Behind the scenes at the Collision Repair Expo

Here’s a round-up of just some of the show events. Others included the AARN seminars and a lean production techniques seminar from Akzonobel.

20th TAFE Vehicle Body Teachers Conference.
Vehicle Body TAFE Teachers from all round Australia converged on Melbourne to attend the 20th Biennial TAFE Vehicle Body Teachers Conference. Keeping Ahead of Change was the theme and, according to Barrier Reef TAFE’s Morgon Ison, the hot topic for the week.
The conference kicked off with a representative from each Institute of TAFE sharing information on why, who, when and what their institute is doing to help train the collision repair technician of the future. Innovative practices and ideas came from this session and stimulated discussion. The Gala Dinner for the conference was proudly supported by PPG Refinishing.
Delegates also visited Capital Smart Repairs’ Hallam site for an educational tour and cocktail party.
Speakers at the conference included Digby Mayor from PPG Access on Thatchamnet, Tony Vowles, from AirBrush Venturi and Brendan Melick who gave delegates a taste of PolyTechnic Western Australia’s New Generation Steels course run for post trade students.
CDX Global joined delegates to talk about an online training resource for the paint and panel industry in the same successful format it runs with the automotive heavy and light trade vehicles.
Colin Ogden from Skills Institute in Tasmania also demonstrated an assessing iPhone application the institute had developed.
Ison said: “A huge thank you to all our sponsors of the conference like DuPont Performance Coatings, PPG Refinish and Captial SMART Repairs and the many others who supported us. Without them, the conference could not have been as successful.”

Informative seminars
James McCall of MTA NSW explained how the organisation successfully lobbied for the legislation.
Richard Pratt of I-Car gave an instructive talk about the impact of new technologies on correct structural repair.
Mark Williams and the Lowbake team had two demonstration spray booths at the back of the exhibition halls, with viewing galleries. The broadband gas infrared paint curing system and a variety of paint companies also used the booths to demonstrate their products.
Local and international experts provided an update on the progress of the ‘Choice of Repairer’ campaign in Europe, USA and Australia. A special speaker from the US was Lee Kadrich, Vice President, Government Affairs & Trade (Retired), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).