NACE. The International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) has been fine-tuned to ensure collision repairers get the very latest – and greatest – information available.

Much will be new this year at NACE, which for 32 years has been “the world’s premier event for collision professionals.”

NACE 2014 will be held July 30-Aug. 2 in Detroit.

What’s new includes:
• 30,000 square feet dedicated to live demonstrations of welding, cutting, grinding, sanding and painting
• Expanded and enhanced training classes weighted toward technical training
• Manufacturer-specific classes
• Expanded I-CAR class offering
• Outstanding lineup of exclusive tours (see list below)
• A bigger, better MSO Symposium – which has been renamed the Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES)

“NACE is the only show in the United States solely dedicated to the collision repair industry. It’s a show for repairers about repairers. This year’s event is focused on ensuring that repairers have access to the information, tooling, training and equipment they need to repair today’s vehicle as well as those in the future,” said Dan Risley, Automotive Service Association (ASA) president and executive director. “As an example, Ford’s recent announcement of its aluminum-bodied F-150 is causing the entire industry to take notice and seek information and training. As a result, there will be several different classes at NACE offering aluminum repair information and training.”

Risley added, “Another example is the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF). They reported recently that the Alcoa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Alcoa (which makes aluminum), awarded a $60,000 grant that will provide aluminum repair-focused training and technical presentations to high school and college collision instructors, and industry professionals attending the 2014 NACE event.” Read more about CREF and the Alcoa Foundation grant at: http://collisioneducationfoundation.org/press-releases/.

Other manufacturers will also offer presentations at NACE on aluminum repair – including, but not limited to, Ford Motor Co., Audi, Pro Spot, Car-O-Liner, Chief and 3M. Ford will have a class that will provide 2015 F-150 aluminum repair information and details on its National Body Shop Program.

There will be at least nine classes covering aluminum, including sessions on aluminum welding and repair and a class explaining the differences between aluminum and steel.

For a complete list of classes to be offered at NACE, visit www.NACEexpo.com.

Risley said, “Alcoa’s commitment to educate instructors and the collision repair industry on aluminum repairs is unparalleled. In addition to the classes and material presented by I-CAR on aluminum, we will be assembling a showcase on the show floor highlighting current model vehicles that are aluminum-intensive. In addition, attendees can see live demonstrations on proper aluminum repair techniques to further supplement an already outstanding lineup of classes offering aluminum information.”

The rebranded Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES), formerly the MSO Symposium, has been an extremely popular, sold-out event during NACE since it premiered in 2011. It traditionally has drawn attendance from the largest multi-shop operators in the collision repair industry. But the all-new CRES business event will cater to a broader group of collision repair executives, allowing it to be more inclusive of some of the best, as well as the largest, operators in the marketplace.

This year’s event includes key changes in content, including a focus on management, operations and participation from insurance company executives presenting leading information on industry trends.

CRES is designed for collision repair multi-shop operators, as well as operators looking for high-growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions. The symposium is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1.

Attendees will experience the history of the Motor City through a host of tour options, including:
• The General Motors Co. Heritage Center
• Chrysler Museum (which is closed to the public)
• The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village
• Windsor, Canada
• The Ford Motor Co. F-150 Plant
• Chevy Volt Plant
• BASF Color Trends
• NSF Technical Tour
• OnStar Facility

In addition to the tours, there will be other events and recreational outings for spouses, guests and families. Among such events are Detroit Tigers baseball games, river and city tours, and casinos.

“Since NACE will be held in the Motor City, original equipment manufacturers will have a bigger presence than ever,” said Risley. He also pointed out that NACE is part of a new Industry Week with an overriding purpose to bring the industry together. Among industry organizations that will host meetings, events, and/or exhibit during the week are I-CAR, CIC, ASE, CIECA, NABC, SCRS, AMI, CCIF, OEM Collision Roundtable, CREF, Alcoa Aluminum Transportation board, MERA, AASA and ETI.

“This gathering of the industry – plus the fact several of the world’s major car manufacturers are headquartered in Detroit and will participate in Industry Week – creates tremendous opportunity for education, collaboration and networking,” said Risley. “Our focus is giving the repair industry an event – and a week – that is dedicated to them. It will be good to see the entire industry come together.”

Also part of Industry Week is CARS, which is for mechanical repair professionals.

This repairer-focused week will start Monday, July 28, and run through Saturday, Aug. 2. The Collision Industry Conference will be held Tuesday and I-CAR on Wednesday. The Canadian Collision Industry Forum will be held Wednesday afternoon.

ASA’s NACE | CARS Expo will be held Thursday and Friday, July 31-Aug. 1, with education beginning Wednesday, July 30, and ending Saturday, Aug. 2.