A new show will launch next year, looking to fill the gap left by the postponement of Automechanika Birmingham.
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event is being organised by Messe Frankfurt, and aims to restore large-scale networking events to the UK. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous show cancellations, but the new show will be dedicated to training, technology and tools for the garage and bodyshop sector.
The event will provide a focused opportunity for suppliers and their garage and bodyshop customers to engage, learn and facilitate progress, as we seek to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of the industry. It has been designed to meet market demand, after the organisers surveyed over 300 garages and consulted with suppliers. They identified the need for an event where suppliers can deliver training, product and technology expertise to a captivated, core audience through live demonstrations, technical seminars and high-value training.
Taking place on 8-9 June 2022 at the NEC Birmingham, the event will offer the exhibition of leading suppliers, three training hubs and three feature areas.
There will be live demonstrations and accredited training across three key areas: EV Hybrid, Workshop and Collision Repair, each offering technical seminars from industry experts covering ADAS, MOT, safety/service and repair, collision repair, diagnostics, plus more.
Feedback in the survey showed 78% of garages wanted to return to face-to-face events, and participants overwhelmingly supported the concept of a dedicated garage and bodyshop event to run in 2022.
The event has seen huge industry support with associations already supporting the event, including the Institute of Motoring Industry (IMI), Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), Society of Motoring Manufacturers (SMMT), Independent Garage Association (IGA), National Bodyshop Repair Association (NBRA), Hybrid Electric Vehicle Repair Association (HEVRA), and Automotive Bodyshop Professionals Club (ABP Club), to name a few.
“With arguably the biggest shift for the UK aftermarket happening here and now with the presence of ADAS and hybrid and EV technology, increased cybersecurity and access to in-vehicle data, a UK focused exhibition for garages and bodyshops is essential to keeping the industry connected and up to date,” commented Mark Field, CEO of the IAAF.
Simon Albert, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt UK, added: “The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will be the first national trade event for the aftermarket since 2019, offering the opportunity to engage with thousands of UK garages and bodyshops. We’re looking forward to bringing the aftermarket together again.”
Other features for visitors to benefit from include a best-in-class, modern garage workshop to showcase the latest infrastructure and equipment and tools, to inform business planning and investment priorities.
There will also be a take-home training guide folder for visitors to collate their training library and options from each training hub, stand and feature.
In addition, there will be a Garage Equipment Showcase of products from garage equipment suppliers, and an inaugural summer networking event hosted by the IAAF.
Tickets will be available at www.garage-and-bodyshop-event.uk.messefrankfurt.com/
