With more than 6,600 automotive industry professionals visiting the Expo and 8,000-plus throughout Detroit attending NACE | CARS and related Industry Week events, the turnout was up slightly from last year and headed in the right direction for the future.
Partnering with numerous associations, events, and groups such as CIC, I-CAR, CREF, MERA, CCIF, OEM Collision Roundtable, NABC, CIECA, 1Collision Network, U.S. Department of Commerce Automotive Team Meeting, and State Farm Corporate Meeting to build the 2015 Industry Week continues to be a recipe for success. It clearly showed there is still significant support and benefits for an industry-specific event.
“The ASA board and management made even more bold changes and launched new ideas for NACE | CARS 2015. We knew we were still taking some risks but we also knew changes had to be made to the event for the benefit of the automotive repair industry, our members, and the association. Although we will continue to make improvements, we are pleased with the results so far and we appreciate the support of everyone involved,” said Donny Seyfer, ASA chairman.
The 2015 NACE | CARS Conference & Expo kicked off in full force on July 23, offering a diverse collection of features, including a larger show floor with over 54,500 net square feet, a return of the MSO Symposium (MSO) and The Technology & Telematics Forum (TTF), the launch of the Service Repair Leadership Forum (SRLF), as well as OE and manufacturer-specific classes and a strong focus on new materials and technology repair.
“All in all I am very happy with the investment of time and money to come to Detroit for the show. I feel like I took a lot away from the management trainings, and my guys were very pleased and excited with the Young Technicians Symposium.”
Reggie Stewart, Reggie's Motorworks Inc.
The numerous live demonstrations on the show floor included aluminum welding, spraying in two prep booths, rivet bonding and more. Chip Foose, KC Mathieu, and Jon Kosmoski performed live paint/spray demos for attendees. John and Brittany Force were also on hand signing autographs. I-CAR hosted a large center stage with presentations throughout the three-day expo.
Real decision-makers and shop owners came from throughout the U.S. and more than 30 additional countries to find the latest tools and technology for their shops. Many exhibitors reported making numerous sales throughout the show:
“Celette was very pleased to be able to take part in this year’s NACE | CARS event in Detroit. Being able to support the industry by sponsoring the MSO Symposium and having presence in the expo continues to support and strengthen Celette's newest & continuing OEM partnerships. We’re very grateful for the hard work that ASA and the Stonefort Group have put into keeping this show active for the Collision Repair Industry. We are looking forward to more great opportunities in Anaheim next year!”
Jennie Lenk, Marketing Coordinator and Rental Bank Manager, Celette, Inc.
“As a British company trying to break into the U.S. market the networking opportunities worked out well beyond our expectations. We can't wait for next years NACE | CARS event in Anaheim,CA!”
Claire Cleland, Sales Manager , Pro Stat, Ltd.
“ProLine Tool & Supply, LLC is very pleased with all of the NACE | CARS team. At the 2015 NACE | CARS Expo ProLine Tool & Supply, LLC was successful with onsite sales, received sales leads, and had outstanding success with new contacts that are becoming allies of ProLine to drive future sales.”
Lyn J Tetreau, Chief Executive Officer, ProLine
"The networking opportunities at NACE were great. Making connections with such a diverse group of people will undoubtedly drive our sales forward in the future."
Shannon Coombs, Vice President, Business Development, Autolights, Inc.
In a major press conference, General Motors said that it's MyPriceLink automated real-time parts pricing program began a pilot launch in the Denver area on Wednesday, and a national rollout could come as soon as October. Kris Mayer, GM general director of the Wholesale Dealer Channel, made the announcement during a panel discussion on the second day of the 2015 NACE | CARS Expo & Conference.
On the mechanical service and repair side of the business, CARS brought new and improved content to attendees including the return of Technology & Telematics Forum, the Young Technicians Symposium, live demonstrations, a Shop of Tomorrow display, and much more.
“The success of the show is truly defined by the feedback from exhibitors and attendees regarding their experience. The response from them has been positive. We’re very thankful for their support and look forward to building upon the foundation we’ve established the past 2 years in Detroit, as we look to a key move West to Anaheim in 2016” said Dan Risley, ASA president and executive director.
For all the post-show details, pictures and videos about the NACE | CARS 2015 Expo & Conference, visit NACEexpo.com or CARSevent.com.
About the Events
Along with NACE | CARS 2015, a series of automotive repair industry events and co-located meetings took place July 21-July 25, 2015. There were a series of Board and other private meetings, the CIC quarterly meeting, a CREF golf fundraiser, I-CAR add-on learning classes, I-CAR stage and demos, meetings with CCIF, NABC and MERA, as well as the NACE | CARS Expo and more.
International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) – the world’s collision repair event – represents the only B2B event of its kind specifically designed for collision repair industry professionals from around the globe. NACE features a comprehensive educational Conference and Expo with hundreds of diverse exhibiting companies displaying the latest equipment, products, services and technology available to today’s collision repair industry.
Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) – the premier event for automotive service professionals – features a high-quality education lineup led by industry leaders, along with an exhibitor showcase of automotive service and repair related equipment, products and services.
NACE | CARS 2015 was produced for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) by Stone Fort Group, an integrated media company specializing in live events, print and digital media. For 2015 exhibit or show information, contact ASA’s show management team at:
Stone Fort Group
(832) 932-7868
12335 Kingsride Lane, #420
Houston, TX 77024
For additional event information, visit www.NACEexpo.com or www.CARSevent.com.
About the Sponsor
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is the sponsor of NACE and CARS. ASA is the largest international not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive industry through education, legislative representation and member services. For additional information about ASA or to join, go to www.ASAshop.org.
