Time to Blossom at the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show!

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

With mere days left before the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show, scheduled September 12-13 at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Convention Center in Allen, collision repair professionals throughout the Lone Star State and beyond are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an ideal opportunity to grow, branch out and blossom their knowledge, skills and resources.

“We’re going to have another great show!” ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle predicts. “We’re branching out to try some new things – like offering two classes in Spanish and featuring a presentation by motivational speaker and leadership expert Amy Pechacek – while continuing our tradition of offering hard-hitting sessions on practical topics, presented by the nation’s top-rated industry favorites. The trade show floor will be filled with exhibitors showcasing their latest and greatest products, tools and equipment, and as always, we’re ready to have a lot of fun. We all know those after-hours conversations can be the most insightful, so we’ve made sure there are plenty of opportunities for networking and connecting with one another.”

Some networking will occur outside of the show: 

You won’t want to miss ABAT’s Annual After Party as the association celebrates its HUGE legislative win in securing mandatory appraisal rights in all Texas insurance policies with a “Texas-meets-Hollywood” bash. Get ready to raise a glass to RTA and everyone who made it possible. And the ladies of collision should be sure to grab an invitation to ABAT’s exclusive Fourth Annual Ladies’ Mixer when you check in at registration! 

Of course, some of the most exciting happenings will take place right on the Show floor! This year, ABAT is introducing a giant magazine photo box on the show floor where you can snag a picture to envision yourself as a cover model for Texas Automotive, and automotive aficionados will definitely want to head out to the parking lot to check out this year’s entries in the annual English Color & Supply Car Show.

Those with a competitive streak (who are we kidding, that’s all of y’all, right?) will want to head over to the center of the Trade Show floor right away to participate in the Fifth Annual BIG SHOTS Competition and show off your paint, body, glue pull or estimating skills for a chance to win $1,000 cash and other great prizes. The best of the best will walk away with the title of ABAT Painter of the Year, Estimator of the Year, Body Tech of the Year or PDR (paintless dent repair) Tech of the Year, and winners will be featured on the cover of an upcoming edition of Texas Automotive.

A highlight of the Texas Auto Body Trade Show since it debuted in 2021, BIG SHOTS grows each year. 

“The BIG SHOTS Competition is near and dear to my heart,” ABAT President Burl Richards says. “Our technicians, painters, estimators and other shop personnel are the lifeblood of collision repair…without them, it’s impossible to grow and strengthen this industry, so we want to recognize and celebrate them for the hard work they do every day.”

“The prizes are great, but the bragging rights are just as valuable,” Tuggle teases. “ABAT showers the BIG SHOTS winners with gifts, money and magazine coverage, so sign up and show us what you’ve got! And newcomers have a greater shot at being a BIG SHOT this year since Davis Richards, who has been in the winning circle since we began, is joining the team of judges to open up space for others to prove their mettle.”

“No matter what role you fill in this industry, you’ve probably got a lot of pride in what you do, so this is your chance to prove you’re really as good as you think you are,” Richards challenges attendees to sign up for the competition. “You can’t be one of the best if you don’t believe in yourself. This is a true competition between skilled professionals, so don’t think that just anyone can win! You have to have the skills to get there.”

BIG SHOTS wouldn’t be possible without the support of great sponsors like CCC Intelligent Solutions which is “proud to be sponsoring the BIG SHOTS Estimating Competition again,” according to CCC’s Nick Galati. The information provider also has some exciting plans for their booth this year. “We’re thrilled to unveil a brand-new booth layout designed to give attendees an even better experience, connecting with our team, asking questions, and exploring the latest CCC solutions up close. Our focus this year is on empowering shops to elevate customer and employee experiences, making every interaction count.

“We’re looking forward to connecting directly with the broader auto body community to hear what’s really happening on the ground,” Galati adds. “The Texas Auto Body Trade Show is such a great opportunity to listen, learn, and share how CCC’s solutions can help solve the challenges they face every day. Whether that’s improving the customer experience, simplifying workflows for techs or uncovering new ways to boost profitability. We’re excited to show how solutions that support both the customer and employee experience can drive real business outcomes. This event is the perfect place to have those conversations. You’ll find us just across from the BIG SHOTS action at Booth #330. Stop by, say hello, and see what’s new. We can’t wait to connect!”

KECO Body Repair Products will be sponsoring the PDR competition, and KECO’s Benjamin Staton notes, “We’re proud to sponsor the BIG SHOTS Competition by supplying giveaway items and supporting the event. It’s a great way to celebrate skill, innovation and the craftsmanship that drives the collision repair industry forward.”

Attendees will want to stop by KECO’s booth to check out their “live demonstrations of the L2E Premium System, highlighting the K-Power Lateral Tension Tool and walking through the full repair process. Our team will be on hand to answer questions and discuss how GPR can help technicians work more efficiently and effectively,” Staton promises. “We look forward to connecting with collision repair professionals and showcasing how the L2E Premium System enables shops to repair panels that were once replaced. Our process focuses on unlocking damage and staying unlocked, with the K-Power Lateral Tension Tool playing a key role in freeing locked metal for faster, cleaner repairs. We also encourage attendees to attend KECO’s class session on Saturday at 10:45am to see how GPR can expand repair capabilities in their shops.

The trade show floor will be open 1-8pm on Friday and 10am-6pm on Saturday, offering a chance to check out vendors’ wares to learn more about their latest software, products, tools, equipment and services. (Visit grecopublishing.com/txa0825coverstory to learn more about what to expect from exhibitors.)

And there’s even a chance to hobknob with a celebrity! “Shorty Ponce from Shorty’s Dream Shop on MotorTrend TV will again be in the Lift King booth greeting attendees and signing autographs all weekend,” Paul Kerr (Lift King Products) shares, promising the exhibitor will “have lots going on this year.”

Ponce also expressed his eagerness about returning to Texas’ biggest collision event. “I’m super excited to be back at ABAT’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show! I can’t wait to see all the latest tools and equipment for the automotive repair industry – after all, the tools we work with make all the difference. It will be good to see my friends and make some new ones. I also hope to meet many young individuals beginning their career in the business; as we all know, the youth are the future. Thank you to everyone that makes this show possible and promotes the advancement of our industry. Please stop by and see me at the Lift King Products booth Friday and Saturday! See you there!”

There’s still more to see at Lift King’s booth, though. “In addition to showcasing our top-tier collision repair equipment in person at the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show, we are eager to engage directly with both new and veteran attendees, offering hands‑on demos of our light duty and heavy-duty products, dollies and paint stands and highlighting how our US-designed products help collision repair professionals work more safely, productively and efficiently,” Kerr adds. “As always, we look forward to connecting face‑to‑face with shop owners and technicians, gathering feedback and discussing use cases at the new location. We are also having some great deal specials, new product introductions, live demonstrations, promotions and an all new Made in America give-a-way through our social media.”

As always, this year’s educational agenda is jam-packed with informative sessions presented by the best of the best in collision training with appearances from crowd favorites like Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) who will teach attendees to Stay Humble, Stay Hungry. Seminars offer guidance on everything from Growing the Future: A Conversation Between Future Technicians and Body Shops to How to Create and Achieve Your Post Shop Life. (Visit grecopublishing.com/txa0725coverstory for an in-depth conversation with some of this year’s presenters, or flip to page 18 for the full educational agenda.)

Don’t miss an opportunity to blossom as a collision repair professional at the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show. If you are not already on your way to the show, visit abat.us/tradeshow and register now!

Want more? Check out the September 2025 issue of Texas Automotive!

>