You may have heard; there’s a new trade show in town, and it’s coming to the U.S. for the first time ever. That’s right. Automechanika is making its way to Chicago, Illinois, April 24-26 (Friday-Sunday) at McCormick Place West.
Automechanika is the largest trade show and training event for the automotive aftermarket industry. It came about when a famous trade show was canceled.
“The first Automechanika show took place in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1971 due to that year’s cancellation of the International Motor Show (IAA), giving this segment of the automotive aftermarket a new platform to showcase their products to the market. Having been a success, Messe Frankfurt decided to continue Automechanika on the off years of IAA,” said Bridget Ferris, Show Director of Automechanika Chicago. “Since that time, Automechanika Frankfurt has continued to grow and is now the world’s largest trade event for the automotive aftermarket in the world, with more than 4,600 exhibitors and 140,000 international trade buyers. Today, with a network of 14 events in 13 countries, the brand Automechanika offers exhibitors access to new markets around the world.”
Automechanika isn’t like a typical trade show where you browse the show floor and maybe buy some equipment. You’ll have opportunities to get hands-on training and a sneak peek at the next generation of automotive technology.
“Automechanika Chicago will be the only trade show designed specifically for shop owners and technicians with a base consisting of three main pillars: training, innovation and inspiration,” Ferris said. “We have identified and invited the best-of-the-best trainers in the country who have designed a world-class educational event that will focus on real-world situations collision repair and service repair shops will definitely embrace. The event will also provide shops a chance to review, and in some cases test, equipment necessary to keep pace with the changing landscape of the industry.”
With Detroit, Michigan, being dubbed the “Motor City,” You might wonder why Automechanika’s first U.S. show is located in Chicago.
“We performed extensive research before deciding on a location to enter the U.S. market, and there were many compelling reasons why we believe Chicago is the ideal location,” Ferris said. “Of the 160,000 individual shops in the United States, 25 percent of them are within a 500-mile radius of Chicago. Also, 37 percent of the target market is able to travel by plane for a moderate price. Chicago is an international destination that is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. The city of Chicago has made some major changes to make it more exhibitor and attendee friendly as a convention and trade show destination. Most importantly, the city has enacted a law that allows show organizers and exhibitors to perform their own work in any size booth and to operate, load and unload vehicles at McCormick Place.
Automechanika Chicago has discounted rates at select hotels for exhibitors and attendees. Visit http://bit.ly/AutomechanikaChicagoAccommodations to book your room at one of eight hotels, including the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel and Swissotel Chicago, to name a few.
As any other trade show worth its weight in oil, Automechanika Chicago will have excellent educational opportunities of which attendees can take advantage.
“Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live will be the largest automotive repair training event ever held in North America, featuring some of the best trainers in the business,” Ferris said. “The curriculum offers a wide range of topics with more than 100 seminars being offered over the three-day training schedule. With more than 50 renowned instructors like John Thornton, Bernie Thompson, Wayne Colonna and so many more, the training at Automechanika Chicago is face-to-face learning at its best. Attendees will have a chance to select hybrid courses, aluminum-specific training and many other programs aimed at helping them stay current. The event also provides shops with a chance to review — and in some cases test — equipment necessary to keep pace with the changing landscape. It will also provide attendees the opportunity to expand their education through our training program, as well as receive ASE certification through our onsite testing facility.”
Automechanika Chicago, along with sponsoring companies, will be providing scholarships for technicians to receive the three-day training free of charge.
“This is a unique opportunity for shop owners and technicians to get advanced training, discover new technologies and innovations and see the latest products and services of more than 400 exhibiting companies on the show floor,” Ferris said. “In addition to the training, we already have confirmations from many of our exhibitors that are introducing new products to satisfy the innovation expectations of our attendees. We expect all the attendees to leave the show very inspired after they visit the diverse exhibits and experience the feature areas that will contain demonstrations of everything from welding to painting techniques.”
Automechanika Chicago is giving away 2,000 scholarships to their training programs. To apply for a training scholarship, go to: http://bit.ly/AutomechanikaTrainingScholarship and fill in your information. If you have further questions, you can call 800.661.5319 or send an email to [email protected]. If you only want to sit in on one seminar, it will cost you $100.
There’s much more to be expected from Automechanika Chicago than just fantastic educational classes.
“Attendees can expect to meet with the more than 400 exhibitors at Automechanika Chicago to see the latest products and services and discover new technologies and innovations to keep up with the needs of their customers,” Ferris said. “Technicians in search of a job will be able to visit The Career Connection, a career fair hosted by Automechanika Chicago, which will be centrally located on the show floor. It will serve as a place where shops can connect with potential candidates for open positions. Shop owners will work with ASA (Automotive Service Association) Illinois to list jobs they have available and schedule interviews with hiring shops.”
If you’re thinking Automechanika Chicago isn’t for you because you’re an independent shop, it couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Automechanika Chicago will offer independent shops the opportunity to evaluate the product offerings of the U.S. market and build relationships with distributors, wholesalers and importers to become more competitive in the industry,” Ferris said.
To find out more information on Automechanika Chicago or to register for the event, go to: www.automechanikachicago.com
Schedule of Events
Wondering how things will go down during your trip to Automechanika? Keep reading for the daily breakdown of events.
Friday, April 24, 2015
8:30 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.: Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live Seminars
9:45 a.m. — 10 a.m.: Opening Ceremony
10 a.m. — 5 p.m.: Trade show floor is open
11 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.: ALLDATA at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
12 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.: Temel Gaskets USA at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
12 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.: H&S Autoshot at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
1 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.: Schaeffler at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
1 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.: Axalta at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
1 p.m. — 1:45 p.m.: PTEN Tool Roundtables; moderated by staff from PTEN magazine, join a panel of technicians and shop owners as they discuss the tools and equipment that make their shops run at peak performance. The goal of this roundtable is for everyone to share their tool tips and to also leave with several ideas to take back to the shop.
2 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.: CRP at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
2 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.: Snap-On at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
2 p.m. — 5:15 p.m.: Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live Seminars
3 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.: Bizol North America at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
3 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.: CARSTAR at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
4 p.m. — 4:30 p.m.: GMB at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
6:30 p.m. — 8:30 p.m.: Opening Night Reception at Navy Pier — All exhibitors and attendees are welcome. Shuttles are provided.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
8:30 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.: Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live Seminars
10 a.m. — 5 p.m.: Trade show floor is open
11 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.: ALLDATA at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
11 a.m. — 11:30 p.m.: ZF at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
12 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.: NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) Inc. at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
12 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.: Sonnax at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
1 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.: Corteco (TransTec) at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
1 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.: Chief at the Collision Product Demonstration Stage
1 p.m. — 1:45 p.m.: PTEN Tool Roundtables
2 p.m. — 2:30 p.m.: Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
2 p.m. — 5:15 p.m.: Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live Seminars
6 p.m. — 8 p.m.: International Reception — McCormick Place West
Sunday, April 26, 2015
8:30 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.: Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live Seminars
10 a.m. — 3 p.m.: Trade show floor is open
11 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.: Noxudol at the Collision Repair Product Demonstration Stage
12 p.m. — 12:30 p.m.: Factory Motor Parts at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
1 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.: CRC Industries and celebrity Jessi Combs at the Service Repair Product Demonstration Stage
2 p.m. — 5:15 p.m.: Automechanika Chicago presents Motor Age Training Live Seminars
Educational Programs
Automechanika Chicago is offering more than 100 seminars. Here is a sneak peek at a few of the seminars taking place.
Friday, April 24, 2015
8:30 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.
Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur & Multi-Auto Shop Owner & Operator by Greg Sands and Sherri Sands of Mudlick Mail
Increasing Your Revenue with Hybrid Vehicle Service by Paul Pate of Panoptic Training (AR&D)
Measuring and Managing a Service Shop in the New “Service on Need” Business Model by Bob Greenwood
MACS Annual Update by Larry Turay of MACS
TPMS Tips & Tricks: Diagnostics and Process Review by Michael Rose of BartecUSA
2 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.
The Medium Duty Truck Workshop by Peter Luban
2 p.m. — 5:15 p.m.
OBD II Diagnosis, Monitors and Repairs by G. Truglia
Advanced Drivability & Diagnostics: “Diagnose Efficiently the First Time” by Jason Norwood of NGK
Steel vs. Aluminum: Fact and Fiction by Ken Boylan of Chief Automotive
Saturday, April 25, 2015
8:30 a.m. — 10 a.m.
Real World Fixes by John Parmenter of Precision International
8:30 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.
How to Use Digital Marketing to Grow Your Business in a Consolidating Market by Frank Terlep
9 a.m. — 10 a.m.
The New ASE Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification by Tony Molla of ASE
10:15 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.
What You Don’t Know May Close Your Business by Tony Passwater of AEII
2 p.m. — 5:15 p.m.
Financial Best Practices by Mike Anderson of Axalta
How to Fall in Love with Your Automotive Repair Business All Over Again by Scott Wheeler
New Exhaust Technologies Including Clean Diesels by Gary Stamberger of Magnaflow
Leveraging Your PC for the Automotive Service Professional by Scott Brown, iATN
Aftermarket Access to OEM Service Information by Skip Potter of NASTF
ROI of ASE Certifications by Tony Molla of ASE
Modern Engine Lubrication by Kevin McCartney of NAPA Autotech
Sunday, April 26, 2015
8:30 a.m. — 10 a.m.
Q&A with EricTheCarGuy by EricTheCarGuy
8:30 a.m. — 11:45 a.m.
Bosch Direct Injection Technology Update by Bob Pattengale of Bosch Automotive Service Solutions
Mastering the Six Financial Keys to Build a Multi-Million Dollar Shop by Scott Wheeler
The New 300,000 mile/500,000 km Service Strategy by Kevin McCartney of NAPA Autotech
For a complete list of educational seminars, go to: http://bit.ly/AutomechanikaChicagoEducationalSeminars
