AASP/NJ and Vendors Begin Countdown to NORTHEAST 2021 The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) is enthusiastically preparing for the 2021 NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show, which will be held live and in person Sept. 10-12 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ. After more than a year of lockdowns, social distancing and the “Zoom Gloom” of virtual meetings and events, the collision repair and mechanical service communities are clamoring to get back to the way this industry is meant to be experienced: in person. NORTHEAST’s return to a live format has inspired excitement from new and returning exhibitors that have already signed on to support the show and showcase their products and services to thousands of attendees. Not surprisingly, NORTHEAST Gold Sponsor Ford was one of the first to pledge its support. “Ford first attended the show during the launch of the new 2015 F-150,” shares Gerry Bonanni, Ford’s senior engineer for paint and body repair. “We really like the interaction with all of the body shop
personnel attending, especially visiting with those who actually perform the work in our great industry. After months of quarantine, we look forward to the opportunity to meet and engage in person with our friends in the industry who will be attending the show.” Nick Mattera, co-owner of NORTHEAST Lanyard Sponsor Innovative Solutions and Technology, is another longtime participant who can’t wait to hit the show floor once again. “We keep going back because it provides a perfect platform for us to show our equipment to our customers,” Mattera said. “It’s a show that allows us to really have live demonstrations; I think that’s key for our potential customers to see. This year, we’re particularly excited; it’s been such a long time that we’ve had a show that can be live like this. We’re all looking forward to seeing our friends we’ve met over the years and having a great show.” Brock Birky, director of business development at KECO Body Repair Products, will be traveling all the way from Oklahoma City to
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have his company represented live at NORTHEAST for a third year. “We really enjoy the representation we get on the East Coast there,” Birky said. “We also like how the show is really targeted toward the collision repair industry specifically. Some of the other shows have a huge collision repair focus in halls or areas, but the whole show trumps the industry. So, we enjoy the specificity and focused nature of NORTHEAST. “We’re really looking forward to interacting with our customers again and seeing their reactions face to face,” he added. “We love the show, and we love to give our customers or potential ones a hands-on experience. There’s nothing that really replaces that.” “I don’t think there’s anyone who isn’t ready to get out of their shops or homes and meet up in person again, and we’re really excited that NORTHEAST will be the first major event in our industry to provide that opportunity,” AASP/ NJ President Jerry McNee said. “Our exhibitors are thrilled to be involved, and our education and
training schedule will be stronger than ever. We’re looking forward to giving everyone who attends the best experience they’ve had since the pandemic began―right here in New Jersey.” AASP/NJ thanks these generous sponsors for their support of NORTHEAST 2021: Platinum Sponsor: BASF; Gold Sponsor: Ford; Silver Sponsors: PPG, NJ Parts of Flemington; Lanyard Sponsor: Innovative Solutions and Technology, Spanesi; Attendee Prize Sponsor: Axalta Coating Systems; and General Sponsors: Harbortouch and Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. Pre-registered NORTHEAST 2020 attendees will not need to re-register for the 2021 show, as badge data will be carried over to these new dates of Sept. 10-12. For updates and information on NORTHEAST, including available lodging, continue to visit the official event website at aaspnjnortheast. com. Source: AASP/NJ
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