9 minute read

Big Opportunities, Resources and Fun Await at the Texas Auto Body Trade Show!

We all know everything is bigger in Texas, and that statement most certainly applies to ABAT’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show. The 2023 iteration promises no less than BIG learning opportunities, a BIG showcase of the finest equipment and tools on the market today and of course, BIG fun!

By now, you should have your reservations set and are planning to head on over to the Irving Convention Center August 25 and 26 for the annual event - as this year’s show promises to be the best one yet!

ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle is boastful about the many things this year’s show promises to deliver.

“In addition to the heavy duty slate of educational seminars and repair information, we got some really fun stuff planned,” shares Tuggle. “No one will want to miss the ‘Industry Over a Pint’ collision happy hour, featuring a casual conversation on stage with some of the industry’s leaders. It’s an opportunity to make your way around the room and get the ear of industry experts and chat them up on a variety of topics.”

That’s just one component of the exciting educational offerings on deck! This year’s slate features some of the biggest industry names around, including Mike Anderson (Collision Advice), Aaron Schulenburg (Society of Collision Repair Specialists) and Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway). Gredinberg will team up with Logan Payne (Payne & Sons Paint and Body Shop; Dallas) to present “Repair Planning,” where they will break down the importance of adhering to OEM repair information to develop a repair plan packet for a proper repair.

“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” states Gredinberg on the subject of a repairer deviating from OEM procedures to make something “pretty and shiny” in their own way. “The goal of this conversation is to allow repairers to make better informed decisions adhering to OEM repair information, and to understand that it’s going to take time to research and digest this information from the OEM. There are multiple steps that go into understanding what each repair requires. Just because you did something yesterday may not be applicable on the vehicle you are going to work on next.”

Attendees will also catch the latest developments on the SCRS blend study as Schulenburg plans to bring the newest findings reported at last month’s Collision Industry Conference to the Texas table. Meanwhile, Anderson will inspire and influence collision repair professionals to “Be Extraordinary.” This year’s show also includes some of the Lone Star State’s finest presenters like Robert McDorman (Auto Claim Specialists) and ABAT’s very own president, Burl Richards.

ABAT always sets out to have their finger on the pulse of the latest happenings throughout the industry, not to mention helping to put things in motion. In response to the recent verdict in Collins vs. State Farm, in which the insurer had to pay over $248,000 to a customer who was wrongly indemnified for his vehicle, McDorman and Richards will team up to inform attendees about the case and why this victory is so important for the industry.

According to McDorman, collision repair professionals can expect to learn about the verdict and how they too can help their customers. “We will set out to inform body shops how they can better help their clients be properly indemnified.”

“I’ve always been keen on the educational aspect of our show,” adds McDorman. “I think it’s important for all of us to share information, enjoy the camaraderie and learn about what is going on in the state and elsewhere. Sharing with others is a great opportunity to learn more about our industry.”

The fun and action continues on the trade show floor with plenty of opportunity to take a close look and interact with the industry’s latest technology and advances in equipment brought to you by some of the biggest brands around. This year’s show marks the return of many familiar faces, while a number of newcomers are excited about making their debut on the show floor.

While of course most attendees will be spending their time on the sold-out trade show floor or participating in valuable industry training, let’s not forget all there is to do OFF the floor. Piggybacking on the success of last year’s ladies event designed to celebrate the women in the industry, ABAT will be presenting what’s sure to be another huge hit with this year’s ladies event! Pool time, signature drinks and trinkets are just part of the fun - bonding and togetherness is what it really is all about.

“I really want to see all the women at this event,” shares Tuggle. “The women in this business are a special breed. I love the women in this industry. We are a different caliber; we are unique and we chose to be in this business of collision repair. I think there is a lot of power and synergy and as a female-run association, we want to bring the females in our business together to get to know each other.”

This year there is even fun for the little ones making this a true destination event for the whole family! A scavenger hunt in the exhibit hall will keep them entertained and they will walk away with prizes. The return of the Car Show will also provide fun for the whole family!

A packed-show floor, top of the line national education (let’s not forget that happy hour portion) and - of course - the return of the Big Shots competition are more than enough reasons to get yourself over to the Irving Convention Center on August 25 and 26. Be sure to check out the educational slate on page 18 and register to attend the show at abat.us/events/tradeshow.

ABAT thanks the following 2023 sponsors for their generous support!

Diamond Sponsors: All Clear Diagnostics & Calibration, BASF, English Color & Supply. Platinum Sponsor: VSSTA. Celebrity Sponsor: Lift King. Gold Sponsor: 1Source ADAS. Silver Sponsors: ALLDATA, Dents Co., The Best Claims Solution. Happy Hour Sponsors: Car-O-Liner SW, Innovative Collision Equipment (ICE), Podium. Big Shots Sponsors: 3M, AkzoNobel, Anson PDR. LLC, Car-O-Liner SW, CCC Information Systems, KECO Body Repair Products, Norton/Saint Gobain, Polyvance and Sherwin-Williams. TXA

2023 Texas Auto Body Trade Show Exhibitors

1Source ADAS

3M

AAMS, LLC

ADAS Aiming

Akzo Nobel

All Clear Diagnostics and Calibration

ALLDATA

Anson PDR, LLC.

Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT)

Autel

Axalta Coating Systems

BASF

BETAG Innovation

BodyShop Marketing

Car-O-Liner SW

Carworx

CCC Information Systems

Celette Inc.

Consolidation Coach

Dents.Co

Eco-Tech Systems, LLC

Elitek Vehicle Services

English Collision Equipment

English Color & Supply, Inc.

Evercoat

DON’t forget To sign up for the annual BIG SHOTS COMPETITION!

Scan the qr code below to sign up now!

High Lift Financial

Horner Lighting Group

I-CAR

Innovative Collision Equipment (ICE)

John Bean

KECO Body Repair Products

Kent Automotive

Killer Tools

NCS / Single Source Inc.

Lift King

Norton/Saint Gobain

OE Connection

Parts Trader

Podium

Polyvance

PPG

Sherwin-Williams

SOCUR, inc.

Solidus Equipment Systems

Start2finish

Summit CRS

Teroson

TheBest Claims Solutions

USI of North America

Vale Training

VSSTA

Executive Director’s Message

continued from pg. 6 and mingle with friends, speakers and even our celebrity guest! The event is by invitation-only, so be sure to stop by the ABAT booth for your free ticket.

LADIES EVENT. This intimate gathering of “shop gals” is one of my favorite parts of the weekend. Sneak over to the pool area of the Texican Court Saturday afternoon for craft margaritas and conversation that sometimes is only understood by women who are a part of the collision business – either by employment OR marriage! We are a special breed, and the camaraderie among us can be quite amazing for a bunch of girls who are used to being “one of the guys.”

KIDS SCAVENGER HUNT. NEW for 2023! We want you to bring the whole family to the show, and to help you do that successfully, we’ve tried to make it a little fun for the kiddos, too. They can enjoy a special scavenger hunt in the exhibit hall and claim a prize at the registration desk when they are done!

I could go on and on about all the amazing things we have planned. You do not want to miss the show that brings all the excitement of a national show right here to the Lone Star State – and it only happens once a year! Register today at abat.us/tradeshow jill@abat.com TXA

2023 Seminar & Events Schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25 (SHOW HOURS 1pm-8pm)

7AM: Badge Registration Opens (Entrance Lobby)

8:30am-9:30am | Classroom 3 (O, M, E)

Attracting Talent with Process Improvement

Tom Heorner (Sherwin Williams)

Good processes can improve tech pay, reduce chaos, improve quality of life, and at the same time, optimize labor and increase profit. We will connect cycle time, touch time and tech productivity to production output and examine the importance these KPIs have on the collision repair business. We will also discuss three simple steps to improve cycle time performance by eliminating the most common production delays.

8:30am-9:30am | Classroom 4 (O, M, E)

Customer Copay Coaching

Logan Payne (Payne and Sons)

Implementing a copay system can be tough to navigate. Come join the discussion as Logan Payne walks you through both the pains and pleasures of the copay approach.

10am-11:15am | Classroom 3 (O, M, E, T)

Coloring Perspective on Blend Time: The Facts Behind the SCRS Blend Study

Aaron Schulenburg (SCRS)

The conclusions of the SCRS Blend study indicated that blending, on average, took 31.59 percent more time than a full refinish, rather than the 50 percent less time allocated in the three IP estimating systems. To mark the one year anniversay of the SCRS blend study we will revisit the study in detail from “the man” himself, Aaron Schulenburg.

10am-11:15am | Classroom 4 (M, E, T)

ADAS 101: Back to the Basics

Tommy Ames (Auto E Solutions)

In this 101 class, Tommy will discuss the basics of scanning and calibrations. Your staff will be ready to implement an efficient ADAS plan and take your shop to the next level.

1PM: TRADE SHOW FLOOR OPENS

11:30am-1:30pm | Junior Ballroom (O, M, E, T)

Lunch & Learn with Mike & Danny Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) & Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway)

This is a special luncheon featuring the dymanic duo as they “tag” in to talk about important repair information.

4pm-6pm | Junior Ballroom (O, M, E, T)

The Industry Over a Pint: An Auto Body Happy Hour Seminar

Aaron Schulenburg, Mike Anderson & Friends

This special session begins with a casual discussion “over a pint” and will transform into a group happy hour where you will have the exclusive opportunity to join casual chats with the industry powerhouses.

8PM: TRADE SHOW CLOSES

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 (SHOW HOURS 11am-6pm)

9am-10am | Classroom 3 (O, M)

The Practicality of EV Repair Implementation

Gabe Morley (DEKRA)

Is EV repair right for your shop? In this class you will explore the realities and implications of “turning on the electric” at your shop with and without OEM certification.

9am-10am | Classroom 4 (M, E, T)

Repair Planning

Logan Payne & Danny Gredinberg

Join ABAT Board member Logan Payne and the DEG’s Danny Gredinberg as they explore how to improve cycle time and quality of work through proper repair-planning methods.

10am-11:30am | Classroom 1 (O, M)

Technician of The Future: ADAS edition

Bobby Beason (VSSTA)

This class will explore the evolving job description of today’s technician as we bridge the gap to tomorrow. This includes a discussion on the value of adding another technician through the proper use of repair procedures, scanning and ADAS calibrations.

11AM: TRADE SHOW FLOOR OPENS

10:30am-11:30am | Classroom 3 (O, M, E, T)

“Procedures? I’ve done it a million times.”

Erin Solis

A closer look through the auditor’s lens on repair procedures may reveal things you’re missing on everyday repairs. Hear from Erin Solis of Certified Collision Group as she uncovers some of the most often missed but very important OEM repair procedures.

3pm-4pm | Junior Ballroom (O, M, E, T)

Legislation in the Collision Space

Robert McDorman (Auto Claim Specialists), Burl Richards (ABAT President/Burl’s Collision) Bob Redding (The Redding Firm), Jacob Smith (Longleaf Consulting/ABAT Lobbyist)

Moderated by Aaron Schulenburg

This will be a comprehensive look at the legislative efforts happening here in Texas as well as nationally. As the legislative session here in Texas unfolds we will report on what was submitted, what passed, what the future holds and so much more! Be prepared to feel empowered by the knowledge you’ll gain about our industry from red dirt to white house!

4pm-5:30pm | Junior Ballroom (O, M, E, T)

Be Extraordinary!

Mike Anderson, Collision Advice

In today’s collision repair industry, it is no longer enough to just be average. You have to be extraordinary! You have to be extraordinary and deliver not just great customer service, but an extraordinary customer experience. You must be extraordinary and build a culture where people want to be a part of your organization, to put in the effort and to deliver extraordinary quality. You have to be extraordinary in your researching of OE repair procedures. You have to be extraordinary by staying abreast of the new developments in the collision repair industry. Remember, being average is just as close to the bottom as it is to the top. So be extraordinary!

6PM: TRADE SHOW CLOSES

This article is from: