The Collision Repair Expo returns to Sydney from 11 to 13 April 2013 with an exhibition hall full of state of the art body finishing materials, crash repair equipment and tools plus a busy program of industry events offered by keen supporting organisations and host - the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).

Held at the Sydney Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour, this trade only show focuses on helping workshop owners and managers boost their businesses. "The collision repair industry is undergoing rapid change," said AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity.

"Every issue of every industry magazine reports on those changes and the challenges they bring. The Expo is designed to bring together as many solutions for these challenges as possible in one place at one time," he said.

Exhibitors present leading edge technologies

The stars of the Collision Repair Expo will always be the exhibitors. "The Expo is held only every two years which means exhibitors' displays are not repetitive year after year. For every Expo, they display fresh product and demonstrate the latest technologies," said Stuart Charity.

I-Car Australia will feature the very latest welding technologies on its Expo stand. Chief Executive Officer Richard Pratt said the technologies exhibited will include alloy, high strength steel, zircon bronze and adhesive bonding.

"We will exhibit the new Commodore front rail repair procedure and we may have a sample alloy body to highlight I-Car's appointment by Mercedes Benz to deliver its Aluminium Welding Re-Certification Program," said Richard Pratt.

"To increase safety and reduce emissions, manufacturers are expanding their use of light weight materials. For example, the Mercedes Benz SL Class body is made almost entirely from aluminium, and with lightweight design, is between 125 and 140 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, depending on the equipment installed," said Richard Pratt.

Special offers from exhibitors

The Collision Repair Expo will also offer visitors an array of special business opportunities and personal prizes. Valspar Automotive will launch its Qantas Frequent Flyer Points program for De Beer and Valspar Refinish paint purchases.

National Marketing Manager Richelle Ellis said once trade customers sign up for this rewards program members can look forward to earning points when they purchase eligible Valspar Automotive paint products and accessories from participating distributors.

Motorsport fans will want to visit the DNA Custom Paints and the Autolac stands at the Expo. Visitors may enter the draw to win a genuine V8 Supercar bonnet autographed by Craig Lowndes and 2012 V8 supercar Champion Jamie Whincup. DNA's Scott Ferguson said the bonnet will be displayed on the company stand and visitors can enter the draw by purchasing any DNA product from the Autolac stand.

DNA is a sponsor of the Triple Eight Race Engineering / Red Bull Racing team and the signed bonnet fits their Commodores. To support their V8 Supercar sponsorship, DNA will launch the new paint colour "Blue Wings" created specifically for Red Bull Racing Australia.

"We look forward to people visiting the stand to learn about custom painting and check out the look of "Blue Wings" and our new flat black," said Scott Ferguson. "Our paint artist Brian Streitberger will perform live demonstrations daily in the Lowbake spray booth showing a range of specialist products, including our new DNA Virtual Chrome and Mutant CrystalZ."

New Sydney based exhibitor It Wasn't My Fault said it will offer benefits to both panel shop and car owners by providing insured not at fault drivers with replacement vehicles while theirs is repaired, and links to BodyShopDirectory.com.au, which provides consumers with a one stop selection of crash repair shops.

Expo highlights

Stuart Charity said as the show draws near, more Expo highlights are being finalised by exhibitors and the organising committee. "While the Expo has a tried and proven formula, we take a fresh approach with each show and integrate news ideas often gleaned from the visitor exit surveys we do at each Expo," he said.

"An innovation this year will be the Expo Happy Hour. Expo visitors and exhibitors will be offered complimentary heavy and light beer for a one hour networking session in the two Expo cafés on Friday 12 April from 5 to 6 pm. We will also stream live coverage of NRL matches inside the Exhibition Halls on Friday evening so visitors can keep up to date on the scores without having to leave the Expo.

"One of the busiest attractions at the Expo is the Lowbake Spray Booth which hosts live demonstrations by a roster of leading surface coating suppliers. We encourage visitors to check the schedule carefully to ensure they do not miss the demonstrations of their choice," said Stuart Charity.

The Expo has become a hub for industry activity and events hosted by supporting associations and exhibitors include:
• Suncorp Insurance Conference
• TAFE Body Shop Teachers Conference
• National Collision Repairer Lifetime Achievement Awards Breakfast
• Motor Traders Association of New Zealand Networking Function.
• AARN Meetings