toyota's world-class operations while engaging with peers on the issues impacting the industry today.
Thu, Oct 8
4:30 - 5:30 pm
Reception
Networking Reception
Join us for a relaxed happy hour reception, perfect for connecting with industry peers, meeting new contacts, and unwinding after a productive day.
Thu, Oct 8
5:30 - 6:30 pm
Transportation
Bus Transportation to Embassy Suites Hotel
Complimentary bus transportation will be provided from ProLift Toyota Material Handling to the Embassy Suites Hotel.

Interested in Sponsoring?

MHEDA Members have the exclusive opportunity to sponsor this event, gaining valuable visibility and demonstrating their support for the industry while connecting with key decision-makers and influencers.

Get Started

Pricing

Register to Attend

Included in the registration fee is admittance to the event, all handout material, continental breakfast, networking luncheon, and refreshment breaks. Does not include travel or hotel accommodations.

Early Bird

$495

Per Person Rate Expires
September 18, 2026

Register

Member

$695

Per Person Rate After
September 18, 2026

Register

Non-Member

$1,095

Per Person Rate For
Non-Members

Register

Location

ProLift Toyota Material Handling

This event will be hosted at ProLift Toyota Material Handling located 20 minutes from Louisville Muhammad D. Ali International Airport (SDF).

Address

13001 Plantside Dr
Louisville, KY 40299

MORE INFO

Embassy Suites by Hilton Louisville East

Located just 25 miles from the Louisville International Airport, this all-suite property offers spacious accommodations, a complimentary evening reception in the atrium, and convenient amenities to make your stay comfortable during the event.

Address

9940 Corporate Campus Drive
Louisville, KY 40223

book a room

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Thomas Austin

Supply Chain Director, LiftOne

With more than 20 years in supply chain operations, Thomas Austin has built his career around solving operational challenges and helping organizations work smarter. He has completed multiple SAP implementations, overseen the relocation of Primary Distribution Centers, and helped transform supply chain operations through process improvement and technology. As Supply Chain Director for LiftOne, he leads initiatives across inventory management, logistics, warehousing and fulfillment. Thomas enjoys sharing real-world experiences, what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons learned along the way.

TJ Ball

Milwaukee Branch & Service Manager, Fairchild Equipment

T.J. brings in nearly two decades of experience in the material handling and heavy equipment industries. He joined Fairchild Equipment in 2023 as a Rental Coordinator before being promoted to Branch Manager. In 2024, he transitioned to Lakeside International as General Manager of the Milwaukee dealership. In May 2026, he returned to Fairchild Equipment as Branch Manager, where he continues to focus on operational excellence, employee development, and delivering exceptional customer service. Drawing on experience from every level of the business, T.J. is passionate about building high-performing teams and sharing practical leadership strategies that can be applied throughout the equipment industry.

Mike French

Vice President Operations, ProLift Toyota Material Handling

Mike has more than 40 years of leadership experience in the material handling industry, specializing in operations, strategic planning, organizational development, and business growth. Throughout his career, he has held executive leadership positions with ProLift Toyota Material Handling, Toyota Material Handling North America, Carolina Handling, and Crown (OKI Systems), where he has led multi-state operations and successfully developed high-performing leadership teams. His leadership philosophy centers on developing people, creating accountability through measurable performance, and positioning organizations for sustainable long-term growth.

James Maloney

Inventory Control Manager, LiftOne

James leads inventory planning and control strategy across 21 plants and more than 800 locations, including technician vans and on-site customer storage locations. He is responsible for shaping the policies and processes that keep inventory accurate, available, and efficiently positioned across a large, distributed field operation.

Jim Ripkey

President, Industrial Equipment, for Hy-Tek Intralogistics

Jim Ripkey is the Conference Facilitator and President of Industrial Equipment at Hy-Tek Intralogistics, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. He brings over 35 years of experience in the material handling industry, with leadership roles spanning sales, operations, marketing, and administration. Jim also serves on MHEDA’s Board of Directors.

John Doe

Director of Awsome, ABC Corporation

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Gene Marks

CPA, National Business Columnist, Author & Speaker

Gene Marks is a past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post. Gene now writes regularly for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Times, and The Guardian. Gene is a best-selling author and has written 5 books on business management. Gene appears on Fox Business, MSNBC, as well as CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor and SiriusXM’s Wharton Business Channel where he talks about the financial, economic and technology issues that affect business leaders today. Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies and provides actionable insights.

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