CARS/NACE in Orlando

NACE and CARS in Orlando

Oct. 31, 2011

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) held their annual trade show in Orlando this year. It’s actually two shows, the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) and the congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS).

I’ve been going to CARS since 1998 to take advantage of some of the best training the industry has to offer, and this year was no exception. However, all this time these were two separate events in two different hotels in Las Vegas, presented the same week as the AAPEX and SEMA shows, so I’ve never seen NACE before.

I’m impressed by the science and technology involved in collision repair. A growing number of vehicles are being built with mild steel, high-strength steel and aluminum all on the same chassis. You don’t straighten a chassis like that by just pulling on the bent part until the new body panels fight right. The measuring and diagnostic equipment, vehicle dimension database, computer controls… a whole new world for me that will be fun to learn about.

About the Author

Jacques Gordon

Jacques Gordon is the former editor-in-chief of PTEN and Professional Distributor magazines. His background includes 10 years as an automotive technician and 10 years in Tier 1 suppliers’ engineering labs testing gaskets, fuel injection systems and emission control systems.

He continues to stay abreast of the latest technical developments through editorial research and technician training seminars. He holds an ASE Master Technician with L1 Certification and a Master Hybrid Technician certification from ACDC.

Jacques has been writing for aftermarket magazines since 1998, and he has earned a reputation as one of the best technical writers in the business. He is a winner of two American Society of Business Press Editor awards and several company editorial awards.

He is currently the video script writer for the CARS Training Network in Ontario, Canada.

Connect with him on LinkedIn.