Resilience on Display at the Texas Auto Body Trade Show

by Jill Tuggle, ABAT Executive Director

This year’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show came at a time when our industry is facing some of its toughest challenges yet.

Shops are slow, layoffs are happening, and with an already slim talent pool, hiring is harder than ever. Like many of you, I’ve also wrestled with staffing hurdles, tighter budgets, new software and the added complexity of hosting at a brand-new venue. Nothing feels easy right now – for any of us.

But if there’s one thing I know about this industry, it’s that we are resilient. Collision repair professionals have never been strangers to hard work or doing things the right way in the face of adversity. Even in good times, fixing cars correctly and getting paid fairly is never simple. There’s no “easy button” in this business.

And yet, despite these challenges – and even with attendance slightly lower than in years past – the show proved to be nothing short of inspiring. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Vendors reported having meaningful conversations with attendees (a big win!), our educational classes sparked deep thinking and fresh ideas, and when it came time to celebrate, we partied like it was 1999!

The hotel and conference center were filled with hundreds of collision repair professionals, ready to learn, network and tackle the issues we face head-on with guidance from some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our competitions were buzzing with talent and enthusiasm, showcasing skills and awarding some amazing prizes. The Car Show wowed with over 65 stunning classic and custom rides. We even shared a special champagne toast at the After Party, celebrating the passage of the mandatory Right to Appraisal law – a milestone worth raising a glass to.

There were unforgettable touches throughout: striking a pose in our custom-made “magazine cover” photo booth, capturing free professional headshots in the ABAT Portrait Lounge and simply enjoying the chance to connect with peers who understand exactly what we’re all going through.

Yes, our industry is struggling – but we are struggling together. And together, we’re proving that even in tough times, we will continue to show up, support our vendors and lift each other up.

This show reminded me that we are stronger than the challenges in front of us. We are inspired to keep the momentum going with more training opportunities throughout the year and into next year – helping shops learn how to do more with less, collect every dollar and most importantly, fix every car as safely as possible.

Here’s to resilience, community and a future we’ll build together!

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

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