Stop Winging It. Start Winning.
Plan With The Pros:Your 2026 Auto Repair Shop Marketing Strategy Starts Here
Seats are Limited. Reserve Yours Today!
Most shop owners treat marketing like an afterthought. But guesswork, gut decisions, and last-minute tactics cost more than just money. They cost you growth.
Plan With The Pros is a 2 and a half-day immersive workshop where you’ll build a complete, strategic marketing plan for 2026, customized to your shop, your goals, and your budget.
This year’s event takes place at the historic Thayer Hotel on the campus of West Point, offering the perfect setting to step away from daily distractions and refocus on the future of your business.
Note: This will be the final year the event takes place at The Thayer Hotel at West Point. Starting in 2027, Plan With The Pros will be hosted at a new location each year. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind setting!
Date
October 27-30, 2025
What is Plan With The Pros?
It’s your opportunity to pause, plan, and lead with purpose.
Over two and a half focused days with the Shop Marketing Pros team and fellow shop owners, you’ll create a yearlong marketing plan you can trust. No more guessing. No more stress.
This event blends strategy, structure, and inspiration, all in a powerful location rich in history and leadership. The Thayer Hotel at West Point sets the tone for strategic thinking and bold decision-making.
Here’s What You’ll Get:
- Two and a half days of hands-on training with the Shop Marketing Pros team
- A complete, personalized marketing plan for 2026
- Three nights of lodging at the beautiful Thayer Hotel at West Point
- All meals covered: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks
- An off-site dinner experience to connect and unwind
- Round-trip transportation to and from the airport
- A private, guided tour of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
- Time to collaborate, network, and build with other shop owners
The cost to attend includes everything above. All you need to do is book your airfare! One ticket Plan With the Pros is $3,000 (Total Value over $8,000 per person). If two people from your shop attend and share a room, the two tickets are discounted to $4,500 for the pair.
Prices will increase in June, so take advantage of the lowest cost and payment plans in May!
Marketing Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought. It Should Be Your Advantage.
This workshop is designed for shop owners who are ready to lead with clarity, not scramble through another year of scattered tactics. You’ll leave with:
A clear,
strategic roadmap
for 2026
The ability
to say “no” to
what doesn’t align
A network
of like-minded
shop owners
Ongoing
support and
collaboration
What Past Attendees Say
“To tell you the truth I cannot think of anything. I really appreciated all Kim & Caroline did for this event. You girls are spot on!”
– Paula Jean Schuh
This Isn’t a Conference. It’s a Marketing Workshop.
You won’t just sit and listen. Plan With The Pros is a hands-on workshop where you’ll roll up your sleeves, work alongside industry pros, and build a real marketing plan for your shop.
This is a focused, small-group experience designed for action and not inspiration overload. You’ll get personalized guidance, collaborate with other shop owners, and leave with a clear, customized strategy you can use all year.
Clarity. Confidence. Control Over Your Marketing.
You’ve spent enough time reacting. Now it’s time to lead with clarity, confidence, and a plan you believe in.
Join us at Plan With The Pros and walk away with a complete marketing strategy tailored to your shop, your goals, and your future.
Don’t miss your chance to plan ahead and grow with purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost to attend Plan With The Pros?
The cost is $3,000 per person or $4,500 for two people from the same shop who share a room. If two people are attending from your shop, but are not sharing a room, please complete two individual registrations. The total cost for this would be $6,000. The cost to attend includes all meals, courses, excursions, and transportation to and from the airport. The only additional expense is your airfare.
What is the agenda?
We’ll open the event on day one with a private tour of West Point, followed by a group dinner at The Thayer Hotel.
On day two, we will begin outlining your marketing plan. This will include:
- A SWOT analysis
- Goal setting
- Defining your budget
- Defining your ideal customer
- Digital marketing tactics
- Traditional marketing tactics
- How to create loyal customers
- How to get involved in your community for increased brand awareness
We’ll finish the day with an off-site dinner.
Day three will include:
- Quarterly and monthly marketing campaign ideas
- Determining which marketing strategies you will implement in your shop
- A collaborative work session to develop your shop’s personalized plan
On day four, you will present your marketing plan to the other shop owners to complete the workshop.
Why West Point?
Brian and Kim Walker, the owners of Shop Marketing Pros, come from a Military family. Their son is set to graduate from West Point in May 2026, so they have grown to love the campus, its history, and its beauty. Beyond their personal connection, West Point and The Thayer Hotel offer an experience that is like no other when it comes to planning growth and success. This is where the U.S. Military trains and educates its officers, which results in a strong sense of purpose and dedication you can feel down to your bones while on its grounds. We believe this makes it the perfect environment to step away from the shop and think strategically about the future of your business.
What should I expect from this event?
You can expect two focused days of building a better business, not just listening to people speak. You’ll leave with a fully customized marketing strategy for your shop, created with expert guidance and collaboration from like-minded shop owners. It’s a small-group, high-impact experience with everything included—from lodging to meals to transportation.
What do I need to do to prepare?
After registration, we’ll send you a pre-planning outline to understand your goals, challenges, current marketing efforts, and shop statistics. Once you gather this information, there is no need to bring anything but your laptop and your vision—we’ll provide the rest.
When can I book my travel?
Once your registration is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with a travel guide for the airport and booking timelines. We’ll also coordinate your round-trip transportation between the airport and the hotel on travel days.
Is my ticket refundable?
No, but it is transferable. If you are unable to attend, you may send someone else in your place or you may sell your ticket. If you choose to do this, please email us at info@shopmarketingpros.com to make us aware of the change.
