Collision repair trade show this weekend in Secaucus, N.J.
The 42nd Annual NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show, sponsored by the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ), kicks off this afternoon.
The NORTHEAST 2019 trade show opens at 5 p.m. today at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. The show runs through this Sunday, March 17.
Trade show hours are:
Friday, March 15 – 5-10 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Last night, we sat down with Jerry McNee, of Ultimate Collision Repair Inc. in Edison, N.J. who is president of AASP/NJ. In our video interview embedded below, Jerry explains that its been 11 years since the show returned to the Meadowlands and has done nothing but grow each year. The move to the Meadowlands provided a central location near major interstate highways and airports that make the show accessible from throughout the northeast and mid-atlantic states.
Jerry also discussed the association’s partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) on the Collision P.R.E.P. education program to bring a comprehensive education program for collision repairers. He also detailed how the show benefits the association and the industry.
A map of the area and a detailed schedule of events is below.
Schedule of Events
*NOTE: All Collision P.R.E.P. events are held at the Holiday Inn Secaucus Meadowlands
Friday, March 15
3pm – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
Expand Your Customer Base – Reach More Online Collision Repair Customers
Brent Betts, AP Media
Learn successful tactics to reach today’s online consumers. If you’re interested in creating more customer opportunities for your shop, you won’t want to miss this informative session that covers various strategies you’ll be able to put to use in your business. We will share relevant facts and figures, consumer research, case studies, and workshop questionnaires to assess your current digital marketing presence. In addition, we’ll explore various platforms including what makes a website successful, Google and Search Engine Marketing, Google business listings, leads and conversion tracking, social media, and the impact of online video. After attending this session, you’ll take away a greater understanding of the digital marketing space, be able to assess your current website for improvements, and take new marketing ideas back to your shop that will positively impact your business.
5pm TRADE SHOW OPENS
5pm – ESSEX/HUDSON ROOM
Business Data, Knowing Your Unknowns
Craig Seelinger, Vision + Program Manager, BASF
This session will discuss and share unique ways you should be looking at business data compared to the published national reports, which often don’t apply to what is happening in your local market. With the increased pressures from insurers to increase performance, it is imperative to have a more in-depth understanding of your numbers. We will discuss some common business KPIs in an enhanced way that provides a more accurate analysis and specific areas for improvement. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the importance of knowing their unknowns and how it can impact their business, how the “unknowns” can be used in making business decisions on selecting a DRP or even which OE certifications are right for them, and see examples of meaningful data that will help employees see the impact their job has on the overall business.
7pm – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
*NEW COURSE* Scanning Best Practices
Mike Anderson, Collision Advice
In this session, Mike Anderson of Collision Advice will share with attendees insights in regards to scanning. Topics will include but are not limited to:
– What are shops getting paid for scanning?
– What is or should be included versus not included?
– Overcoming common objections from third party payers
– And much more!
Join Mike Anderson as he introduces his brand new class here at NORTHEAST!
7pm – Located at AASP/NJ Booth 001
James Moy Memorial Award Presentation
10pm TRADE SHOW CLOSES
10pm – 12am
NORTHEAST Exhibitor Appreciation
After-Party
Located at Embassy Suites Secaucus Meadowlands
Saturday, March 16
10am TRADE SHOW OPENS
10am – UNION/WARREN ROOM
Option 1) OEM Repair Methods and Advanced Technologies
Dave Gruskos, Reliable Automotive Equipment
10am – ESSEX/HUDSON ROOM
Option 2) Automotive Industry Disruption:
Will Your Business be a Winner?
Frank Terlep, asTech
The automotive industry is experiencing disruption everywhere! Today’s vehicles are computers on wheels. There are more “lines of software code” in today’s cars than a Boeing 777. According to McKinsey and Company, today’s connected cars create up to 25GB of data per hour. Moreover, OEM manufacturers are moving towards a “mobility model”, with data warehousing, autonomous vehicles, subscription services and technology integrators as their focus, while other tech companies are also entering the space. Will you and your business be ready, willing and able to thrive or even survive the auto industry’s mass disruption?
In this session, attendees will learn:
– The major technology disruptions occurring in the automotive industry
– 5 ideas on what your business can do to survive & thrive!
10am – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
Option 3) Write it Right, with Life Nuggets to Live By
Mike Anderson, Collision Advice
You know that writing an estimate right and documentation is important for conducting business in today’s world of repairing properly, but how do you build it and use it? Understanding what motivates people, Mike will characterize how to stay uplifted while navigating the issues of our industry. You will leave this presentation feeling invigorated!
12:30pm – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
OEM Repair Panel: The Changing Landscape in Certified Repair, and Understanding the OEM Repair Procedures
Panelists: Aaron Clark (Assured Performance), Leigh Guarnieri (Honda), Mark Allen (Audi), Ken Park (Volvo) and Subaru
Navigating the changing tide of certifications for a modern collision repair facility will be discussed by multiple OEM representatives and leading repairers, covering the ins and outs of getting started, knowing how to document proper procedures, dealing with market issues, and creating a culture of education. Giving you insight about vehicle repair trends and evolutions, this panel will dive into expectations of repairers and the future they will have with highly sophisticated vehicle repair processes. Getting this valuable information gives you a better position to acquire certification and how to be more successful in that investment.
3pm – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
Option 1) Building the Bulletproof File: Documentation for Repair and Reducing Liabilities
Mark Olson, VECO Experts
Giving insight to liability, Mark will show you how to make a Bulletproof File that includes all necessary documentation and ability to research past repairs. Mark will also feature how to improve process and culture over time, while stressing the importance of OEM procedures.
3pm – ESSEX/HUDSON ROOM
Option 2) The Estimate Toolbox: Using FREE Resources to Complete an Accurate Vehicle Damage Repair Plan
Danny Gredinberg, Database Enhancement Gateway
How to document your estimate, while utilizing free resources available. Understanding what the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) is and how to use it for added value to your repair facility.
3pm – UNION/WARREN ROOM
Option 3) Safety System Alignment: A New Focus on Body Shop Profitability
Paul Stern, LiftNow Automotive Equipment
This seminar will discuss the evolution of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), such as lane departure and adaptive cruise control and the importance of calibrating and resetting these systems post-collision. The seminar also discusses the profitability that body shops can enjoy from participating and specializing in these new industry trends, as well as how to navigate challenging insurance company dynamics to get paid for their services. The attendee will leave with an understanding of the history, evolution, and future of advanced driver assist systems. The attendee will understand the importance and nuances of properly recalibrating these systems in order to restore the fully safety functionality to the vehicle’s pre-collision condition. The attendee will gain new insights and strategies on how they can profit from performing these new and critical procedures, and how to educate insurance companies on the importance of this new technology to ultimately get paid.
5pm – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
Repairer to Repairer: Realities of Structural Repair and Tooling
- Michael Bradshaw, K&M Collision
5pm TRADE SHOW CLOSES
Sunday, March 17
10am TRADE SHOW OPENS
10am – ESSEX/HUDSON ROOM
Option 1) Scanning and Calibration – Getting it Right for Successful ADAS Diagnostics
Chuck Olson, AirPro Diagnostics
Getting it right for successful ADAS calibrations: Identifying the repairs needed upfront, completing the repairs to specifications, and using the correct tools for the job.
10am – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
Option 2) Damage Assessment Documentation: Key Steps for Maximum Reimbursement
John Shoemaker, Business Development Manager, BASF
This session covers step by step documentation tips to gain maximum reimbursement on scanning, associated/related damage, measuring and structure repair time, adhesives and corrosion protection, mechanical repairs, interior paint, tire documentation requirements, and refinish operations such as; four-stage paint. Using OEM position papers/repair procedures, recognized SOPs from 3M, information from DEG inquiries and missed operations identified in the SCRS Guide to Complete Repair Planning and other resources, attendees will see how to use estimate lines, line notes and photos to effectively document their repair process. The attendee will understand how to answer questions before they are asked by utilizing an estimate line, estimate line note and photos to clearly define their repair process and why the task needs to be performed, how to itemize specific products used during the course of repair aligned with the documentation necessary to gain reimbursement, and understand the value of clear photos to help describe the repair required and how multiple angles of a repair could validate labor hours.
10am – UNION/WARREN ROOM
Option 3) Expand Your Customer Base – Reach More Online Collision Repair Customers
Brent Betts, AP Media
*Description noted earlier.
12:30pm – UNION/WARREN ROOM
Option 1) Evolution, Not Revolution: Agile Re-Manufacturing
Lee Rush, Sherwin-Williams
12:30pm – MEADOWLANDS ROOM 1
Option 2) Not Included Operations – Commonly Missed Items in Estimating
Danny Gredinberg, Database Enhancement Gateway
12pm – 2pm
NORTHEAST Family Day
Sponsored by Carstar
Located at MEC Lobby
12:30pm – ESSEX/HUDSON ROOM
Option 3) You Schedule How?
Charlie Whitaker, Akzo Nobel
As part of a KPI review as a shop Owner or Manager have you ever been told that YOUR “Severity” is too high? Have you been told that your “Business Partner” may reconsider your relationship unless you reduce “Severity” to align with their purported value? Do you understand “Severity” and what part, if any of it, is really under your control? To truly understand this metric, we will dive into where it comes from and the factors that give it credibility – or not!