The Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) has announced that the 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show Sept. 20-21 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth will feature a body shop panel discussion as part of its educational lineup.
This discussion, set for Sept. 20 from 6-7 p.m., will bring together managers from independent shops, dealerships and MSOs who will talk about their similarities and differences, secrets to success and thoughts on how they’re navigate the ever-changing collision repair industry.
Moderated by Eric McKenzie of Park Place Bodywerks, the panel will feature ABAT President Burl Richards of Burl’s Collision (independent MSO), David “Ozzy” Osburn of Southwest Ford Collision (dealership body shop), Brian Brunson of Auto Tech Services (independent shop), Ben Stuckert of Toyota of Richardson (large dealership MSO) and Manuel Rubio of Miracle Body and Paint (large independent shop).
“The idea for this panel is for it to be a ‘real-life’ discussion,” said Jill Tuggle, executive director of ABAT. “So often, these types of panels represent only the best of the best per se, but we were interested in hearing from shops of all walks of life. We want to represent the viewpoint of each person in the audience to make the discussion relatable and applicable no matter what structure of body shop you come from. We hope to have Texas legislators in the audience to hear all of these perspectives as well, so bring your questions and concerns. They will not fall on deaf ears!”
To register for the Texas Auto Body Trade Show, the largest show of its kind in the southwest, click here. Individual seminars cost $40 each, or attendees can purchase a complete educational package pass for $199. For more information on the show, click here.
