Bigger, Better, Best! Great Memories Made at ABAT’s 2024 Texas Auto Body Trade Show

by Alana Quartuccio

It just keeps getting bigger and better! 

That is precisely why the Texas Auto Body Trade Show is THE best! Record-breaking numbers are proof that this year’s show is the only place collision repairers in the entire southeast region – and, of course, the Lone Star State – can access excellent education, top-of-the-line equipment and reliable resources, all while having a ton of fun along the way! 

The Irving Convention Center was alive with activity from the moment the show opened on Friday until it was all said and done Saturday evening. Attendees walked away with newfound knowledge, valuable tools and memories that will last for decades to come. 

Some even walked away with prizes and bragging rights!

The fourth iteration of the BIG SHOTS Competition once again drew crowds to the center of the show floor as onlookers came to watch people compete and show off their skills in paintless dent repair (PDR), auto body tech (welding), painting and estimating. 

The champion in each of the four categories (featured on the front cover) walked away with $1,000 cash and other prizes. 

PDR Tech

First place: Tony Rios (Dent Stop; Dallas) 

Second place: Wendell Shults (Delete Dents; Pampa) 

Third place: Steve George 

(After the Storm Autoworx; Plano) 

Estimator

First place: Orlando Hernandez 

(Berli’s Body and Fine Finishes; Pflugerville) 

Second place: Kent Deaver 

(Berli’s Body and Fine Finishes; Pflugerville) 

Third place: Philip Glass (Park Place Bodywerks; Dallas) 

Painter

First place: Adrian Ortiz (Park Place Bodywerks; Dallas) 

Second place: Bryan Mendez (Xtreme Collision; Carrollton)

Third place: Flaco Oviedo (Auto Body Concepts; Gainesville) 

Auto Body Tech

First place: Bill Thacker (Caliber Collision) 

Second place: Alan Meza (Ratteree) 

Third place: Hector Delgado (Traction Collision; Houston)

All winners in all categories received prizes and swag courtesy of the BIG SHOTS sponsors.

Each year, the show provides an opportunity for vendors to showcase their latest innovations, and 2024 was no different. In fact, it was one of the best according to many returning exhibitors who reported loads of activity on the show floor. 

“We’re big supporters of ABAT and believe in their mission and vision – that’s what brings us back year after year,” shared Robby Read of Gold Sponsor 1Source ADAS. “This time, the show was bigger than it’s ever been. We get to interact with the people in this market. Being part of the show is a good way to get our name out there and interact with people in the industry.” 

Matt Riddle of BIG SHOTS Sponsor AkzoNobel reported, “Turnout has been really good! We are here to support the industry. We are also big proponents of what ABAT does and their work to push legislation that would support the entire United States eventually.” 

Silver Sponsor REVV ADAS was new to the show floor. According to Saurabh Kohli, the business seized the opportunity to learn and grow from the experience. “The company is about one year old now, and we came to meet clients, get some new leads and expand our business.” He reported the team had good conversations with those they interacted with and looks forward to seeing what the ROI will amount to in coming weeks. 

Justin Proctor of Diamond Sponsor All Clear Diagnostics and Calibration says the show is consistent year after year with all it has to offer. “We always enjoy this show! It’s a chance to see some familiar faces. We are big on relationships and networking, and there’s always a good turnout here. It’s all about meeting people, getting out there and showing people what we have to offer.” 

“This is our backyard,” Matt Burkley of BIG SHOTS sponsor and returning exhibitor Car-O-Liner Southwest enthusiastically expressed. “This is where the majority of our customer base is; it’s the customer base we’ve had for 30-plus years. It’s old friends, new friends, children of old friends – that’s why we keep coming back.

“What we’re excited about this year versus prior shows is we have a new product that we were able to unveil for the first time in 20 years – an update to our frame bench,” he continued. “It was exciting for us to showcase that, especially to our old friends.” 

Chris Curran of longtime supporter Eco-Tech Systems also sang the praises of the 2024 event. “It’s been a really good show with new leads coming in.” Curran says the opportunity to “meet new clients and see existing clients” is what always brings them back.

Platinum Sponsor BASF’s Jeff Frye cites the consistent foot traffic and opportunity to meet new people as reasons for coming back to each iteration of ABAT’s show. “This year has been much like years past,” Frye reported. “We’ve seen existing customers and some new prospects. It’s been a good show.” Beyond the great experience the show provides, BASF’s partnership with English Color and Supply as well as their relationship with Burl Richards and his shops are additional reasons Frye lists as their reasons for bringing their annual support.

“It was a great turnout,” boasted ABAT Board member Robert McDorman (Auto Claim Specialists). “Lots of people are hungry for education. They want to learn about safe and proper repairs, and ABAT supports that message.”

McDorman noted the enthusiasm that was felt by those he interacted with on the show floor. “Many guests are interested in what ABAT can do to help them. Every year, we see more and more new faces.” 

ABAT thanks the following sponsors for their generous support of the 2024 Texas Auto Body Trade Show: Diamond Sponsors: All Clear Diagnostics and Calibrations and English Color and Supply, LLC; Platinum Sponsor: BASF; Gold Sponsor: 1Source ADAS; Silver Sponsors: Complete Collision Solutions and REVV ADAS; Car Show Sponsor: English Color and Supply, LLC; Media Sponsor: VAULTONIQ; BIG SHOTS Sponsors: 3M, AkzoNobel, AnsonPDR, Car-O-Liner Southwest, CCC Intelligent Solutions, Evercoast, KECO, Norton, Sherwin-Williams and Solidus; NASCAR Sponsors: All Clear Diagnostics & Calibration, Auto Claim Specialists, Car-O-Liner Southwest, Collision Classifieds, Consolidation Coach, FindPigtails.com, GO Rentals, SMART Vehicle Solutions and UniCare Spraybooths.

Want more? Check out the August 2024 issue of Texas Automotive!