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AUTOCARE 2018 COLLISION REPAIR STREAM PROGRAM REVEALED

Australia’s premier convention for the repair, service and parts sectors of the Australian automotive industry, Autocare 2018, is set to be a must-attend event for the nation’s crash repairers, with the Collision Repair stream of the convention including a vast array of outstanding key note speakers and educators. The convention will be held on May 4 and 5, 2018 at the Sydney International Convention Centre.

Organised by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), Autocare 2018 is presented by Diamond sponsor Repco and Platinum sponsor I-CAR. These companies are joined by industry leaders such as SAPE, Lowbake and iBodyshop together with over 80 Silver and Bronze Autocare 2018 partners.

The AAAA is delighted to announce that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chairman, Rod Sims, will provide the opening keynote address at Autocare 2018. The ACCC Chairman’s address will outline the major findings and recommendations arising from their market study into the new car retailing industry and its implications for the Australian automotive aftermarket industry, including their recommendation to introduce a mandatory data sharing scheme in Australia.

Autocare 2018 will also welcome the United States based Director of Industry Technical Relations from I-CAR, Jason Bartanen, who will provide a detailed presentation on Collision Repair Technology. Bartanen will share his extensive knowledge on the changing nature of materials being used in automotive vehicle construction, along with the impact of driver assistance systems among other important issues. He will also provide an educated insight into where the collision repair industry is likely to be by 2023.

Stephen O’Brien from DNS Technologies will present a keynote session which will provide tips to help you get off the business treadmill by looking outside the square and identifying where improvements can be made to the poor cousin of investment and advancement in body shop – the office.

Nikki Gerling, the Automotive Aftermarket General Manager of Bosch Australia and New Zealand will address the future of mobility in an address titled ‘Electrified. Connected. Automated’.

A number of informative panels have also been assembled for the Collision Repair stream of Autocare 2018. These panel discussions will provide the collision repairers of Australia with access to some of the most influential identities of the industry.

These include a Global OEM panel looking at the impact of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems which will provide attendees with an understanding of how this technology is inter-connected within the vehicle, the importance of correct diagnoses and recalibration, along with how this all relates to approved repair procedures.

There will also be a separate panel of OEMs, Suppliers and I-CAR looking at the use of materials that were once considered exotic such as stronger and lighter steel, aluminium and composites which have now found their way into the mass-market. This workshop will discuss the impact these materials have on the need for ongoing training and development of technicians and the necessity to follow recommended repair techniques.

Senior representatives from a range of global automotive coatings companies will discuss Advancements in Refinish Coatings Technology and their impact on the application and drying processes.

A panel of insurers and industry associations will debate the perennial question on Choice of Repairer as they attempt to separate fact from fiction and provide greater clarity to not only the repairer, but also the car owner.

A panel of industry consolidators will discuss the trend towards consolidation in the industry. While this continues to be one of the more controversial issues in the industry, this workshop is designed to provide a forum for the sharing of views to demystify the impact this has on the industry and bring some reality back to the discussion.

Also included in the Autocare 2018 program is a Panel of Developers and Future Leaders, who will discuss the Talent Gap and what the industry is doing to reignite the passion for what has become a strong and professional industry.

Australia’s pre-eminent provider of industry training programs, I-CAR, along with being a Diamond Autocare Convention partner, has an integral involvement in the Collision Repair stream of this education-led industry event, together with many more major suppliers.

I-CAR will be joined by several of the collision repair industry’s biggest names, including Lowbake Australia who will have their portable spray booth in operation, demonstrating their long-term commitment to the development of the industry. They will also be providing live demonstrations of refinishing technology at the venue’s unique outdoor deck display area.

A who’s who of the collision repair industry will also have trade display areas at Autocare 2018, including 1Q1, Axalta Coating Systems, Bodyline Imports (Autolac), Car-O-Liner Australia, Dent Wizard Tools, DNS Technology, Fix Auto Australia, GPI Automotive Products, Henkel Australia, Kemppi Welding Machines, Nippon Paints, Quotimation, Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment, Thatcham-Escribe, Truflow Spray Booths, Valspar Automotive Australia and many more.

The convention also includes a gala dinner, live training and technical demonstrations along with a special outdoor feature car display. The AAAA anticipates that over 3,000 automotive professionals will attend the combined two-day formal Convention Program, free trade display and onsite activities. All of this makes Autocare 2018 an education, networking and business development event that should not be missed.

According to Stuart Charity, Executive Director of the AAAA, the peak national body representing the $14 billion Australian automotive aftermarket industry, the scope and structure of Autocare 2018’s Collision Repair stream of presenters and panels is truly impressive.

“The bumper Autocare 2018 schedule of key note presentations and collision repair industry sector focussed speakers combines outstanding global and local expertise with specific focus on market research, customer trends and emerging technologies to ensure that attendees learn from their experiences and gain the knowledge required to position their businesses to prosper in the future,” Mr Charity stated.

“We are delighted to have assembled such a strong group of industry, business and research identities for the inaugural Autocare Convention in Sydney next May, which should not be missed for those who seek a long and successful future in the Australian collision repair industry,” He added.

Attendees are encouraged to register early to attend the Collision Repair stream of the event across both days at the Early Bird reduced cost of $200 (inc GST) per delegate, or you may select to attend one day of the convention at the cost of $110 (inc GST) per delegate for registrations made by midnight on March 15, 2018. Following that date the standard registration rates are $240 (incl GST) for two days and $135 (inc GST) for one day.

The full Autocare 2018 Convention event and program information, online registration, secure payment portal and accommodation booking service can be viewed at www.autocare.org.au.

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