The 26th annual International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), co-located at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, attracted a total audience of 23,327 collision and mechanical industry professionals as part of the new Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) sponsored by the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

Although show organizers estimated that one attendee demographic, shop employees, was about 30 percent less than last year at NACE, exhibitors said the show was successful because “key decision makers” were in attendance.

Most attendees surveyed – 63 percent – said they found value in the co-location of CARS and NACE, ASA said. ASRW 2009, again featuring NACE and CARS as co-located events, will
take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from Nov. 4-7,
2009, during the Automotive
Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW).

"The first ASRW certainly met my expectations and more, but what excites me most is the potential we have created with this event," said Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive. "There is no question that it can grow in numbers and in stature to be the pre-eminent service and repair event in the world.”

For more information, visit www.asashop.org.