The reimagined International Autobody Congress and Exposition and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service event is scheduled for Sept. 29, in San Antonio
North Richland Hills, Texas—Automotive Service Association is bringing back one of the collision repair industry’s NACE and CARS with a renewed focus on collaboration, education and operational solutions for today’s rapidly evolving repair environment.
The reimagined International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS) event is scheduled for Sept. 29, in San Antonio and will be co-located with the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association meeting at the Hilton Palacio del Rio along the San Antonio Riverwalk.
Unlike the large-scale trade shows of the past, ASA leaders have revived NACE and will feature a smaller, highly interactive format centered on roundtable discussions, collaboration between shops, OEMs and vendors, and practical conversations around safe and profitable repairs.
“The vehicles have changed. The repair process has changed,” said ASA Chairman Dan Stander, AMAM of Fix Auto Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Colo. “We’re fixing fewer cars in some ways, but there’s a lot more going on with those cars.”
Stander said today’s collision repair businesses are navigating unprecedented technological and operational changes, from advanced driver assistance systems and OEM repair procedures to increasing documentation requirements and profitability pressures.
“We’re probably seeing more shops struggle or go out of business because the industry has changed so rapidly,” he said.
At the center of the new event is a concept ASA leaders are calling SPARK (Safe Profitable Automotive Repair Knowledge.). The association has already released several informational videos titled “SPARK,” which educate repairers on how to conduct proper repairs.
“That’s really what this is about,” Stander said. “If we have the knowledge to repair vehicles properly, we can do it safely, profitably and ultimately give consumers a better product.”
ASA Immediate Past Chairman Scott Benavidez, AMAM, Mr. B’s Paint & Body Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., said ASA has wanted to revive NACE for years, but leaders recognized the event needed to evolve to better serve modern repair businesses.
“NACE has always been the leader in education and products for the collision industry,” Benavidez said. “The landscape of the collision industry has changed dramatically. We’re seeing changes in vehicle technology, changes in how claims are handled, and changes in how customers interact with our shops. Shops need to know they’re doing safe, profitable repairs.”
Benavidez said the new NACE is designed to encourage collaboration and participation rather than passive classroom-style presentations and huge tradeshows where meaningful interaction gets lost.
“We wanted this version of NACE to be interactive between shops, vendors and OEMs,” he said. “We’re tired of sitting in classrooms listening to one person lecture with no interaction. We want shop owners to leave with real connections and real solutions.”
Organizers say the new NACE will place special emphasis on helping independent repairers and smaller MSOs collaborate on shared challenges ranging from claims processes and repair planning to emerging vehicle technologies and OEM repair procedures.
The event will also revive some of the collaborative spirit of ASA’s former Collision Operations Committee meetings, which brought shop owners together in small-group settings to openly discuss challenges and solutions.
“We want attendees to leave knowing they’re not alone,” Benavidez said. “We want them to understand there are solutions to the challenges they’re facing and leave with connections – people they can call when they need help.”
ASA leaders emphasized that the event is being developed with input from shop owners, OEMs, vendors and other industry stakeholders. Space will be intentionally limited to encourage meaningful interaction and discussion.
For Sponsorship opportunities: Brian Nessen at nessenb@gmail.com
For more information on NACE & CARS, contact Julie Massaro at juliem@asashop.org or Trisha Baker at trishab@asashop.org or visit the website at asashop.org/nace-cars/
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