By Christopher Ray, Dentless Touch

Mobile Tech Expo is the holy grail of events for automotive techs in the fields of detailing, paintless dent repair, glass repair and more! It is the most anticipated trade show of the year for the automotive industry. It is a melting pot of business owners, technicians, veterans and newcomers alike. This is the ideal time to network with others in the industry. The Expo offers a lot in a short amount of time and I’ll give you my top 3 reasons why you should attend the Las Vegas show!

The educational day is so informative and has grown to be my favorite. In the past, I did not attend the lectures, but now it is something I look forward to. Ten different classes are offered in one day. These classes are broken down into five categories: Business, IDA Detailing, Marketing, PDR and Products. Time is limited, so I encourage you to choose wisely so you can sit in two or three classes. This year, I am personally looking forward to the “Social Marketing Through Branding” class. This Expo is like no other; it is a one-stop shop and even gives detailers the opportunity to obtain certifications!

Tools are way more costly than when I started out over 10 years ago. This reason alone is why I suggest you attend to take full advantage of the discounts most vendors offer during the Expo. I usually purchase my tools for the year, which helps my pockets tremendously. Tool manufacturers from all over the country come and set up booths displaying their products, sometimes even new releases.

This is the perfect time to test out the tool you have been interested in and ask the vendor questions. I love meeting the manufacturers that have created the tools that make my job easier (or sometimes more complicated, lol). I get to share stories with them on how their tool was helpful on a repair or even suggestions for new ones. 

Lastly, this Expo is beneficial for each participant because the camaraderie and networking are unlike any other experience. I have gone every year, and it has helped me in so many ways. You learn so much from others and share stories that will help you in the future.

I have met guys and established relationships with them that I can call if hail hits and I need help. MTE has done a wonderful job creating a lively culture for its participants. You get to put faces with names of people from Facebook and Instagram. The connections I’ve made over the years alone will keep me as a repeating participant!