First CarFixWorld

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 in Toronto, Ont.

Students who arrived on Friday, a day set aside specifically for them at the three-day event, also had the opportunity to take part in some entertaining and rewarding challenges.

St. Edmund Campion Catholic Secondary School, Brampton, Ont., was represented by 178 students, winning the Lexus vehicle offered by Toyota Canada to the school that brought the most students to the show.

Two students from Central Technical School in Toronto won the Pit Stop Challenge, in which two-person teams had to remove and install two tires. The winning time was 1 minute 52 seconds.

The industry agrees that bringing young minds into the rapidly evolving repair and collision fields is a priority. John Norris, executive director of Collision Industry Information and Assistance, says, “Young Canadians must see how dynamic the automotive industry is and be apprised of the excellent opportunities that await them in the field.”

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.

Leading names in the automotive industry delivered expert information in both open tutorial and private seminar formats on industry trends, technical matters, business management issues, and hot topics.

Dennis DesRosiers, Mike Cleary, Glenn McNally, Bob Greenwood, Craig Van Batenburg and Jay Perry were just some of the many prominent industry experts and trainers who delivered high-interest presentations.

On the celebrity side, DJ Kennington’s Castrol CASCAR and rig dominated the north end of the event while “Pimp My Ride” tech pros 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.

“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-LeNoury.

Jock Macrae, Ontario sales representative for Chicago Pneumatic, supports the inaugural CarFixWorld. “Anyone who didn’t attend CFW missed an opportunity. It’s the kind of event we need.”