Key Takeaways
- • The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) held the 2026 Collision Repair Expo (CRE) co-located with the Auto Aftermarket Expo from May 14–16, 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, positioning it as Australia's largest collision repair trade event.
- • The combined 2024 edition attracted a record attendance of over 13,000 participants, establishing a baseline for industry engagement across collision repair, refinish, body shop, and automotive aftermarket sectors spanning Australia, New Zealand, and beyond.
- • The event featured advanced ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) training, cutting-edge repair technology, live demonstrations including a Lowbake Spray Booth display, and world-class training delivered by global and domestic industry experts, targeting safety and efficiency in modern vehicle repair.
- • Free registration was offered to collision repair and automotive trade professionals including business owners, managers, repair technicians, and apprentices, reducing barriers to participation and knowledge transfer across the sector.
- • SAPE Group served as primary sponsor of the event, underscoring industry consolidation and supplier investment in professional development and networking infrastructure within Australia's automotive aftermarket ecosystem.
Summary
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) successfully executed the 2026 Collision Repair Expo (CRE), held May 14–16, 2026 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. Organized under the theme "Driving what's next," the event brought together collision repair, refinish, and body shop professionals across three days focused on connection, innovation, and commercial opportunity. AAAA chief executive Stuart Charity positioned the 2026 event as an evolution of the association's flagship offering, reinforcing its status as the must-attend sector gathering.
The event demonstrated significant scale relative to prior editions. The combined 2024 Collision Repair and Auto Aftermarket Expo attracted over 13,000 trade visitors, establishing a foundation of demonstrated market appetite. The 2026 iteration was structured to exceed this benchmark, drawing professionals from Australia, New Zealand, and international markets. SAPE Group's sponsorship underscored committed supplier engagement with the sector's professional development infrastructure.
Programming reflected industry priorities in vehicle repair modernization. A dedicated education track delivered advanced ADAS training, equipping workshop technicians with practical knowledge for safely servicing vehicles equipped with modern driver assistance systems—a critical competency gap as vehicle technology complexity increases. Exhibitors showcased body finishing materials, crash repair equipment, tools, and refinishing techniques designed for future-oriented operations. Live demonstrations, including a featured Lowbake Spray Booth display, provided hands-on exposure to industry-standard equipment and processes.
Free registration eligibility extended across professional levels—business owners, managers, repair technicians, and apprentices—reducing participation friction and facilitating cross-tier knowledge transfer. This accessibility model supports workforce development and retention within a sector facing skills challenges common to automotive trades. The co-location strategy with the broader Auto Aftermarket Expo expanded networking opportunities and created cross-selling environments for suppliers serving adjacent segments of the automotive service ecosystem.
The event demonstrated significant scale relative to prior editions. The combined 2024 Collision Repair and Auto Aftermarket Expo attracted over 13,000 trade visitors, establishing a foundation of demonstrated market appetite. The 2026 iteration was structured to exceed this benchmark, drawing professionals from Australia, New Zealand, and international markets. SAPE Group's sponsorship underscored committed supplier engagement with the sector's professional development infrastructure.
Programming reflected industry priorities in vehicle repair modernization. A dedicated education track delivered advanced ADAS training, equipping workshop technicians with practical knowledge for safely servicing vehicles equipped with modern driver assistance systems—a critical competency gap as vehicle technology complexity increases. Exhibitors showcased body finishing materials, crash repair equipment, tools, and refinishing techniques designed for future-oriented operations. Live demonstrations, including a featured Lowbake Spray Booth display, provided hands-on exposure to industry-standard equipment and processes.
Free registration eligibility extended across professional levels—business owners, managers, repair technicians, and apprentices—reducing participation friction and facilitating cross-tier knowledge transfer. This accessibility model supports workforce development and retention within a sector facing skills challenges common to automotive trades. The co-location strategy with the broader Auto Aftermarket Expo expanded networking opportunities and created cross-selling environments for suppliers serving adjacent segments of the automotive service ecosystem.
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