A completely new style of ADI industry event has proved a great success.

Setting the precedent for a new era of professionalism, The Driving Instructor Convention in association with Drive.Day proved appealing and a worthy and outstanding investment for proactive, professional driver trainers.

It may have been the first of its kind but certainly won’t be the last.

Success on tap

The Driving Instructor Convention was an instant success with the driving instructor audience. A larger-than-anticipated crowd attended the inaugural event, with a turnout of 280 visitors.

The concept came from the productive relationship between Intelligent Instructor and the ADINJC, which is long known for providing high-quality events for the industry.

This was a break from tradition – a paid-for event held in a single room, though there was an adjacent dedicated exhibition area too.

Bringing quality together

Losing the larger conference feel, this had a more community feel in its structure, togetherness, and collaboration. Delegates were treated to high-quality, topic-focused speakers. They delivered in-depth presentations directly aimed at improving the professionalism and understanding of the ADI.

Alongside the presentations, there was plenty of opportunity to network during breaks for food and drinks. It all allowed for a thorough investment in the day, a community feel and a sharing of ideas and thoughts.

Effing and blinding

Tom Stenson, Head of Training at the ADINJC, opened proceedings by treating delegates to the power of the ‘F’ word – ‘Feedback’. It’s an essential skill to master as a trainer and teacher.

Meanwhile, Stewart Lochrie delved deep into the psychology of the teenage brain in a highly thought-provoking presentation, drawing on and referencing other speakers who had participated in the day.

Tommy Sandhu, ‘just an average guy from an average town in the Midlands,’ was easy to relate to. He shared his wisdom and knowledge on how to build a successful business and a multi-car, award-winning franchise. If he can do it, why not you? With the information and advice available throughout the day, there’s little to stop those attending.

Removing the fear

Dr Elizabeth Box has transformed young driver road safety education in recent years. She has been at the forefront of encouraging a move away from fear-based presentations and replacing them with evidence-led programmes, as highlighted by the DriveFit study.

Following this, Ian Edwards shed light on how young drivers are more impulsive than other road users. It’s a huge danger behind the wheel, and one that all ADIs need to be fully aware of and equip their pupils with the skills to counteract them in order to improve road safety for all road user

Road safety, an essential area of our work as driver trainers, was the focus of Olly Tayler’s time in the spotlight. He encouraged instructors to carry the torch as road safety educators by using structured programmes such as The Honest Truth.

You’re in the driving seat

In the afternoon, ADINJC’s President, Lynne Barrie, discussed how to better understand oneself as an instructor. This is essential if you are to deliver teaching of the highest quality.

Highly respected and award-winning ADI, Ray Seagrave, outlined how to master advanced in-car coaching techniques. While stepping outside of the car, Alisha Khan from Driving Test Success shared her formula for amassing over one million social media followers.

The day concluded with the inspirational Meeran Nanran MBE. She shared her experience of not one, not two, but three life-changing tragic moments. These inspired her to work for the greater good of road safety around the ongoing issue of smart motorways. It was a touching, poignant, and powerful presentation that received a standing ovation. It was a fitting way to conclude the day.

You can view a slideshow of images taken during the day here.

Next please…

The organisers believe they “have raised the bar” for the industry, describing it as “a premier-style event”, and one that is “here to stay”. Pencilled in already is a Driving Instructor Convention in the spring of ’25.

Before that comes the free-to-attend National Conference at Newark Showground on 29th September. It is a larger event, and one that promises plenty of high-quality presentations and industry suppliers all in one place. It is a professional, social, networking event for over 1,000 instructors. You can find out more and reserve your place through the website here.