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Texas Auto Body Trade Show Sessions

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How to Create and Achieve Your Post Shop Life (Single Class Session)

9:00 AM -10:00 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Laura Gay - Founder of Consolidation Coach
    Laura Gay has been in the collision space for 34 years -- from insurance adjuster, to shop manager, to MSO shop owner, to successfully selling her own shops. Laura has become the #1 go-to sell-side advisor for independent collision repair shop owners. Laura writes for many body shop publication, has a podcast with BodyShop Business called “Consolidation Nation”, and is a supportive friend to the collision industry.
  • Matt DiFrancesco - CExPTM, CCA Principal/Financial Technician High Lift Financial
    Matt DiFrancesco is a Financial Advisor and Certified Exit Planner™ (CExP™) with over 20 years of experience helping family-owned businesses, especially in the collision repair industry, build multi-generational wealth and transition with purpose. Drawn to the industry's strong family values, Matt provides tailored planning that preserves legacies and creates clarity for life after business. He’s also the host of Your Business, Your Life, a podcast offering insights to help owners align success with personal fulfillment.
Summary
It's never too early to start thinking about the next chapter of your life. Laura and Matt will to walk you through the process of defining what post shop life can look like including what your options are, what buyers are looking for and how to structure a deal. They can also help paint the picture of what needs to be done once a deal is closed.

How to Create and Achieve Your Post Shop Life (All-Access Pass)

9:00 AM -10:00 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Laura Gay - Founder of Consolidation Coach
    Laura Gay has been in the collision space for 34 years -- from insurance adjuster, to shop manager, to MSO shop owner, to successfully selling her own shops. Laura has become the #1 go-to sell-side advisor for independent collision repair shop owners. Laura writes for many body shop publication, has a podcast with BodyShop Business called “Consolidation Nation”, and is a supportive friend to the collision industry.
  • Matt DiFrancesco - CExPTM, CCA Principal/Financial Technician High Lift Financial
    Matt DiFrancesco is a Financial Advisor and Certified Exit Planner™ (CExP™) with over 20 years of experience helping family-owned businesses, especially in the collision repair industry, build multi-generational wealth and transition with purpose. Drawn to the industry's strong family values, Matt provides tailored planning that preserves legacies and creates clarity for life after business. He’s also the host of Your Business, Your Life, a podcast offering insights to help owners align success with personal fulfillment.
Summary
It's never too early to start thinking about the next chapter of your life. Laura and Matt will to walk you through the process of defining what post shop life can look like including what your options are, what buyers are looking for and how to structure a deal. They can also help paint the picture of what needs to be done once a deal is closed.

The New Right to Appraisal Law (Single Class Session)

9:00 AM -10:00 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunset
Speakers
  • Burl Richards - ABAT President
  • Robert McDorman - Auto Claim Specialists
Summary
ABAT had a major role in the passage of the Right to Appraisal Bill in Texas. Come learn more about RTA and what it means to ALL shops in Texas- Even if you don’t have customers who invoke their right to appraisal this class is for you!

The New Right to Appraisal Law (All-Access Pass)

9:00 AM -10:00 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunset
Speakers
  • Burl Richards - ABAT President
  • Robert McDorman - Auto Claim Specialists
Summary
ABAT had a major role in the passage of the Right to Appraisal Bill in Texas. Come learn more about RTA and what it means to ALL shops in Texas- Even if you don’t have customers who invoke their right to appraisal this class is for you!

Collision Advice Class- Title TBA (All-Access Pass)

9:00 AM -10:00 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Moonlight 1
Summary
Enjoy a dynamic class from one of Collision Advice's expert nationally recognized Speakers- class still being decided but we know it will be GREAT!

Overcoming Information Overload (All-Access Pass)

10:15 AM -11:15 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunset
Speakers
  • Kyle Motzkus
  • Danny Gredinberg
Summary
Addressing the growing challenge of information overload faced by today's collision repair pros. With the increasing complexity of vehicle technology, repair procedures, and data sources, efficiently managing information is crucial for accurate planning and ultimately, shop profitability.

Beat the Slowdown: Winning When Sales Are Down and Dominating the Comeback (All-Access Pass)

10:15 AM -11:15 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Taylor Moss
Summary
Every shop hits a slow patch—but the best use it to sharpen their edge. In this webinar, you’ll learn how smart shops are staying profitable during sales slumps by optimizing operations, increasing average RO, and investing in the systems that set them up to dominate when volume returns. Packed with real-world strategies, this session will help you shift from survival mode to making more money on the jobs in your shop—so you can start thriving more now and then dominate the comeback. (ALL-ACCESS PASS)

Overcoming Information Overload (Single Class Session)

10:15 AM -11:15 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunset
Speakers
  • Kyle Motzkus
  • Danny Gredinberg
Summary
Addressing the growing challenge of information overload faced by today's collision repair pros. With the increasing complexity of vehicle technology, repair procedures, and data sources, efficiently managing information is crucial for accurate planning and ultimately, shop profitability.

From Dent to Delivery: AI tools and Strategies to Reduce Cycle Time (Single Class Session)

10:15 AM -11:15 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Moonlight 1
Speakers
  • Tom Zobelein - Vaultoniq
Summary
In this comprehensive class, marketing Guru Tom Zobelein will share how to strategically introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your daily shop operations, covering every phase from initial client contact to the final stages of production. Through a systematic approach, attendees will gain insights into identifying appropriate AI tools, both free and subscription-based, to streamline processes, reduce manual labor, and enhance overall efficiency.

From Dent to Delivery: AI Tools and Strategies to Reduce Cycle Time (All-Access Pass)

10:15 AM -11:15 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Moonlight 1
Speakers
  • Tom Zobelein - Vaultoniq
Summary
In this comprehensive class, marketing Guru Tom Zobelein will share how to strategically introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) into your daily shop operations, covering every phase from initial client contact to the final stages of production. Through a systematic approach, attendees will gain insights into identifying appropriate AI tools, both free and subscription-based, to streamline processes, reduce manual labor, and enhance overall efficiency.

Beat the Slowdown: Winning When Sales Are Down and Dominating the Comeback (Single Class Session)

10:15 AM -11:15 AM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Taylor Moss
Summary
Every shop hits a slow patch—but the best use it to sharpen their edge. In this webinar, you’ll learn how smart shops are staying profitable during sales slumps by optimizing operations, increasing average RO, and investing in the systems that set them up to dominate when volume returns. Packed with real-world strategies, this session will help you shift from survival mode to making more money on the jobs in your shop—so you can start thriving more now and then dominate the comeback.

Beyond the Wreckage: Proactive Leadership, Better Communication, and Less Stress (Single Class Session)

11:30 AM -1:30 PM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Amy Pechacek - Alpstra Training Solutions
Summary
Tired of delays, miscommunication, and daily stress in your shop? In this impactful session, Amy Pechacek shows how proactive leadership, emotional intelligence, and clear communication can turn chaos into clarity. Learn practical strategies to streamline operations, boost morale, and build a team that takes ownership—so your shop runs smoothly and profitably.

Beyond the Wreckage: Proactive Leadership, Better Communication, and Less Stress (All-Access Pass)

11:30 AM -1:30 PM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Amy Pechacek - Alpstra Training Solutions
Summary
Tired of delays, miscommunication, and daily stress in your shop? In this impactful session, Amy Pechacek shows how proactive leadership, emotional intelligence, and clear communication can turn chaos into clarity. Learn practical strategies to streamline operations, boost morale, and build a team that takes ownership—so your shop runs smoothly and profitably. (ALL-ACCESS PASS)

The Industry Over a Pint: A Calibration Conversation (All-Access Pass)

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Tommy Ames
Summary
Our popular happy hour seminar is back! The topic: ADAS. To In-house or To out-source? That IS the question these days. And you may get different answers depending on who you talk to. It just goes to show you that there needs to be more transparency on the topic. Let's have an un-biased chat about it all. Over a pint, of course.

The Industry Over a Pint: A Calibration Conversation (Single Class Session)

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Fri. 9/12

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Darrell Smith - McDaniels Collision
  • Burl Richards - ABAT President
  • Frank Phillips - ADAS Solutions USA
  • Josh Cascanet - Airpro Diagnostics
Summary
Our popular happy hour seminar is back! The topic: ADAS. To In-house or To out-source? That IS the question these days. And you may get different answers depending on who you talk to. It just goes to show you that there needs to be more transparency on the topic. Let's have an un-biased chat about it all- you will hear from other shop owners what path they've chosen and why. Over a pint, of course. (ALL-ACCESS PASS)

Rise and Grind (Single Class Session)

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • OEM Breakfast Session
Summary
OEM representatives will share insights on expectations for safe, efficient repairs, scanning, and parts hot topics. Whether you're a shop owner, technician, or manager, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of where the industry is headed—and how to stay ahead.

Rise and Grind (All-Access Pass)

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • OEM Breakfast Session
Summary
OEM representatives will share insights on expectations for safe, efficient repairs, scanning, and parts hot topics. Whether you're a shop owner, technician, or manager, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of where the industry is headed—and how to stay ahead.

Ricardo Garcia TBA (All-Access Pass)

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight 1
Speakers
  • Ricardo Garcia
Summary
Spanish Class

Ricardo Garcia TBA (Single Class Session)

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight 1
Speakers
  • Ricardo Garcia - Uptown Automotive
Summary
Spanish Class

TBD Technician Class EN ESPANOL (Single Class Session)

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Car O Liner SW
Summary
Una Clase de espanol para Techinicos

TBD Techinician Class EN ESPANOL (All-Access Pass)

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Hector Flores - BASF
Summary
Una Clase de espanol para Techinicos

Building The Office Team You've Always Wanted (Single Class Session)

10:45 AM -12:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight 1
Speakers
  • Chuck Baldridge - Collision Center Director at Mike Calvert Toyota
Summary
Chuck Baldridge, Collision Center Director at Mike Calvert Toyota has built a tried-and-true guide to developing a training plan that will allow you to build estimators and customer service reps the way that you want them.

Building The Office Team You've Always Wanted (All-Access Pass)

10:45 AM -12:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight 1
Speakers
  • Chuck Baldridge - Collision Center Director at Mike Calvert Toyota
Summary
Chuck Baldridge, Collision Center Director at Mike Calvert Toyota has built a tried-and-true guide to developing a training plan that will allow you to build estimators and customer service reps the way that you want them. (ALL-ACCESS PASS)

Unlocking Repairability Beyond Traditional Repair Techniques (Single Class Session)

10:45 AM -12:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Danny Hacker - KECO
Summary
Unlocking Repairability are two words that define a method of dent repair beyond GPR or traditional push techniques. Explore how using multiple tools simultaneously create metal flow in panels once thought unrepairable. Get a deeper understanding of tab selection and pulling techniques when employing GPR. See in action with a hands on demonstration and videos.

Unlocking Repairability Beyond Traditional Repair Techniques (All-Access Pass)

10:45 AM -12:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Moonlight II
Speakers
  • Danny Hacker - KECO
Summary
Unlocking Repairability are two words that define a method of dent repair beyond GPR or traditional push techniques. Explore how using multiple tools simultaneously create metal flow in panels once thought unrepairable. Get a deeper understanding of tab selection and pulling techniques when employing GPR. See in action with a hands on demonstration and videos.

Growing the Future: A Conversation Between Future Technicians and Body Shops (Single Class Session)

10:45 AM -12:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Raven Luna - Professor at Collin County College, Allen, TX
Summary
Join the discussion on hiring the next generation of technicians. Current and former students and employers share their insights into hiring, retaining, and training new technicians.

Growing the Future: A Conversation Between Future Technicians and Body Shops (All-Access Pass)

10:45 AM -12:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Raven Luna - Professor at Collin County College, Allen, TX
Summary
Join the discussion on hiring the next generation of technicians. Current and former students and employers share their insights into hiring, retaining, and training new technicians.

Stay Humble, Stay Hungry (All-Access Pass)

12:30 PM -2:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Mike Anderson - Collision Advice

Stay Humble, Stay Hungry (Single Class Session)

12:30 PM -2:00 PM, Sat. 9/13

Location
Sunrise
Speakers
  • Mike Anderson - Collision Advice
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