Perfect for beginners or those looking to refine their estimating skills, this session focuses on the fundamentals of damage assessment and writing accurate initial estimates. The emphasis is on precision and efficient repair planning.

Key topics include:

Capturing correct vehicle details
Identifying related vs. unrelated damage
Considering adjacent panels and components
Proper estimate documentation to tell the full repair story
A Q&A session will be included for any additional topics of interest.

ADAS and your repair process

ADAS has the potential to control Steering, Braking, and Acceleration, and the repair industry is responsible for maintaining the integrity of these systems. This session is aimed at discussing the importance of accurately identifying ADAS calibration needs related to services performed by you or your shop. Whether calibrations are performed in-house or sublet, it is ultimately up to you, the service provider, to understand the needs and reasons for calibration. It is also important to verify the procedures related to ADAS are performed accurately and systems are verified to be performing as intended. Just because there are no codes set and no warning
lights lit does not mean everything is good and working properly.

We will discuss the common systems including the different variations of each, the common components, and potential reasons for calibrations and system checks. Additionally, we will go over some common misconceptions related to ADAS and a few real-world scenarios to help bring awareness to the importance of knowing your role as it relates to ADAS.

Establish Foundational Safety Practices for High-Voltage Work Define where EV safety begins in the collision repair process, including personal protective equipment (PPE), appropriate shop signage, and risk awareness protocols.

Proper Handling and Storage of Safety Equipment Train technicians on the correct storage, maintenance, and inspection routines for high-voltage PPE and tooling within a collision shop environment.

Vehicle Condition Assessment and Risk Identification Teach technicians how to determine if a vehicle is electrified, assess the state-of-charge or damage condition post-collision, and identify the presence of deployment loops and other high-voltage indicators.

Visual and Electrical Verification Techniques Guide technicians through visual inspection of high-voltage cabling and components, and train them to conduct an absence-of-voltage test prior to initiating any structural or mechanical repairs.

Safe Vehicle Power-Down Procedures Demonstrate how to perform a live vehicle safe-down using OEM procedures on a known platform, focusing on technician safety and system deactivation verification.

In this Paint Prep Class with Jeff, you will master the essential techniques needed for a flawless automotive paint job. This comprehensive course covers every step of the process, including blocking and sanding, blend prep, masking, and final inspection. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned painter looking to refine your skills, Jeff will guide you through the fundamentals and teach new techniques to take your skills to the next level. In addition to prep work, you'll also learn final finishing techniques such as de-nibbing and buffing. These final touches are crucial for achieving a showroom-quality result, and we will provide hands-on training to help you perfect them. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your painting skills and take your craftsmanship to the next level!

Boost your autobody shop’s profitability with this dynamic, dual-instructor class featuring Keith Clark and Mike Duncan of Industrial Finishes. Keith will share expert strategies for creating accurate, detailed materials invoices that ensure you’re properly compensated for every product used. Mike will then guide you through proven marketing techniques to attract new customers, enhance your shop’s visibility, and build long-term client relationships. This class offers practical, real-world insights designed to streamline your operations, increase revenue, and strengthen your shop’s competitive edge.

Learn the secrets to professional-grade plastic repair from industry expert Ben Else of Industrial Finishes in this comprehensive, hands-on class. With years of autobody experience, Ben will demonstrate the latest techniques for repairing common plastic components, including bumper covers, grilles, and interior panels. Participants will gain practical skills in plastic welding, adhesion, and finishing methods to achieve seamless, durable repairs that meet OEM standards. Whether you’re looking to expand your skill set or refine your craftsmanship, this class will give you the confidence and expertise to tackle plastic repairs with precision and efficiency.

There will be a meal served during the Expo.  There will be eight exhibitors there for you to see. 

Once there’s an understanding of the vehicle damage and the initial estimate is written, it’s crucial to ensure that the estimate also reflects all operations necessary to repair the vehicle and restore it to pre- loss condition. There are also important items to consider as the estimator works with the parts specialist, production manager, and other roles involved in the repair process.

To build on the topics covered in the introductory class, this course will cover topics such as:
• Blueprinting
• OE operations
• Part Codes
• Applying the MOTOR Guide
• Customized repair operations
• Workfile quality
This class will also feature Q&A for special interest topics.

In this Paint Prep Class with Jeff, you will master the essential techniques needed for a flawless automotive paint job. This comprehensive course covers every step of the process, including blocking and sanding, blend prep, masking, and final inspection. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned painter looking to refine your skills, Jeff will guide you through the fundamentals and teach new techniques to take your skills to the next level. In addition to prep work, you'll also learn final finishing techniques such as de-nibbing and buffing. These final touches are crucial for achieving a showroom-quality result, and we will provide hands-on training to help you perfect them. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your painting skills and take your craftsmanship to the next level!

In the rapidly evolving Collision Repair Industry, the difference between a good shop and a great one comes down to one thing—leadership. This course is designed for collision shop owners, managers, and team leaders who are ready to break through performance plateaus and build teams that operate with accountability, consistency, and passion.

Led by Cecil Bullard, one of the most respected minds in the aftermarket space, this immersive leadership session dives deep into what it takes to lead effectively in today’s high-pressure repair environment. You’ll learn the exact mindset, systems, and communication strategies that transform average employees into highly engaged team members who take ownership of their results.

Understand the six stages of leadership, the four phases of building trust, and how to create a culture where your team doesn't just follow—they lead. Whether you’re managing technicians, estimators, or front office staff, this session delivers practical, collision-specific tools to boost morale, productivity, and profitability.

Top 5 Takeaways for Participants: Master the Six Stages of Leadership and how they apply to managing high-stakes collision teams.

Develop a Trust-Building Framework that eliminates micromanagement and boosts independent decision-making.
Learn Practical Systems for Accountability that reduce rework, improve cycle times, and increase morale.
Discover the Secrets to Inspiring Culture Change and empowering team members to become problem-solvers.
Walk Away with a Proven Leadership Toolkit you can implement immediately to lead your shop to the next level.

Master OEM Procedure Navigation – Learn how to efficiently access, interpret, and apply collision repair procedures, including proper High-Voltage service disconnect procedures, battery handling, and storage protocols.

Essential Electrical Tooling & Testing Techniques – Identify the minimum required tooling, such as CAT III meters, and apply foundational electrical safety tests without needing full diagnostic proficiency.

Post-Collision High-Voltage Procedures – Gain critical awareness around EV and hybrid systems, including when orange wiring presents a hazard. Methods for identifying welded contactors, High-Voltage isolation faults, verifying zero potential, and the importance of proper equipotential bonding.

Welding & Structural Repair Considerations – Understand OEM guidelines for welding on High-Voltage vehicles, ensuring electronic system safety during structural repairs.

Bake Booth & Thermal Management Best Practices – Explore how varying bake booth temperatures affect sensitive components in EVs and ICE vehicles, and implement protocols to mitigate thermal damage during refinishing.

Building on the foundations from the Intro class, this session dives deeper into ensuring that estimates fully account for all necessary repair operations to restore a vehicle to its pre-loss condition. It also covers collaboration with key team members such as parts specialists and production managers.

Topics covered include:

Blueprinting for accurate repair planning
Understanding OE operations
Navigating part codes
Using the MOTOR Guide Effectively
Customizing repair operations
Ensuring workfile quality

A dedicated Q&A session will provide an opportunity to address specific interests and challenges.

Whether you perform alignments in-house or sublet them, it is important to understand a proper wheel alignment goes beyond Camber, Caster, and Toe. Today’s alignment equipment can provide many additional measurements to help diagnose issues and ensure you are returning your customer's vehicles to them in pre-accident condition. This class will address the additional measurements such as SAI/IA, Setback, Turning Angle, Max Steer, and Symmetry. In a nutshell, don’t guess what's bent. It will also cover the relationship between wheel alignments and vehicle electronics, from ABS and Stability control to ADAS and related calibrations. Every one of the modern vehicle control systems relies on a solid foundation that starts with a proper wheel alignment.

Once there’s an understanding of the vehicle damage and the initial estimate is written, it’s crucial to ensure that the estimate also reflects all operations necessary to repair the vehicle and restore it to pre- loss condition. There are also important items to consider as the estimator works with the parts specialist, production manager, and other roles involved in the repair process.

To build on the topics covered in the introductory class, this course will cover topics such as:
• Blueprinting
• OE operations
• Part Codes
• Applying the MOTOR Guide
• Customized repair operations
• Workfile quality
This class will also feature Q&A for special interest topics.

Refine your seam sealing skills in this expert-led clinic with Steve Oliver from Northwest Sales and Marketing, featuring premium SEM products. Designed for autobody technicians, this hands-on session focuses on the precise techniques required to replicate OEM seam seal beads with accuracy and consistency. Steve will demonstrate best practices for applying, shaping, and finishing sealers to achieve factory-quality results, ensuring durability and visual authenticity. Whether you’re aiming to enhance your craftsmanship or stay current with industry standards, this clinic will give you the confidence and expertise to deliver flawless, OEM-level seam sealing on every repair.

Once there’s an understanding of the vehicle damage and the initial estimate is written, it’s crucial to ensure that the estimate also reflects all operations necessary to repair the vehicle and restore it to pre- loss condition. There are also important items to consider as the estimator works with the parts specialist, production manager, and other roles involved in the repair process.

To build on the topics covered in the introductory class, this course will cover topics such as:
• Blueprinting
• OE operations
• Part Codes
• Applying the MOTOR Guide
• Customized repair operations
• Workfile quality
This class will also feature Q&A for special interest topics.

Whether you perform alignments in-house or sublet them, it is important to understand a proper wheel alignment goes beyond Camber, Caster, and Toe. Today’s alignment equipment can provide many additional measurements to help diagnose issues and ensure you are returning your customer's vehicles to them in pre-accident condition. This class will address the additional measurements such as SAI/IA, Setback, Turning Angle, Max Steer, and Symmetry. In a nutshell, don’t guess what's bent. It will also cover the relationship between wheel alignments and vehicle electronics, from ABS and Stability control to ADAS and related calibrations. Every one of the modern vehicle control systems relies on a solid foundation that starts with a proper wheel alignment.

Let’s face it: most collision shop owners are working harder than ever and still not seeing the financial results they deserve. It’s not because they aren’t capable—it’s because they were never taught the financial systems that top-performing shops rely on to thrive.

This full-day session, led by Cecil Bullard, delivers the financial roadmap every collision shop owner and operator needs to finally get control of their numbers, improve cash flow, and build long-term wealth. Whether you're running DRP-heavy operations or navigating a mix of insurance and retail, the principles in this course will apply directly to your reality.

Participants will dive into the 10 most important numbers every shop must track, learn how to create financial projections, and develop pricing strategies that protect margins without sacrificing customer retention. You’ll also learn the 6 keys to sustainable financial success—and how to stop working 60+ hours a week just to break even.

Top 5 Takeaways for Participants:
Understand the 10 Financial Metrics every successful collision shop tracks—and how to interpret them.
Learn the 4 Critical Financial Reports that tell you exactly where you stand—and what needs to change.
Build a Pricing Model that Works by balancing insurance rates, labor profitability, and parts markup.
Discover the 6 Keys to Financial Success that allow you to work less and make more.
Walk Away with a Collision-Focused Financial Blueprint to grow revenue, protect your margins, and scale with confidence.

Join industry expert Ben Else from Industrial Finishes for an in-depth, hands-on class dedicated to the art and science of autobody frame measuring. With years of experience and a reputation for precision, Ben will guide participants through the latest techniques, tools, and best practices essential for accurately diagnosing and correcting frame damage. This course covers everything from interpreting measuring data to making precise structural adjustments, ensuring vehicles are restored to OEM specifications. Whether you’re a seasoned technician or looking to refine your skills, this class offers practical insights that will elevate your repair accuracy and efficiency.

Building on the foundations from the Intro class, this session dives deeper into ensuring that estimates fully account for all necessary repair operations to restore a vehicle to its pre-loss condition. It also covers collaboration with key team members such as parts specialists and production managers.

Topics covered include:

Blueprinting for accurate repair planning
Understanding OE operations
Navigating part codes
Using the MOTOR Guide Effectively
Customizing repair operations
Ensuring workfile quality

A dedicated Q&A session will provide an opportunity to address specific interests and challenges.

Once there’s an understanding of the vehicle damage and the initial estimate is written, it’s crucial to ensure that the estimate also reflects all operations necessary to repair the vehicle and restore it to pre- loss condition. There are also important items to consider as the estimator works with the parts specialist, production manager, and other roles involved in the repair process.

To build on the topics covered in the introductory class, this course will cover topics such as:
• Blueprinting
• OE operations
• Part Codes
• Applying the MOTOR Guide
• Customized repair operations
• Workfile quality
This class will also feature Q&A for special interest topics.

Inviting ALL Collision shop owners and Managers to join the Shop Owner/Manager Roundtable from 8:30am-11:30am. This roundtable is designed to help you with those burning questions that keep you up at night. Most of us have the same issues running a collision shop, learn from others, bring your questions to this open roundtable discussion and get the answers you are looking for. Remember, this event is all about Bringing The collision Industry to a Higher Level of Excellence. This free roundtable is open to ALL shop owners, managers and CTE exhibitors to attend.