The International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), to be held July 30 through Aug. 2 in Detroit, has fine-tuned this year’s event to ensure collision repairers get the latest information available.
New features of the show will include:
- 20,000 square feet dedicated to live demonstrations of welding, cutting, grinding, sanding and painting
- Expanded and enhanced training classes weighted toward technical training
- Manufacturer-specific classes
- Expanded I-CAR class offering
- Lineup of exclusive tours (see list below)
- A bigger, revamped MSO Symposium – which has been renamed the Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES)
“NACE is the only show in the United States solely dedicated to the collision repair industry,” said Dan Risley, president and executive director of ASA. “It’s a show for repairers, about repairers. This year’s event is focused on ensuring that repairers have access to the information, tooling, training and equipment they need to repair today’s vehicles as well as those in the future. As an example, Ford’s recent announcement of its aluminum-bodied F-150 is causing the entire industry to take notice and seek information and training. As a result, there will be several different classes at NACE offering aluminum repair information and training.”
Aluminum Education
In addition, the Collision Repair Education Foundation reports that the Alcoa Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to provide aluminum-focused training and presentations to collision instructors and industry professionals attending the 2014 event.
Other manufacturers will also offer presentations at NACE on aluminum repair – including but not limited to Ford Motor Co., Audi, Pro Spot, Car-O-Liner, Chief and 3M. Ford will have a class that will provide 2015 F-150 aluminum repair information and details on its National Body Shop Program.
There will be at least nine classes covering aluminum, including sessions on aluminum welding and repair and a class explaining the differences between aluminum and steel.
Collision Repair Executive Symposium
The rebranded Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES), formerly the MSO Symposium, has been a popular, sold-out event during NACE since it premiered in 2011. Traditionally drawing attendance from the largest multi-shop operators in the collision repair industry, the all-new CRES business event will cater to a broader group of collision repair executives, allowing it to be more inclusive of some of the best as well as the largest operators in the marketplace.
This year’s event includes key changes in content, including a focus on management, operations and participation from insurance company executives presenting leading information on industry trends.
CRES is designed for collision repair multi-shop operators, as well as operators looking for high-growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions. The symposium is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1.
Tour Options
Attendees will experience the history of the Motor City through a host of tour options, including:
- The General Motors Co. Heritage Center
- Chrysler Museum (closed to the public)
- The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
- Windsor, Canada
- The Ford Motor Co. F-150 Plant
- Chevy Volt Plant
- BASF Color Trends
- NSF Technical Tour
- OnStar Facility
In addition to the tours, there will be other events and recreational outings for spouses, guests and families. Among such activities are Detroit Tigers baseball games, river and city tours, and casinos.
“Since NACE will be held in the Motor City, original equipment manufacturers will have a bigger presence than ever,” said Risley.
In addition, other industry organizations that will host meetings, events, and/or exhibit during the week are I-CAR, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), ASE, CIECA, NABC, SCRS, AMI, the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), OEM Collision Roundtable, CREF, Alcoa Aluminum Transportation board, MERA, AASA and ETI.
“This gathering of the industry – plus the fact several of the world’s major car manufacturers are headquartered in Detroit and will participate in Industry Week – creates tremendous opportunity for education, collaboration and networking,” said Risley. “Our focus is giving the repair industry an event – and a week – that is dedicated to them. It will be good to see the entire industry come together.”
Also part of Industry Week is CARS, which is for mechanical repair professionals.
This repairer-focused week will start Monday, July 28 and run through Saturday, Aug. 2. CIC will be held Tuesday, I-CAR on Wednesday and CCIF Wednesday afternoon.
ASA’s NACE/CARS Expo will be held Thursday and Friday, July 31-Aug. 1, with education beginning Wednesday, July 30 and ending Saturday, Aug. 2.
More information:
