3 minute read
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE by Jill Tuggle
my adventures in dating venues
TThe Texas Auto Body Trade Show is a two-day event that began as an educational seminar and has morphed into a full-blown Trade Show with educational events. This Trade Show has people flocking from all over Texas and the US to attend. This is no ordinary event; each year, we have added something extra to take the Show to the next level, and 2021 is no different. The Trade Show has grown every year, but it has always been missing something. That “something” isn’t always the same each time; planning a show like this is so involved and has so many factors that you must weigh your options and give and take a little. Our rapid growth forced us to move facilities a couple of times, so we have had the opportunity to try on a few places for size. It has felt a lot like the dating world; in 2019, we had to have the dreaded “it’s not you; it’s me” talk with our facility. We have “dated” quite a bit in these past six years, looking for “the one.” There was Richardson with its fast-paced Dallas feel. Easy to get to but hard to grow with. The kind of facility that drives a motorcycle and has tattoos. Hurst was more than just a pretty face, but she was almost too pretty. Not the kind of place where you lay a Car-O-Liner on the floor, if you know what I mean. We had been to Fort Worth before and decided to return for its cowboy-cool vibes and easygoing attitude. Will Rogers was solid and established (even our moms liked it), but the facility was difficult to navigate. It also lacked a key component: Convenience. Fort Worth was fun – you know that if you ended up at Pete’s Piano Bar any evening after the Show. Everything was a short cab or Uber ride away, but we have the standards of a private-schooled blonde with the keys to Daddy’s Mercedes. We can’t have y’all running all over town, so we broke up with sweet, solid Will.
So, once again, I set out to find the perfect Trade Show location. I was starting to wonder if Cinderella would ever find her glass slipper. I was told by my last realtor that I have “champagne taste and beer money,” but I’ll tell you what – with a little patience and a little bit of looking, you will find what suits you.
The courting began as I toured facility after facility. Most were too small, one had the space but not our available dates and another had the dates but no nightlife – only a Cracker Barrel in the parking lot. One sales guy sent me a homemade video sales pitch afterward…so awkward. I was realizing quickly that finding a mate for you folks was actually going to take a LOT of patience and a LOT of searching. But I didn’t want the topic to come up at Thanksgiving, so I kept on.
Then, there she was: The Irving Convention Center. Don’t be fooled by the vanilla name. (My craziest college friend was named Edna.) She’s young, fun and has it all. She’s a centrally located, state-of-the-art facility with two GORGEOUS hotels just steps away. She has drive-in loading ramps and is surrounded by 23 bars, restaurants and things to do. It’s got the “wow” factor we have been looking for. Let’s just say we signed the contract and we’re looking at rings. Yes, she’s the one.
The 2021 Texas Auto Body Trade Show is a true destination event. Mark your calendar, bring your spouse and make September 17-18 your work/play weekend of the year. Jill Tuggle
ABAT Executive Director
