NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas – What are the most perplexing challenges facing collision and mechanical repair shop owners today – and, more importantly, how can they solve them?

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is bringing together shop owners, industry experts, OEM representatives and leading industry partners at the newly reimagined NACE/CARS on Sept. 29, 2026, at the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio to tackle those questions head-on.

Rather than traditional classroom presentations, NACE/CARS will feature eight interactive roundtable and small-group sessions designed to encourage candid conversations, problem-solving and practical takeaways that shop owners can put to work in their businesses.

“Shop owners are navigating unprecedented change on both the collision and mechanical sides of the industry,” said Dan Stander, chairman of ASA. “NACE/CARS is about bringing the right people together to talk openly about those challenges and, most importantly, identify solutions. We want attendees to leave with information, ideas and relationships that can help them run safer, stronger and more profitable businesses.”

The program addresses many of the issues reshaping automotive service and collision repair, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), increasingly complex OEM repair procedures, changing insurance and claims processes, artificial intelligence, government regulation and mounting profitability pressures.

The day will open with a panel discussion, “State of the Auto Collision and Repair Industry,” featuring nationally recognized collision industry authority Kristen Felder; Robert Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative; and shop owners discussing insurance negotiations, artificial intelligence and other major issues affecting repair businesses.

Following lunch, John Wilson of CBL Training and Consulting will present “AI Under the Hood: Understanding and Using AI as a Business Force Multiplier.” Wilson will examine how repair businesses can understand and effectively use AI, followed by an afternoon breakout session providing a deeper dive into the topic.

Additional interactive sessions will bring attendees face-to-face with experts representing OEMs and industry organizations and companies, including Honda, Subaru, Hunter Engineering, BASF, 3M, NCS and CCC.

Among the featured speakers is Loren Stowe of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), who will lead a Hunter Engineering-hosted discussion examining the regulatory process surrounding ADAS and automated driving systems, upcoming legislation and what those developments could mean for repairers.

Jason Scharton will serve as 3M’s special guest speaker, drawing on his collision industry relationships and experience to facilitate meaningful conversations surrounding industry standards and practices.

Nicholas Walker, wholesale marketing manager for American Honda, will also participate. Walker brings more than 17 years of automotive industry experience spanning parts, service, technical operations, wholesale marketing, collision repair network development and body shop certification programs.

The format reflects ASA’s goal for the new NACE/CARS: not simply telling repairers what is changing, but giving them an opportunity to sit down with experts and fellow shop owners and work through what those changes mean for their businesses.

Attendees will choose four of the eight interactive sessions. Registration also includes the opening session and keynote, a light breakfast, lunch and an evening reception.

NACE/CARS will be held Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hilton Palacio del Rio along the San Antonio River Walk. The event will be co-located with the CONNEX conference hosted by the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA).

For complete session information and registration, visit ASAshop.org. Registration is $395 for ASA members and $495 for nonmembers.

About the Automotive Service Association

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is the largest and oldest national organization committed to protecting the automotive repair industry with ONE VOICE. ASA is the only trade association whose board is comprised solely of collision and mechanical automotive repairers. Its members own and operate repair facilities responsible for the majority of post-warranty repair services in the United States. ASA advocates for the interests of its members and their customers in Washington, D.C., while providing education, resources and services that empower automotive repair professionals across the country.