NACE Automechanika, a show dedicated to high-end technical and management-related training for automotive collision and service repair shops, returned to Chicago July 26-29.

More than 360 leading suppliers displayed new automotive service and repair technologies, while connecting to nearly 8,000 attendees who took part in activities throughout Automotive Service and Collision Repair Week.

"NACE Automechanika succeeded in bringing buyers and sellers together on the show floor and in the training rooms, where we provided four days of high-quality education to automotive service and collision repair professionals," said Jim Savas, vice president and general manager of UBM's Automotive group.

He added, "We also had very favorable responses from attendees who enjoyed the networking opportunities associated with several co-located events, including the Collision Industry Conference, the MSO Symposium and our new Business Outlook Conference."

The new alliance between NACE and Automechanika Chicago proved a successful one with a heightened support from the collision repair industry.

Several industry groups held meetings and events during the week including AMi, I-CAR, CIC, CREF, Enterprise Rental Car, CCC Information Services, Inc., Allstate Insurance Company, the OE Round Table and others.

"The industry needs and deserves a national show that is solely dedicated to advancing the collision and service repair industries. As evidenced by the tremendous support from industry associations and companies, NACE Automechanika is that source," said Dan Risley, president and executive director, ASA.

The NACE Automechanika showfloor featured opportunities for testing equipment, learning about market trends and hearing from carmakers about what the future holds for vehicle service and repairs. The OE Coliseum included advanced information from General Motors, Toyota, BMW, Nissan and Fiat/Chrysler. These sessions greatly impacted attendees by providing up-to-date and current information on the latest trends in automotive repair processes.

Highlights from the showfloor included a showcase of products, services and interactive demonstrations from several exhibiting companies such as NAPA, Pro-Spot, Federal Mogul, Car-O-Liner, Tenneco and TTA Appraisal, among others. From diagnostic testing to new paint technology in the Spray Zone and welding techniques by key exhibitors, NACE Automechanika covered it all.

"We are pleased that so many leading companies chose NACE Automechanika as their platform to highlight the latest technologies and advancements in the automotive aftermarket," said Bridget Ferris, show director.

She added, "The support both domestically and internationally reinforces our vision of being the first choice for business encounters."

At the event this year, several organizations successfully raised money to support the automotive industry including the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), which raised $22,500 for Kennedy-King College, one of seven City Colleges of Chicago.

Giving back to the automotive community was also the focus of a scholarship program organized by the UBM Community Engagement Program in cooperation with the Automotive Management Institute (AMi), National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and Technicians Service Training (TST). These groups provided roughly $13,000 in scholarships to professionals and students attending this year's event.

Following a successful event this past July, NACE Automechanika will transition to an annual format, providing even more content to the automotive collision and service repair industry. The 2018 edition of NACE Automechanika will take place Aug. 8-10 in Atlanta, home to Porsche Cars North America and Kia Motors.