Second Life Sessions: 19 Conversations with Tech Repair, Reuse & E-Waste Leaders

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We went to Mobile Disrupt with a camera and a list of the most interesting people in the tech care ecosystem. We came home with 19 conversations about repair, reuse, and the fight against e-waste, and they are all coming to the TCA YouTube channel.

By Rob Link, Founder & CEO, Tech Care Association · August 3, 2026 · 7 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Second Life Sessions is a new TCA interview series: 19 one-on-one conversations filmed at Mobile Disrupt in Miami with people working across repair, reuse, reverse logistics, and responsible recycling.
  • The interviews were conducted by Emily Blethen, whose sustainability background connects the day-to-day work of repair back to the bigger environmental picture.
  • Every guest answered the same four questions, including the big one: what do you wish more people understood about the e-waste crisis?
  • Episodes land on the TCA YouTube channel in the coming weeks, with shorts and clips rolling out across our socials. Subscribe now so you don't miss the launch.

What's in this post

  1. The person behind the camera
  2. The questions we asked
  3. Meet the guests
  4. You're going to want to watch these
  5. Why we show up, and why you should too
  6. Help us tell their stories
  7. Common questions about Second Life Sessions

If you've followed the TCA for any length of time, you know one of my favorite things to do: promote the people in this industry who are doing great things. And here's the truth. We have so many people doing great things. Repair educators. Shop owners. Software builders. Parts suppliers. Recyclers. Reuse advocates. People quietly solving hard problems every single day, keeping devices in use and out of landfills.

Their stories deserve to be told. So we're telling them.

At Mobile Disrupt, while thousands of repair professionals, refurbishers, and industry partners were networking on the show floor, our team was pulling some of the most interesting people in the tech care ecosystem aside for one-on-one interviews. The result is Second Life Sessions, a new interview series from the TCA exploring repair, reuse, and the fight against e-waste, told through the voices of the people actually doing the work.

Second Life Sessions by the numbers: 19 guests, 17 organizations, 1 show floor. A new interview series from the Tech Care Association, filmed at Mobile Disrupt 2026 in Miami.

The Person Behind the Camera

The Second Life Sessions interviews were conducted by Emily Blethen, who recently completed her Master of the Environment, Renewable & Sustainable Energy degree at the University of Colorado Boulder. Emily has been working with the TCA this summer to help expand our reach and complete special projects for the association. This series is a perfect example of what that partnership makes possible. Her background in sustainability brought exactly the right lens to these conversations: every interview connects the day-to-day work of repair and reuse back to the bigger environmental picture.

The Questions We Asked

Every guest sat down with the same core questions.

The four questions asked of every Second Life Sessions guest: where their work fits in the electronics life cycle, what they are building, how their work creates access to technology, and what they wish more people understood about the e-waste crisis.

The answers surprised us, and we think they'll surprise you too. Here's just one example, from our conversation with Ansar Khan of RepairDesk, whose platform serves as the operating system for independent repair stores around the world. His team integrates directly with major parts suppliers so store inventory manages itself, gives their software free to university repair centers, and is setting up a nonprofit that trains people with disabilities for careers in repair. But when we asked what he wished more people understood about the e-waste crisis, his answer was disarmingly honest: that repair stores exist. Before joining the industry, he didn't realize he could walk down the street and get his phone fixed, or at least get a quote.

"I'm guilty of defaulting to 'let's buy a new phone,'" he admitted, "partly because the carriers make it so easy with their deals."

Think about that. Someone now working at the heart of the repair industry once didn't know repair was an option. If that awareness gap exists even among tech professionals, imagine how wide it is among everyday consumers. Closing that gap is exactly why Second Life Sessions exists.

Meet the Guests

Here's the full Second Life Sessions lineup: the people doing great things, and the corner of the electronics life cycle where each of them is doing it.

Many of the people on this list I am proud, and have the pleasure, to call longtime good friends. And some of the new people I met at Mobile Disrupt will be soon enough. That's the way this industry works.

  • Ansar Khan (RepairDesk): The point-of-sale platform powering independent repair stores worldwide, on automating inventory and opening doors into repair careers.
  • Brennan Zelener (WholeCell): Inventory software built for the used-device business, where tracking every phone is the difference between profit and chaos.
  • Austin Martin (iFixit Pro): The most recognized name in repair education, on why repair should be every student's superpower.
  • Steve Manning (FutureDial): Automating the processing of used mobile devices at scale. The machinery behind the second-life economy.
  • Eden Morrison (URT): The responsible recycling side of the story: what happens when a device truly reaches the end of the line.
  • Tony Sciarrotta (former Executive Director, Reverse Logistics Association): A global authority on the returns industry, on returns, recovery, and why what flows backward through the supply chain matters as much as what flows forward.
  • Shannon Fertitta (RIOS): The Executive Director of the Recycling Industry Operating Standard, on what responsible recycling really requires, and why certification matters for everyone downstream.
  • Jon Newman (PrologMobile): The data behind the second-life device market, bringing transparency to every used phone that changes hands.
  • Frank Pipolo (FutureDial): A second perspective from the device-processing world on where automation is taking the industry.
  • Eric Houdek (Phone LCD Parts): The parts supply chain that keeps every repair bench in business.
  • Joel Mansnerus (Fixably): Repair management software, and what thousands of repair workflows reveal about where the industry is heading.
  • Peter Evans (All Things Circular): The circular economy in practice. Designing waste out of the system entirely.
  • Sandy Zimmerman & Jodi Ortiz (VT Services): A joint conversation, and one of the most energetic sessions we recorded, on their corner of the tech care world.
  • Michael Leiberman (Aeris Protective Packaging): Eco-friendly, recyclable air-chamber packaging that gets devices where they're going in one piece. A second life starts with surviving the shipment.
  • Louis Garcia Fabucci (Cellphone MD): The origin story so many shop owners will recognize: from one repair bench to a thriving business.
  • Jordan Notenbaum (MobileSentrix): Inside one of the largest parts and tools suppliers in the industry. The ecosystem repair shops depend on every single week.
  • Alberto Delgadillo (Mannapov): On the global trade in used devices and what it takes to do it right.
  • Chris Hale (SmartphonesPLUS): The buyback business. Turning the phone in your drawer into value instead of waste.
  • Rich Bulger (All Things Circular): Closing the loop on circularity, and what it takes to make reuse the default rather than the exception.

Every one of these guests gets their own full episode. These are just the opening notes. The real stories are in the conversations.

Diagram showing where the Second Life Sessions guests fit across the electronics life cycle: repair and education, parts and tools, processing and data, reuse and resale, logistics and packaging, and recycling and circularity.

You're Going to Want to Watch These

Here's the exciting part: it all starts in the coming weeks. All Second Life Sessions interviews will be published on the TCA YouTube channel, and we'll be releasing shorts, clips, quote cards, and highlights across our social channels throughout the series. Keep an eye out for all of our content on these interviews everywhere you follow the TCA. Sneak peeks are already rolling out, the series trailer is right around the corner, and full episodes follow close behind.

Trust us, you're going to want to watch these:

  • Learn from people who've done it. Every guest has built something: a shop, a platform, a training program, a recycling operation. These are practical insights from practitioners, not theory.
  • See the whole life cycle. Most of us work in one slice of the electronics life cycle. These interviews connect the dots between repair, refurbishment, reuse, and responsible recycling.
  • Find your next partner or idea. More than one guest described projects, integrations, and community programs that could spark your next revenue stream or collaboration.
  • Get fluent in the e-waste conversation. When customers ask why repair matters, you'll have stories and perspectives to share, straight from the people leading the movement.

Subscribe to the channel now so you don't miss a single episode, and watch our social feeds over the coming weeks. The previews, the trailer, and the first interviews are all on their way.

Why We Show Up, and Why You Should Too

None of these conversations would have happened if we hadn't been in the room. That's the thing about industry events: the best outcomes are almost never on the agenda. They happen in hallways, at booths, and across a camera lens between sessions.

Earlier this year, we made the case that 2026 is the year to show up. In an era of digital disconnect, in-person connection is one of the most valuable investments a repair professional can make. Second Life Sessions is proof of concept. We showed up at Mobile Disrupt, and we came home with 19 conversations worth sharing with the entire industry.

And we're not slowing down. This week, the TCA will be at the ITAD Summit (August 4–5), where the IT asset disposition world gathers to talk data security, value recovery, and responsible end-of-life management. Then on August 18–19, we'll be at the All Wireless & Prepaid Expo, one of the biggest gatherings for the wireless, prepaid, and repair retail community.

If you're attending either event, come find us. We'd love to meet you. And if you're still deciding which events deserve your time this year, the TCA Industry Events Calendar is the industry's only complete, independent, no-kickbacks list of tech repair, reuse, and tech care events. It's the best place to keep up to date on everything happening in this industry, all year long.

Help Us Tell Their Stories

This industry is full of people doing great things. Far more than one series can capture. Second Life Sessions is 19 stories. There are thousands more out there, waiting to be told.

The TCA is a nonprofit, and everything we produce, from this series to our free resources and the events calendar, is funded by the members who believe this industry deserves to be seen and heard. With more support from the industry, by joining the TCA, we can produce more content like this, so that more people can learn about what we do: how repair works, why reuse matters, and who the people behind it all really are.

So here's what you can do today:

  1. Subscribe to the TCA YouTube channel and turn on notifications for the series launch.
  2. Follow us on social for shorts and clips from the interviews over the next few months.
  3. Join the TCA and help us tell the stories of the people doing great things in this industry.

We can't wait to share them with you.

Common Questions About Second Life Sessions

What is Second Life Sessions?

Second Life Sessions is a video interview series from the Tech Care Association (the TCA) featuring 19 conversations with leaders in tech repair, reuse, and electronics recycling, filmed at Mobile Disrupt in Miami.

Where can I watch Second Life Sessions?

All Second Life Sessions episodes will be published on the TCA YouTube channel, with shorts and clips shared across the TCA's social media channels. Subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications to catch the series launch.

Who is featured in Second Life Sessions?

The series features Ansar Khan (RepairDesk), Brennan Zelener (WholeCell), Austin Martin (iFixit Pro), Steve Manning (FutureDial), Eden Morrison (URT), Tony Sciarrotta (former Executive Director, Reverse Logistics Association), Shannon Fertitta (RIOS), Jon Newman (PrologMobile), Frank Pipolo (FutureDial), Eric Houdek (Phone LCD Parts), Joel Mansnerus (Fixably), Peter Evans (All Things Circular), Sandy Zimmerman and Jodi Ortiz (VT Services), Michael Leiberman (Aeris Protective Packaging), Louis Garcia Fabucci (Cellphone MD), Jordan Notenbaum (MobileSentrix), Alberto Delgadillo (Mannapov), Chris Hale (SmartphonesPLUS), and Rich Bulger (All Things Circular).

Build your future with the TCA

Industry interviews, creator collaborations, market data, events, and advocacy built specifically for independent tech repair professionals. Membership starts free.

Join the TCA Community

More from the TCA Blog

Rob Link is the founder of the TCA. The TCA is independent of carriers, manufacturers, and insurance companies, which is exactly why it can tell the whole channel the truth about where this industry is headed.

Sources: Interviews recorded at Mobile Disrupt, Miami, July 7 and 8, 2026. Guest roles and affiliations confirmed against interview footage and public records. The Tech Care Association (TCA) is the leading nonprofit trade association for independent tech repair professionals in North America.

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The Summer 2026 Skill-Up: 8 Tech Repair Creators Posting Gold Right Now

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Slow season is training season. We went through 30 days of posts from the creators the TCA tracks daily and pulled the eight channels earning your bench hours right now, plus the live selling trend we watched happen in real time at Mobile Disrupt in Miami.

By Rob Link, Founder & CEO, Tech Care Association · July 13, 2026 · 8 min read

Key Takeaways

  • The TCA tracks dozens of tech repair content creators every day. Eight of them posted standout material in the last 30 days, from board-level saves to shop marketing masterclasses.
  • Live selling was everywhere at Mobile Disrupt in Miami. eBay Live and Whatnot were streaming and selling from the show floor, and the sellers we met say it is making them real money.
  • Repair professionals have a built-in edge in live selling: you can test, grade, and answer technical questions on camera in a way a drop-shipper never could.
  • The full creator list lives on the TCA's Tech Repair Content Creators resource page, and we want your recommendations for who to add next.

Summer is the slow season on a lot of benches. Fewer walk-ins, longer afternoons, and a choice: scroll or sharpen.

Here is the thing about slow season. The shops that come out of it stronger are the ones that treat it like training camp. New device families are landing this fall. Component prices are shifting under everyone's feet. And the skills gap between a parts-swapper and a board-level tech has never been worth more money.

At the TCA we track dozens of tech repair content creators every single day. Tutorials, teardowns, board repair walkthroughs, shop marketing, all of it. The full list lives on our Tech Repair Content Creators resource page, and it keeps growing.

We went through the last 30 days of posts across the channels we follow. Here are eight creators who published genuinely useful material, and why each one is worth your summer hours.

The eight creators worth your summer hours

1. iPad Rehab Microsoldering (Jessa Jones)

An iPhone 16 Pro Max came in with no display after a thunderstorm. Apple said motherboard replacement. Jessa found the actual fault and fixed it at board level.

This is the independent repair story in one video: what looks like a dead board to a parts-swapper is a repairable fault to a trained tech. Watch it for the diagnostic process. Then show it to the next customer who thinks "Apple said no" is the end of the road. It isn't.

2. VCC Board Repairs (Jesse Cruz)

Jesse thinks he has found the iPhone 16 Pro's next common failure, and he shows the fix.

This is the kind of intel that separates shops that react from shops that are ready. Common failures follow a predictable arc: early adopters hit them first, then the wave builds as devices age into year two. Those phones are coming to your counter either way. Better to recognize the fault pattern on day one and quote the job with confidence.

3. REWA Technology

REWA ran a skills clinic this month without calling it one. Microscope setup tips, hot air gun practice using nothing but a sheet of paper, a BMS swap that clears the unknown battery pop-up, and a straight-talk explainer on diagnostic-compatible iPhone parts.

Short videos, real technique, no fluff. The paper trick alone is worth passing to anyone on your bench who is still building hot air confidence. Cheap practice beats expensive mistakes.

4. Electronics Repair School

Sorin posts board repair the way it actually happens: dead laptops, weird faults, honest post-mortems. This month included a charging port replacement done fast and safe, a Lenovo repair where the customer had already swapped the chip and the board was still dead, and a budget tools review straight off TEMU.

He even helped another computer business diagnose a board on camera. That is the spirit of this industry at its best. Watch a few of his post-mortems and you will start catching faults faster on your own bench.

5. Parts-People

The Dell specialists run live motherboard repair streams nearly every week. It is free, recurring, watch-over-the-shoulder training for anyone leveling up on laptop board work.

Between streams they post rapid-fire diagnostic shorts on power rail shorts, no-POST boards, and GPU detection failures. Put the streams on a shop TV during slow hours. It beats the news, and somebody on your team will pick something up every single time.

6. Salem Techsperts

Not every valuable video teaches a repair. Salem Techsperts posted "The Used Laptop Market is Broken: NVMe Prices Officially Killed My Business" and it is required viewing.

Component pricing is squeezing refurb margins across the industry, and hearing a working shop owner walk through his numbers is worth more than any market report. If used device sales are part of your revenue mix, watch this one twice and then look hard at your own margins.

7. MONEY TALKS WIRELESS

Twenty-eight customer-story shorts in thirty days. The repairs are routine. The marketing is not.

Every video turns an ordinary ticket into a story people actually watch: the iPhone Apple said was unfixable, the memories recovered from a 15-year-old iPhone, the kid whose console got saved. No fancy production. Just a phone camera, a real customer, and a payoff.

Google banned tech repair ads back in 2018, and that door never reopened. Short-form video is one of the few marketing channels where a small shop can still outwork the big guys. If you want to see how it is done, study this channel.

8. E-z Fix (Martin Organista)

Thirty-two posts this month, most in Spanish: iPhone board repairs, storage upgrades, and a running Q&A series answering the questions customers actually ask, like Apple service versus your local shop and whether an old phone is worth fixing.

If your shop serves Spanish-speaking customers, this is both a training channel and a masterclass in customer education content. And if you have bilingual techs, Martin is proof there is a large, underserved audience waiting for repair content in their own language.

Pick two creators. Give them your slow afternoons this summer. Your fall self will thank you.

The trend we saw everywhere at Mobile Disrupt: live selling

We just got back from Mobile Disrupt in Miami, and one thing was impossible to miss. Live selling was not just a topic on stage. It was happening on the show floor, in real time.

Two hosts live streaming at the eBay Live booth at Mobile Disrupt 2026, holding up smartphones on camera with stacks of boxed devices on the table
eBay Live was streaming from the show floor at Mobile Disrupt, selling devices live during the event.

eBay Live had hosts on camera moving phones and AirPods while attendees walked past. Whatnot, which bills itself as a leader in live shopping, ran streams from its booth. And TikTok Shop kept coming up in nearly every conversation about where device resale is heading.

Whatnot booth at Mobile Disrupt 2026 with a seller live streaming laptop sales in front of a bright yellow Leaders in Live Shopping backdrop
Whatnot's booth ran live shopping streams right from the conference.

We talked to some of the companies behind this trend, and they came with receipts. The sellers making this work shared real numbers, and the short version is this: live selling is moving devices and making money for the shops and resellers doing it right now.

Here is why this matters for repair professionals specifically. Your bench skills already give you an advantage. You can test devices on camera, grade them honestly, and answer technical questions live in a way a drop-shipper never could. Trust sells, and nobody has more device credibility than the person who can open one up.

There is a lot more to unpack: which platform fits which business, what the fee structures look like, and what the sellers we met would do differently starting today. We will cover all of it in future articles and in our weekly Tech Repair Tidbits newsletter. Subscribe here so you do not miss it.

Who did we miss?

Our creator list is built by this community, for this community. If there is a repair creator you learn from, a channel your techs watch on lunch break, or a voice in another language we should be tracking, we want to know.

Drop a comment below or send us your recommendations and we will check them out for the Tech Repair Content Creators resource page. The best list in the industry only stays that way if the industry keeps building it.

And one more channel for your subscriptions

The TCA has a YouTube channel too, and it is about to get busy.

We recorded some great interviews at Mobile Disrupt in Miami: operators, platform builders, and people shaping where this industry goes next. We will be posting them to our channel soon, with clips rolling out on our socials. STAY TUNED.

The TCA recording an interview at Mobile Disrupt 2026 in Miami
One of the interviews we recorded at Mobile Disrupt, coming soon to the TCA YouTube channel.

Subscribe to the TCA on YouTube so the interviews land in your feed the moment they drop.

These 8 are just the start

The eight creators above are a fraction of the 40-plus channels we track on our Tech Repair Content Creators resource page. Repair tutorials, business coaching, sustainability voices, and long-form podcasts, all in one place, all vetted for repair professionals.

Bookmark the page. Pick two creators. Give them your slow afternoons this summer. Your fall self will thank you.

Common questions about repair creators and live selling

What are the best YouTube channels for tech repair professionals?

It depends on what you want to build. For board-level skills, iPad Rehab, VCC Board Repairs, REWA Technology, Electronics Repair School, and Parts-People all published strong material in the last 30 days. For shop marketing, MONEY TALKS WIRELESS is a live case study in short-form video. For Spanish-language repair content, E-z Fix leads the pack. The TCA maintains a full vetted list of 40-plus channels on its Tech Repair Content Creators resource page.

What is live selling and does it work for repair shops?

Live selling is selling devices and accessories through live video streams on platforms like eBay Live, Whatnot, and TikTok Shop, where viewers buy in real time. At Mobile Disrupt 2026, platforms were live selling directly from the show floor, and sellers reported it is generating real revenue. Repair shops have a natural advantage: they can test, grade, and answer technical questions on camera, which builds the trust that drives live sales.

How do I suggest a creator for the TCA content creators list?

Leave a comment on this post or contact the TCA through the contact page on techcareassociation.org. Share the channel name and what makes it valuable for repair professionals, and the TCA will review it for the Tech Repair Content Creators resource page.

Build your future with the TCA

Creator collaborations, cross-promotions, training events, market data, and advocacy built specifically for independent tech repair professionals. Membership starts free.

Join the TCA Community

Rob Link is the founder of the TCA. The TCA is independent of carriers, manufacturers, and insurance companies, which is exactly why it can tell the whole channel the truth about where this industry is headed.

Sources: Creator posting activity compiled from the TCA's daily channel tracking, June 11 to July 12, 2026. Live selling observations from Mobile Disrupt, Miami, July 7 and 8, 2026. The Tech Care Association (TCA) is the leading nonprofit trade association for independent tech repair professionals in North America.

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Why 2026 Is the Year to Show Up: The Complete Tech Repair Industry Events Calendar, Real Connection, and the Role of TCA

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Tech Repair Industry Events 2026: The Complete TCA Events Calendar

Why 2026 Is the Year to Show Up: The Complete Tech Repair Industry Events Calendar, Real Connection, and the Role of TCA

By Rob Link, Founder & CEO, Tech Care Association (TCA)

If there's one thing I've learned from spending years in the tech repair and tech care industry, it's this: the real value isn't just in the tools, the parts, or the platforms. It's in the people.

As we head into 2026, I want to speak directly to repair professionals, refurbishers, reuse advocates, recyclers, educators, and industry partners. This year represents a real opportunity to learn more, connect better, and build stronger, more resilient businesses. Industry events — when approached thoughtfully — are one of the most effective ways to do exactly that.

That's why the Tech Care Association created and maintains the TCA Industry Events Calendar — and why it should become a resource you return to again and again throughout 2026.

View the 2026 Events Calendar →
2026 Tech Repair Events Q1 Q1 Q2 Q2 Q3 Q4 Complete coverage of conferences, workshops, training, summits & meetups

The Only Complete Tech Repair Industry Events Calendar

Let's be very clear: no other organization provides a complete, independent list of tech repair, tech reuse, and tech care industry events.

Most event lists you'll find online are incomplete, outdated, or quietly shaped by sponsorships and paid placements. Many only highlight events owned or promoted by the organization publishing the list.

The TCA Industry Events Calendar is different by design.

It is the only place where we actively work to list the full range of industry events across many categories, ensuring repair professionals have access to comprehensive, unbiased information about every opportunity to learn, network, and grow.

Our calendar includes:

  • Tech repair and electronics service conferences
  • Right to Repair and policy-focused events
  • Tech reuse, refurbishment, and sustainability gatherings
  • Training classes and hands-on workshops
  • Regional meetups and community-driven events
  • Industry networking and partner-focused conferences

If it matters to the tech care ecosystem, it belongs on this calendar.

Unbiased, Nonprofit, and Fully Transparent

TCA is a nonprofit trade association, and that matters.

We do not profit from any of the events listed on our calendar. We do not accept kickbacks, commissions, or profit-sharing arrangements — ever.
What Makes TCA Different ✗ No Kickbacks Ever ✗ No Commissions Zero profit ✓ Full Disclosure Always transparent ✓ Nonprofit Mission Community first

In some cases, we may exchange membership benefits for access to an event, such as tickets or limited display space. When that happens, we disclose it clearly. Transparency applies not only to events, but also to the free resources we offer.

If TCA ever receives compensation, discounts, or special access as part of a partnership, our readers will know. Most of our relationships exist simply because organizations choose to become members of TCA and support our nonprofit mission — not because money changes hands behind the scenes.

That independence allows us to provide honest context about events — including noting when some lean more toward hype or profit-seeking. That doesn't mean those events have no value. Sometimes it's worth attending simply to be around like-minded people. What matters is knowing what you're committing to and why.

A Snapshot of Events You'll Find on the 2026 Calendar

To give you a sense of the diversity on the calendar, here are just a few examples of the types of events we're tracking and sharing:

Event Categories

  • Right to Repair Summits & Advocacy Days – Events focused on policy, legislation, and grassroots advocacy that directly impact how repair businesses operate.
  • Regional Tech Repair Conferences – Smaller, more focused gatherings that emphasize peer-to-peer learning, practical business insights, and local networking.
  • Sustainability & Tech Reuse Events – Conferences and meetups centered on refurbishment, reuse, e-waste reduction, and circular economy practices.
  • Industry Partner & Vendor Conferences – Opportunities to learn about new tools, parts sourcing, diagnostics, and services — with a critical eye toward real value.

These events — and many more — are continuously updated on the TCA calendar as we learn about them.

Learning, Connecting, and Discovering New Opportunities

Industry events are not just about sessions and swag. When chosen intentionally, they help you:

Why Attend Industry Events

  • Learn new repair techniques and operational best practices
  • Stay ahead of regulatory and Right to Repair developments
  • Meet vendors, partners, and collaborators you won't find online
  • Discover new revenue streams and business opportunities
Industry Events 📚 Learn New techniques 🤝 Connect Build partnerships ⚖️ Policy Updates Right to Repair 📈 Grow Business New opportunities

The strongest outcomes often come from conversations between sessions — the kind that don't show up on an agenda. These connections frequently lead to partnerships, referrals, and long-term professional relationships.

Throughout 2026, TCA will also publish follow-up stories and reflections on events to share their real-world value, not just the marketing claims.

Free Resources That Help You Grow

One of the things that truly sets TCA apart is our commitment to free, practical resources for the industry.

We believe access to information should not be locked behind paywalls. That's why we offer guides, references, and tools designed to help repair shops and industry professionals:

  • Navigate Right to Repair issues
  • Improve business operations and customer trust
  • Understand sustainability and reuse opportunities
  • Stay informed about industry trends
📚

Explore our complete library of free tech repair industry resources. And just like our events calendar, we disclose any partnerships or compensation tied to resources — because trust matters.

Events, Human Connection, and the Digital Disconnect

There's a deeper reason events matter in 2026.

We're living through what's often called the Digital Disconnect — a time of Digital Loneliness, an Intimacy Deficit, and what many now describe as a Loneliness Epidemic. Constant screen use has replaced meaningful face-to-face interaction, even as we remain perpetually "connected" online.

Behaviors like phubbing (phone snubbing) and technoference — when technology interferes with relationships — quietly erode trust, empathy, and mental health.

Digital Disconnect Isolated Disconnected Screen time ≠ Real connection → Real Connection 👤 👤 👤 Industry Events Build partnerships Share knowledge Strengthen community Showing up matters — for your mental health and your business
Industry events, meetups, and in-person gatherings help reverse that trend. They remind us that this industry is made of real people solving real problems together. Showing up matters — for your mental health and your business.

Creating Real-World Connection in Your Own Community

You don't need to wait for a national conference to build meaningful connection.

Local events often create the strongest bonds. Hosting or participating in community gatherings can:

  • Strengthen your local reputation
  • Build trust with peers and customers
  • Create referral and support networks

Platforms like Meetup and Luma make it easier than ever to host low-pressure, community-first events.

In 2026, TCA will be producing content specifically designed to help you create and host local events — from informal meetups to educational gatherings.

Stay tuned, and keep coming back for more.

Training Classes and Education Opportunities in 2026

Training and education will be a growing focus of the TCA Events Calendar in 2026.

As we learn about:

  • Hands-on repair training classes
  • Certification programs
  • Vendor-led workshops
  • Technical and business education sessions

We'll add them to the calendar — another reason to bookmark it and check back often.

We're also exploring ways to help TCA members access training discounts and make it easier for organizations to post training events directly.

Support the Mission: Join the TCA

You can support this work by joining TCA:

🤝

Industry Partners can add events to the calendar and help expand industry knowledge.

Repair Shops & Store Partners help fund the creation of free resources for everyone.

Membership directly supports our nonprofit mission and allows us to offer more tools, transparency, and opportunities for the entire industry to thrive.

Join TCA Today

A True Industry Leader — Built for the Community

Everything TCA does is grounded in independence, transparency, and service.

We don't profit from events. We don't sell access. We don't hide relationships.

We listen, we share, and we build.

We also have exciting plans for 2026 that we'll be sharing in the coming weeks.

To stay informed, visit the TCA Blog for tech repair industry insights and analysis.

And make the TCA Industry Events Calendar part of your 2026 planning:

Because real growth in 2026 won't come from another screen — it will come from showing up, learning together, and building real human connection.

— Rob Link
Founder & CEO, Tech Care Association

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