First CarFixWorld brings the industry together in Toronto


More than one hundred exhibits, a  powerful roster of experts and special guests, great contests and a sea of young people learning about the automotive industry  contributed to the success of the first edition of CarFixWORLD held recently in Toronto.




Our own Debbie Grady had some great photo opportunities!


From the moment the ribbon was cut on Friday, September 30, it was  apparent that CarFixWORLD meets an important need in the auto service and collision repair industries. A sea of students, who had come by bus from as far away as Kingston, ON and Windsor, ON, flooded the show floor  instantly establishing the event as an industry institution. The  students were followed by a strong showing of registered shop owners  and technicians who spent time with individual exhibitors while  taking time from their rounds to attend the extensive schedule of  technical and business seminars that were part of the three-day event.



Everybody loves slot car racing


Industry Speakers
The seating was full all weekend as many of the leading names in the  automotive industry delivered expert information on industry trends,  technical matters, business management issues and hot topics such as  the impact of hybrid vehicles on the repair and collision industries.  Dennis DesRosiers, Mike Cleary, Glenn McNally, Bob Greenwood, Craig Van Batenburg and Jay Perry are just some of the many prominent  industry experts and senior trainers who delivered high-interest  presentations.



The Next generation checks out the latest hybrid technology

Celebrities
DJ Kennington’s Castrol CASCAR car and huge rig dominated the north  end of the event while Pimp My Ride tech guys Alex Pico and ‘Q’ had  autograph seekers lined up along the aisles. Courtney Hansen from  Overhaulin’ and the technical team from Pinks proved to be popular  personalities with the car-loving crowd.




Pimp My Ride tech guys Alex Pico and ‘Q’

Attendance
Total attendance for the three-day event was just under 5,000. “We  would certainly have welcomed more attendance, but for a brand new  event, this gives us a very good foundation to build from,” notes  show manager Carol Bell.

Young people learn the fine art of tire changers . . .


. . . and balancers


Exhibitors
Over 100 trade exhibitors took part in the three-day event showcasing  tools, workshop gear, paints and chemicals, analyzers and instruments  and even racing gear.  Typical is Jock Macrae, Ontario sales representative for Chicago Pneumatic who describes the inaugural  CarFixWORLD as a fantastic show for his company. “Anyone who  didn’t attend CFW missed an opportunity. It’s the kind of event we need.”

CASCAR was there too

Prizes
St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School (Brampton, ON) was  represented by 178 students, and will receive the Lexus vehicle  offered by Toyota Canada to the school that brought the most students  to the show. Two students from Central Technical School (Toronto) won the Pit Stop  Challenge, in which two-person teams had to remove and install two  tires. The winning time was 1:52 min. The winner of the Ausen Downdraft Spray Booth from Bodyshop Magazine and CarFixWORLD is Randy Weber of Walkerton Collision, RR3 Walkerton,  ON.




Future bodyshop worker?

Students and Apprentices
The industry agrees that bringing young minds into the rapidly  evolving repair and collision fields is a priority.  With more than 2,600 students seeing professional equipment, taking part in the Pit-Stop Challenge and meeting potential employers in the interview alley, John Norris, Executive Director of Collision Industry Information and Assistance who oversaw programming for CFW feels more  such events are urgently needed. “Young Canadians must see how  dynamic the automotive industry is and be apprised of the excellent  opportunities that await them in the field. “



Just one of the many amazing displays

Next Year
Plans are already underway for adding to a successful debut.  “CarFixWORLD was a significant investment for Business Information  Group,” says Carol Bell-LeNoury, manager of the event. “The positive  feedback from exhibitors and those who attended make it very clear  that commitment to the auto repair and collision industries is  extremely appreciated.”

Special thanks to Debbie Grady for the great photos!