For the first time, the Automechanika trade show and training event was held in Chicago. Organizers were pleased with the turnout and participation.
The show, which ran April 24 through April 26, welcomed more than 450 vendors and featured multiple demonstration stages at McCormick Place West. Additionally more than 100 training seminars took place throughout all three days of the event.
“We’re going to continue to build on that and continue to make it even bigger,” said Jim Savas of Advanstar Communications, which partnered with Messe Frankfurt to organize the trade show.
He said more than 10,000 people registered to attend the show, but a final count had not been conducted yet.
Attendees were able to download a mobile app in order to provide their opinions of the show. According to Savas, the response was very positive.
“They’re downloading the app, and that’s where they’re doing the surveys. So we’re going to crunch all that data,” Savas said. “But general feedback has been that it’s the best training they’ve ever been to.”
Professional Tool and Equipment News magazine hosted a “Tool Roundtable” Friday and Saturday, featuring a panel of expert technicians and shop owners who shared their experience and offered advice to those in attendance. Shop owners and techs had the opportunity to discuss the tools and equipment that keep their shops running efficiently.
In addition to tools being displayed at the product innovation showcase and in individual booths, demonstration stages put a spotlight on a variety of tools and an interactive paint booth allowed hands-on experience.
“This is the first time that’s there have been a fully functional paint booth on the show floor,” Savas said. “That took a lot of work to make that happen.
“We’re all kind of proud of that because it was pretty cool for a show feature.”
An appearance by television star Jessi Combs at the CRC Industries booth and a Technician Challenge conducted by OTC/Bosch Automotive Service Solutions added to the excitement as well as receptions an opening night reception at Navy Pier.
There was an International Night reception Saturday as well, allowing people from all over the world to network.
“Maybe 30 percent of the show is international. Again, it gives something that’s different than any other show that’s in the U.S.,” Savas said. “Besides the shop owners and technicians’ focus, which is the sweet spot, they also have the ability to have product discovery globally.”
The show will return to the United States in 2017, and organizers hope that this year’s attendees had a positive experience so that the event continues to grow.
Savas said he hopes that attendees left the show, knowing the focus was on them, adding “We really want this to be a rallying point every two years for the shop owners and technicians, (so they) feel like they have to come here or they’re not plugged in to their audience or to their peers.”
