Prepare for the Future: New Englanders Head to New Jersey for NORTHEAST 2024Finding Fresh Talent

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

ADAS. EVs. AI. Augmented reality. Autonomous vehicles. And the list goes on and on as the technical tsunami continues crashing over the automotive world with wave after wave making it increasingly difficult for shops to stay afloat. The future is now, but are you prepared for what’s coming…or even what’s already here?! Say goodbye to the industry of yesterday and embrace tomorrow’s technology during the most anticipated weekend in the automotive and collision world.

From a forward-focused educational agenda to a trade show floor packed with 100-plus vendors showcasing the industry’s latest and greatest equipment, the NORTHEAST® 2024 Automotive Services Show – scheduled for March 15-17 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus, NJ – promises to deliver everything automotive and collision repair professionals need to propel their careers and businesses into the future…plus a few fun extras!

“Having attended NORTHEAST for dozens of years, I have found this event to be a very worthwhile investment of travel time,” shares AASP/MA Executive Director Lucky Papageorg. “In terms of expanse and magnitude, the show is the biggest event in our region, but the time you get to spend with vendors in a more intimate environment is an even bigger benefit! The ever-improving offering of educational seminars and speakers are right on par with those offered at SEMA, and I have always found them to be extremely valuable and informative. And its proximity to the New England area makes it that much easier and more worthwhile to attend.”

Repair professionals intent on remaining on the cutting edge will want to sign up early to take advantage of the plethora of vital training opportunities on this year’s educational slate. “Get ready for the ultimate auto experience at NORTHEAST 2024!” promises Ken Miller, president of AASP/NJ, which puts on this event every year. “We are kicking the weekend off with an exclusive early training event on Thursday, March 14, in addition to starting Friday’s training early with two special Collision Advice workshops, so be sure to join us for an exciting weekend filled with expanded educational events featuring industry legends like Dave Luehr, Mike Anderson, the Collision Advice team, John Shoemaker and more!” 

Attendees can purchase single classes for $30 each or get a huge discount on a full access NORTHEAST Educational Pass for just $249! See page 25 for the full educational agenda.

The 2024 educational slate ensures that NORTHEAST will continue to be lauded as THE premiere automotive trade show on the east coast, but attendees won’t want to miss perusing the trade show floor for the industry’s best innovations in tools and equipment…and you never know who you might see or what you might win!

For starters, fans of MotorTrend TV’s Bitchin’ Rides won’t want to miss the chance to meet Dave Kindig at Gold Sponsor AkzoNobel’s booth on Friday and Saturday! 

“This is my first time attending NORTHEAST, so I am excited to see what the show has to offer,” Kindig says. “I am also excited to be joining AkzoNobel this year, celebrating our continued partnership together, as I am now the brand ambassador for their flagship premium brand Sikkens.”

Many of the 100-plus exhibitors showcasing the field’s most relevant and effective tools and equipment will also be familiar faces, though their offerings are always the most up-to-date wares on the market, but NORTHEAST 2024 will also feature a number of new companies.

And NORTHEAST offers even more than superior education and exhibitions! The experience that attendees have come to expect can be seen throughout the weekend with multiple opportunities to indulge in the face-to-face networking that is only possible at an event of this size and caliber.

The association will recognize the industry’s future with the Fourth Annual Young Technician Award presentation where AASP/NJ will recognize two young repairers/painters for their hard work and dedication to the craft. And the Recycled Rides presentation by the National Auto Body Council (NABC) is sure to warm even the coldest hearts.

For those who prefer competition over comradery, NORTHEAST has something for you too! Taking place all weekend long, the Second Annual Bodywork Bowl Collision Repair Skills Competition gives body technicians, estimators and painters a chance to prove they’re the best of the best as they show off their skills and compete to win amazing prizes. 

Last year’s inaugural Bodywork Bowl was a “smashing” success that drew more than 60 auto body professionals to the NORTHEAST show floor to test their skills in estimating, welding and painting. Winning offered much more than merely bragging rights with top place winners taking home cash and/or prizes in each category. This year, even more is on deck, and each first place winner will take home $500 in cash plus other prizes!

There will also be plenty of chances for attendees to win a number of prizes. Simply pre-registering for NORTHEAST 2024 provides a chance for attendees to win $500 in NORTHEAST Dollars to spend on the show floor (10 winners will be chosen at random over the course of the weekend), and those who obtain a VIP ticket from their preferred vendor prior to the show can participate in a drawing to win a $500 gift card!

AASP/NJ’s flagship event typically draws over 6,000 industry professionals every March as shop owners, technicians, painters, estimators, suppliers and others flock to the 65,000 square foot show floor to check out the latest tools, products, equipment and services from over 100 exhibitors. Attendance at the 47th iteration of NORTHEAST is expected to set new records as repairers seek to learn more about the future technology pervading their businesses from the industry’s most sought-after speakers and embrace the chance to shop for the tools and equipment needed to repair the complex technology on the modern vehicles being pulled into their stalls.

“With exciting activities, giveaways, promotions, top-notch education, all of the latest and greatest equipment on display and a special celebrity appearance by Dave Kindig from Kindig-It Design, we’re expecting record attendance,” Miller says. “Don’t miss out on the automotive event of the year!”

Registration for the tradeshow and the educational courses are now open at aaspnjnortheast.com.

Want more? Check out the March 2024 issue of New England Automotive Report!