BTC Think Tanks

The Business Technology Council (BTC) hosts Think Tanks on specific topics, bringing members together monthly to explore challenges, share ideas, and develop potential solutions. These collaborative discussions have already delivered significant value to participants. Think Tanks are an exclusive benefit for BTC members, who are encouraged to involve colleagues from their organizations.

For more information or to join, please contact Todd Campau.

Current Think Tanks

• AI in Action: Real Applications for the Automotive and Heavy-Duty Aftermarket – Kavya Chandra, PhaseZero, Ram ChandraSekar, PhaseZero.
  AI is empowering automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket businesses to operate, compete and serve customers more effectively. This Think Tank explores practical applications across the areas that matter most: supporting workforce transitions, meeting modern buyer expectations, improving sales and marketing effectiveness, making smarter inventory and pricing decisions, and responding to supply chain disruptions from tariffs and global events. The focus is on AI that augments your people and processes, helping teams make better decisions without replacing the expertise and relationships that drive your business. Co-led by practitioners at PhaseZero with deployed AI applications and validated results in the aftermarket. Starting Soon.
   
• Cybersecurity in an AI World – Hemant Damani, Niterra North America, Inc.
  The Cybersecurity Think Tank concentrates on helping overcome typical security issues while considering the latest threats as technology and business scenarios evolve. An example would be the impact of AI on how we manage Cybersecurity. Our objective is to develop and exchange ideas, regardless of the topic—compliance, phishing schemes, user awareness or technical controls. We'll concentrate on the main dangers to our companies and how best to address them. Meetings typically occur on the 4th Thursday of each month from 2:00- 3:00 p.m. ET.
   
• Repair Shop Automation: Driving Parts Sales
  Many new technologies promise to drive automation and innovation at the shop level, which can lead to more repairs and more parts sales. This new BTC Think Tank will explore automated scheduling, DVI and other technologies and their impacts on the supply chain.

Annual Think Tank Challenge

The Think Tank Challenge highlights the work each group develops throughout the year on its selected topic. At BTC Fall Meeting Part 1 each September, Think Tanks present their findings and key deliverables to BTC members, who vote for their favorite. The winning Think Tank is then announced from the main stage at the Aftermarket Technology Conference in October and recognized below.

Previous Think Tank Winners

2025: Cybersecurity in an AI World – Press Release
2024: Global e-Tailing – Press Release
2023: Emerging Vehicle Technologies– Press Release
2022: Emerging Vehicle Technologies – Press Release 
2021: eCommerce Readiness – Press Release