Accelerate to Maximum Performance at NORTHEAST®

by Alana Quartuccio

It’s true when they say, “You get what you put in.” Running a successful automotive business in today’s world is no easy feat. If you want to get on the road to success, you have to get behind the wheel and drive your future.

The first step toward elevating your performance level starts at AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show March 20-22 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus!

The largest automotive show of its kind returns next month – and it’s bigger and better than ever!

“Excitement is building for the ultimate industry experience at NORTHEAST 2026!” shares AASP/NJ President Ken Miller. “NORTHEAST has everything today’s repairer could dream of inside one legendary event. Attendees will find top-tier education, acclaimed presenters, grand giveaways, friendly competition, top of the line equipment and more!”

NORTHEAST 2026 marks the 49th year AASP/NJ has been hosting its flagship event, which has become the largest and fastest growing show on the East Coast, attracting collision repair and automotive professionals from all around the country. 

Year after year, the show never fails to offer something new as it continues adding to its already appealing list of features like powerful educational sessions, more than 150 exhibitors offering live demonstrations and equipment, non-stop networking, challenging contests and more. NORTHEAST is a full-service center that will leave you well-equipped in all areas.

There’s always so much happening up and down the aisles of the 65,000 square foot MEC – compete in the Fourth Annual BodyWork Bowl for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights, check out some new equipment, meet celebrity guests and interact with peers. There’s never a dull moment!

And this year’s educational slate, supported by returning Education Sponsor AirPro Diagnostics, will once again feature some of the industry’s most recognizable professionals.

Kyle Bradshaw (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC) is excited to participate as a first-time presenter at NORTHEAST. With his “Excellence Wins: Redefining Customer Experience in Collision Repair” presentation, Bradshaw intends to influence fellow shop owners on how to revitalize the collision repair customer experience. Inspired by the book, Excellence Wins by Ritz-Carlton founder Horst Schulze, Bradshaw will share tales from Schulze’s Ritz-Carlton experience as well as his own successes to get people to think a bit outside the box when it comes to dealing with customers.

“It’s really easy to get caught up in the transactional side of the business versus actually taking care of the customer,” he observes. “It involves implementing a sense of hospitality to the collision repair experience to really separate ourselves from the competition. This is key not only from a branding standpoint, but when a customer has a really great experience, they will tell everyone about it.”

Bradshaw recommends attendees come to his presentation with an open mind. “For the longest time, our industry has been focused on the race to the bottom to be the fastest or the cheapest, but nobody has been really focused on the customer experience. We learned early on that our shop was really good at repairing vehicles and negotiating with insurers, but the customer experience was something we struggled with a bit. I’ve made elevating that experience my focal point over the past five years. Our shop specializes in premium and luxury brands, so our customers have a high level of expectation; therefore, we really try to mimic and focus on offering an excellent experience for our customers.”

Many other highly anticipated sessions are on deck including “P-Pages For Running Your Business Like a Boss” presented by Rachel James (Torque Financial Group) and Sean Preston (Coverall Law) who will team up to share their respective financial and legal expertise to show shops how to develop a playbook for their business.

“The economy is shifting in a lot of different ways,” James observes the many speedbumps shops have to contend with from diminished sales to increased consolidation. “In order to run a shop like a true business, owners need to know how to navigate and adapt to the changes.”

James and Preston will provide SOPs to protect one’s business and family with the right legal and financial foundation, manage operational risk, build generational wealth, prepare exit strategies, develop cash flow control and other “included and not-included operations” via the “business P-pages.”

Learn about modern glue pull repair (GPR) techniques via “Unlocking Repairability,” presented by KECO Body Repair Products. The KECO team will demonstrate how the GPR technique allows collision repairers to correct damage with greater control, reduced invasiveness and improved panel integrity. Attendees will leave with an understanding of when and how to use GPR to increase repairability, improve outcomes and streamline workflow.

Collision repair shop owners cannot afford to miss “The Final Review Advantage” which will put your shop on the path to profitability. Led by Jerry McNee (Ultimate Collision Repair; Edison) and John Niechwiadowicz (QLC, Inc.), this class will be a continuation of a workshop (see pg. 11) they will present February 25 for AASP/NJ members at INDASA USA (Fairfield). The NORTHEAST discussion will focus on the final review of the estimation process to maximize sales and profitability.

This year’s educational slate is also fully-loaded with various courses geared toward mechanical shop owners.

“Fixing the NO Start,” presented by Ira Waldman and Tim Iezzi (Expertech Automotive Training & Consulting) will examine all the many questions one must ask when dealing with a “NO Start” and other considerations ultimately benefitting every technician who takes the course whether a shop deals with foreign or domestic vehicles, ultimately driving more profitability to your doorstep.

Also designed for mechanical technicians, “Bosch Precision ADAS: Mastering Repair and Calibration” will give participants a clear understanding of ADAS components and features and how they work in collision avoidance.

Also new this year will be sessions offered in Spanish! The Spanish-speaking community is a huge part of the automotive world, and these classes give options to those who may have language barriers.

Of course, the one and only Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) returns for NORTHEAST 2026 and will co-present a day-long estimating seminar with Benjamin Stephens (Matthew’s Auto Supplies) kicking off the weekend on Friday, March 20.

New Jersey is the place to be every March, so be sure to make your plans now!

AASP/NJ has secured discounted show rates at several leading area hotels for attendees during NORTHEAST weekend, including Harmony Suites Secaucus Meadowlands, Courtyard Secaucus Meadowlands, Hyatt Place and Residence Inn – all within walking distance of the Meadowlands Expo Center. Check out all of your accommodation options at aaspnjnortheast.com/hotel-area-info.

“The only way to grow is by learning from the best – and NORTHEAST has the best information, resources and presenters available,” Miller insists. “Be sure to make your travel plans now!”

NORTHEAST 2026 show hours are 5pm to 10pm on Friday, March 20, 10am to 5pm on Saturday, March 21 and 10am to 3pm on Sunday, March 22. Attendees can pre-register for free admission, make accommodations and get the latest updates by visiting aaspnjnortheast.com.

Want more? Check out the February 2026 issue of New Jersey Automotive!