Game On! ABAT’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show September 18-19
by Alana Quartuccio
Collision repair can surely be one helluva tough game, especially in today’s climate. Auto body shops can find themselves playing both defense and offense, and all too often it’s with a limited number of team players.
The only way to come out on top is to find new ways to play the game. And there is no better place to find those strategies for your playbook than at ABAT’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show!
Collision repairers will want to make their way to the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Convention Center September 18 and 19 for a can’t-miss-weekend of events that will set up even the most engaged professional with the remedies needed to tackle those day-to-day challenges. In true Texas fashion, ABAT’s annual event grows bigger year after year offering prime educational opportunities from some of the industry’s most well-known masterminds, an expanded set of innovations and resources on the show floor and unique networking opportunities that will create new relationships and memories for years to come.
ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle insists this year’s trade show is an absolute can’t-miss event. “We know everybody is short-staffed right now, working with skeleton screws. They are trying to bring in all the business they can while being stretched as thin as they can possibly be. But that’s all the more reason to come to the show! We have the solutions to many of the problems plaguing the industry right now.”
This year’s educational lineup is one of the strongest ever, designed to power up repairers with new ways to bring in more business. In fact, the popular “Industry Over a Pint” segment will feature a panel of shop owners who will share their experiences with bringing in alternative revenue streams to their auto body shops. This happy-hour segment is sure to deliver game-changing information, according to Tuggle. “We’ll hear from shop owners who have actually implemented these revenue streams and the suppliers who can provide the equipment and tools needed.”
A topic that is certain to strike a chord for most is getting paid fairly. Industry attorney Sean Preston (Coverall Law) will make his Texas Auto Body Trade Show debut addressing the “Key to Getting Paid.”
“Everything we do at Coverall Law focuses on empowering people to exercise control over their own businesses,” Preston relays. “You run a business. You need to be paid for the work you do. We’ll talk about some actionable steps shops can take to make sure they are getting paid for every job.”
Preston suggests shops give some thought to their front office processes, including their authorization forms and what the customer experience is like beforehand. “Think about how you own your customer relationships. How you handle those relationships along with the terms and conditions of the transaction are the two things that are going to have the biggest impact on how you go about getting paid.”
Don’t miss Ryan Taylor’s (BodyShop Booster) “UnfAIr Advantage” presentation centered on how AI can help shops in the two biggest areas they are most likely to hemorrhage customers: lead capture and estimate capture. “We’ll show attendees how to fix those leaks in the bucket and then how they can crank up the volume.”
Industry veterans Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) and Danny Gredinberg (DEG) return to the Texas Auto Body Trade Show to present an in-depth estimating session focused on improving repair planning and helping shops write more complete, accurate estimates. Anderson, one of the most dynamic speakers around, will also moderate a special panel discussion featuring representatives from major paint manufacturers discussing the tools and resources available to help shops seek proper reimbursement for refinishing materials.
See page 18 for the full course listing and make your plans to get the most out of this game-changing experience.
Speaking of getting in the game, golf enthusiasts will want to be sure to get to town one day early to take part in the Kaizen Classic Golf Tournament. Taking place just minutes from the convention center at the Golf Club at Twin Creeks in Allen, this event brings together the glass industry and the auto body industry thanks to a partnership between ABAT’s show and Kaizen Glass Solutions.
That partnership doesn’t stop there. In fact, it’s just the beginning as an entire area of the Texas Auto Body Trade Show floor will be devoted to glass industry related vendors. Whether one is looking to bring glass work in house or sublet the work to a vendor, they will be able to find everything they need right on the show floor.
Not only is ABAT’s show a great learning experience via education on and off the floor, it’s also known to never disappoint in the areas of big fun and excitement. Tuggle kept her lips sealed about one of the biggest surprises for the 2026 show, but she strongly suggested everyone make their way to ABAT’s booth on the show floor or risk missing out on what is sure to be the most talked about attraction!
It wouldn’t be the Texas Auto Body Trade Show without its signature After Party event onsite at the Canyon Bar & Grill! It’s always a night to remember! Enjoy amazing refreshments while catching up with peers at the social gathering of the year. This year, get your voices ready for some fun singalongs, as Tuggle says the big celebration will feature a dueling piano show!
By the way, there’ll even be chances to get in the game right on the trade show floor via the BIG SHOTS Competition! This fun and friendly competition is open to all to test their skills in welding, painting, estimating and glue pulling. Spectators crowd the center of the trade show floor to cheer on their competitors all weekend long. Winners get amazing prizes for first, second and third place. In fact, first place winners in all four categories get $1,000 in cash and will be featured on the cover of Texas Automotive.
Want more? Check out the September 2026 issue of Texas Automotive!