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The 2017 Collision Repair Expo, 6-8 April, is sold out to Australian and international exhibitors keen to display their latest body finishing materials, consumables, and crash repair equipment and tools at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

A special highlight at the 2017 Expo will be the Brian Tanti Working Workshop featuring internationally respected restorer, coachbuilder and Fox Car Collection Curator Brian Tanti in live demonstrations of some of his current projects.

Brian Tanti will demonstrate traditional skills associated with restoration and coach building disciplines, many of which pre-date the motor car. He will also showcase new technologies such as 3D printing, scanning aids and specialist disciplines as they apply to restoration and panel fabrication. (See video at end of article)

Meet racer Dylan O’Keefe on the Lowbake stand

Another popular live demonstration at the Collision Repair Expo will be the Lowbake demonstration spray booth. Top Australian and international surface coating suppliers will present interactive demonstrations of their new products while visitors sit comfortably in an adjacent viewing room.

Due to the high demand for this interactive product knowledge experience at previous Expos, visitors should check the demonstration schedule to ensure they attend the product sessions of interest.

The Lowbake exhibition stand at Expo will feature appearances by Porsche Carerra Cup driver and Bathurst 12-Hour Race winner Dylan O’Keefe. Visitors will have the opportunity to win hot laps with Dylan O’Keefe.

Networking opportunities to share ideas

Stuart Charity said there will be other industry groups offering great co-located business networking and learning events at Expo.

“With each Expo held, we enjoy increasing involvement from local and international automotive organisations. The Expo has become the regional hub for the automotive collision repair sector to get together,” he said.

“Visitors wanting a relaxing break and refreshments while touring the exhibits should enjoy the Gates Australia sponsored free networking Happy Hour from 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm on Friday 7 April.

“We are delighted to again welcome the New Zealand Collision Repair Association (CRA NZ) to the Expo. They will hold their 104th annual conference in Melbourne during the 2017 Expo,” said Stuart Charity.

About 250 delegates from businesses around New Zealand are expected to take the opportunity to attend the biggest Collision Repair Expo in the region while attending their national conference.

On Thursday evening the CRA NZ will hold its annual awards dinner to celebrate success for the nation’s businesses and young apprentices. The message from the Kiwis is: “We are looking forward to Melbourne and networking with industry colleagues”.

Seminars present practical business ideas

Stuart Charity said this Expo reinforces the Give Your Business a Crash Course theme with a comprehensive two day seminar program designed to deliver proven ideas and techniques that you can actually implement into your business the following week.

“The industry is changing at an unprecedented pace. By selecting seminar topics from the program to suit your needs, you will learn how to position your business to respond to today’s challenges and take advantage of the trends and opportunities that lie ahead.

“We anticipate that the topic Globalisation Impact Explained presented by I-CAR International President John Van Alstyne will be among the most popular seminars. He will demonstrate that the collision repair industry is at a crossroads and how to prepare for challenges of the future,” said Charity.

JohnVanAlstyne
JohnVanAlstyne

John Van Alstyne will discuss new vehicle designs and technologies being introduced at a rapid pace. This combined with knowledge and skills gaps amongst technicians, impacts in a consistent manner across the globe.

The ability of the collision repair sector to perform complete, safe and quality repairs, has never been a more challenging environment than right now. To close the gap, increasingly sophisticated training and education resources and commitments are required. 

John Van Alstyne will deliver an informative update on the Global Collision Repair Network, including the "what to-be-aware-of" aspects for the near future. He will also list key factors to prepare for and to address in what order, to enable not only sustainability, but to ensure profitability. The Globalisation Impact Explained seminar will be held at 1.00 pm on Friday 7 April.

Expo visitors are also invited to join KAESER Compressors at their seminar on Optimising Compressed Air System Efficiency on Friday 7 April at 10.45. Presenter will be KAESER Compressors Australia National Design and Engineering Manager Jeff Coyle.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes to pace five acres of state of the art automotive technology from 437 market leading companies across the aftermarket and collision show floor.

AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said this year's theme 'Give your business a crash course' was selected to reflect unprecedented change rolling rapidly across Australia’s collision repair sector.

“This Expo is the largest of its type in the region and, at the Australian industry’s request, it is held every two years. This means products and services you see and experience at Expo are the latest available from around the world,” said Stuart Charity.

“By investing time in a visit to this Expo you and your team can learn how to Give Your Business a Crash Course by updating your product knowledge, learning how to manage the challenges of our rapidly changing industry and by sharing ideas through a range of networking opportunities.

Registration is important

Attending the Expo is free to everyone in the industry and to save time standing in queues, you should register in advance.

Presented by top industry experts, the seminars are also free and very popular, so advance booking is necessary to ensure your place. You can book here.

 

 

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