| The Collision Repair Expo to be held in Melbourne from 12 to 14 May 2011 will be the biggest and most comprehensive collision repair trade show ever held in Australasia. With seven months to go before the event, 75 percent of the Collision Repair Expo exhibition space is already sold. The Collision Repair Expo has been organised on behalf of the industry every two years since 2007 by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA). The Expo will be a “sell out” display of paint products and application systems, chemicals and surface preparations, collision repair tools and equipment, replacement panels, parts and frames, computer software and hardware and training programs. “The fast pace of exhibition space sales is a critical show of confidence that we have the right format for the industry’s Expo,” said AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity. “One key to the growth of this show is that it is truly run by the industry, for the industry. “This show is managed by a volunteer committee of exhibitors. Drawn from different sectors of the industry, they understand the exhibitors’ needs. And as marketers to the industry, they certainly understand what the visitors want to come and see at the Expo. “There is real competition for the remaining stand space. We encourage local manufacturers and distributors to book their stands now to avoid disappointment. This show only runs every two years and, as it alternates between Melbourne and Sydney, it will not return to Melbourne until 2015,” he said. The major corporate sponsor for the Collision Repair Expo is AkzoNobel and media partners include leading international publications, such as Australian BodyShop News, National Collision Repairer and Paint & Panel. The 40 confirmed exhibitors include a “who’s who” list of Australian collision repair industry manufacturers, importers and resellers. The Collision Repair Expo will again be co-located with the separate Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, which increases the number of visitors passing across exhibitors’ stands. The 2011 Expos have 10 percent more floor space than the 2009 Sydney show. “Past event research proves that the Collision Repair Expo is a real business opportunity for exhibitors. They report excellent traffic, lead generation and actual sales from their stands,” said Stuart Charity. “This is supported by parallel research from Expo visitors. They say they attend Expo because they learn about the latest technologies and products. “A core group of regular exhibitors has steadily grown over the two previous Collision Repair Expos. They have learned how best to present their products. This investment is paying dividends for them in terms of the extra orders and increased profits gained through Expo exposure,” said Stuart Charity. AkzoNobel profits from Expo Among those core Expo exhibitors is AkzoNobel Car Refinishes. “The company is proud and excited to be the major sponsor of Australia’s only official Collision Repair industry trade show,” said General Manager Joe McFadries. “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to support the industry and showcase our premium Sikkens brand, demonstrating the latest in paint technology and product efficiency. Having exhibited since the inception of the show in 2007, we encourage companies within the industry to get involved with the trade show. “The Collision Repair Expo offers fantastic networking opportunities, as there are no other events in this region that bring together such a large and committed smash repair audience from across Australia and New Zealand. We are looking forward to the trade show, and are sure that it will be another successful event,” he said. |
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