ATA Trade Show and Collision Olympics

The Automotive Trades Association (ATA) Manitoba’s trade show and Collision Olympics took place on October 4, 2024, at Canad Inns Polo Park. This event invited participants to enjoy delicious food, win prizes, and connect with industry professionals.

The highlight of the day was the Collision Olympics, where industry members competed in a series of skills-based challenges. Koos Reineking, Vice President of Lift Auto Group, a part of the CSN Collision network, was in attendance, “The ATA Trade Show is one of the industry’s most well-attended events and we are always excited to catch up with fellow industry members, some who I have known for a long time.”

In the afternoon, groups of students showcased their skills as part of the Youth Attraction Effort, designed to introduce young people to career opportunities in the collision repair industry. Like many trades, collision repair faces challenges in attracting youth.

To inspire the 365 students in attendance, trade show booths highlighted various aspects of the industry, including calibration, software, dent repair, supply chain management, estimating, and painting. “We appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Youth Attraction Effort. We met many promising young people who we hope will consider a career in collision repair in the future,” said Koos Reineking.  

The event also garnered attention from Global News reporters, who engaged with vendors and students, sharing their experiences in this report: Manitoba students learn about jobs in automotive industry at trades show. Thank you to the ATA for hosting us; we’re already looking forward to next year!