I'll sum it up for everyone - it was a corker, possibly the best Expo yet. Paint & Panel was there with a people wall on the back of our stand with hundreds of photos from last years events and over the three days we filmed many Turbo Talks which we'll be publishing each week with the e-newsletter and on our YouTube channel. Talking of the YouTube channel head on over for a bunch of great videos from the show and find out about some of the new products. We have also produced a podcast that will be published tomorrow with interviews from various supplier stands talking about their new products.
There were plenty of new products on display, lots of innovative IT-based solutions, plenty of new tools and equipment as well as paint and consumables. Three days just wasn't enough to get around to every stand. It was great to see so many collision repairer owners investing in the future of their businesses. Here's what some of the exhibitors and visitors had to say about the Expo.
Dominic Mazzeo B&A Motor Body Repairs, Vic
"It was a great event showcasing the latest and greatest in tools and technology in our trade also gave us a chance to collaborate with peers in the trade and see local innovation from the team at LowBake with their electric heat exchange prototype. Exciting times ahead and did I mention ADAS seemed to be all the rage?"
Michelle Morgan Norton Saint Gobain
"2024 CRE was well attended and a credit to the AAAA organising team. Our Saint-Gobain stand attracted a diverse audience of distributors and end-user customers, allowing us to showcase our latest products, some of which debuted for the first time at the expo. It was wonderful to reconnect with familiar industry faces and observe the emerging trends in collision repair.
Paul Williams Lowbake
"Wow, what a show! The CRE 2024 was electric the moment the gates opened at 10am on Thursday. Great to catch up with familiar and new faces and see the industry continuing to develop and evolve. Bring on CRE 2026!"
Peter McMahon Car Craft Group
We had a great expo, and I would say the Thursday and a good deal of the morning periods Friday and Saturday we really productive, with plenty of discussions with potential supply partners and of course our Owners who were out and about in abundance. We went with a different mindset more commercial and less new owner driven, and of not to forget the Octoral-Car Craft cocktail party - a few sore heads there."
Paul McMartin SAPE
"Expo 2024 was blast. Great to see the trade so invigorated and planning for the future."
Geoff Gwilym VACC
"The quality and content of this year's event was outstanding and a real credit to the AAAA team. For body repairers there were some great demonstrations of new methods and technologies."
Owen Webb MotorEx & Summernats
"Great to be at AAAA again, it felt fresh, great vibe and it was awesome to catch up with the industry identities.
Good response from the traders and visitors alike, - congrats to all involved."
Alexandra Holston AMA Group
“The Collision Repair Expo was a very lively event this year. It was great to see so many industry participants in attendance.”