The reality is that now is a better time than ever to set your auto repair shop up for success, and even start laying the foundation for multi-shop growth. Especially for shop owners willing to take the time to embrace a new toolset: a modern shop management system.
In our latest Auto Repair Industry Index we took a look at recent industry trends across the country, compiled data from industry resources, and compared it to our Tekmetric data. What we found was really promising!
With a cloud-based SMS, shops can leverage amazing features like Default Inspections and Smart Jobs to not only simplify their workflows and smooth out their operations to run like a well-oiled machine but also set their business up for future growth and success.
1. Standardize Your Shops’ Workflow
Auto repair shops standardize their shop’s workflow as much as possible to free up time for your team to focus on the critical aspects of their job, like interacting with customers or completing repairs.
Features like Default Inspections are a simple way to create a uniform experience across your organization’s multiple locations.
In Tekmetric, default inspections automatically apply a standardized inspection template to every repair order service advisors create, letting them spend less time on the computer, and more time talking to customers.
2. Shared Customer History
Tekmetric Multi-Shop Shared Customer History allows users to connect customers across shops and view the history of those customers across all locations within their organization.
By linking customer data so that service writers have access to all past information, you can remind customers of that brake job they declined last time, or double-check on the status of that failing water pump your techs saw last time to create a personalized, yet uniform experience across all your shops.
3. Smart Jobs Will Revolutionize Your Shop
Your typical repair order may have one or more jobs packaged together, requiring a lot of clicking to find the right labor guides, the right parts, and the right markup matrices, over and over again. That's why we built Smart Jobs.
Smart Jobs is so powerful that it’ll revolutionize the speed and efficiency your shop works at.
With just one or two clicks, Smart Jobs will create a proper job, check inventory, pull in the right parts, prompt service advisors to purchase any missing parts, and automatically apply unique parameters to a job like fluid quality and amount based on engine type.
4. Unified Reporting For All Locations
As your shop expands, you’ll want to consistently and accurately track all of your numbers. Having the ability to track how much your shop has grown helps you hone in on the best direction for your business and course-correct to minimize any potential loss.
For example, if you notice that a large portion of your declined jobs are brake pad replacements, you can create a promotional campaign around brake pad replacements at one of your locations to see if the campaign effectively improved said location’s close ratio.
If it works, you can scale it across all locations. If it doesn’t work, you have the data you need to adjust.
5. Integrate With the Best Tools
By linking in other platforms, tools, or systems you're already using with your shop management system, owners and managers can create the ultimate platform that touches every part of their operations, building on top of the organization and core functionalities of managing your business.
For example, you can integrate with common parts vendors to simplify inventory management and parts ordering within one platform.
Or, if you're looking to expand your business, integrations let your shop bring in entirely new tools like all-in-one auto repair shop marketing platforms, or more traditional Customer Relationship Management tools, letting your shop set up automatic emails, reminders, or even offers for customers.
6. Continuous Support For Your Shop
We get that time is a huge reason a lot of shop owners don't want to make the change to a new shop management system. Learning how to use a new shop management system can be overwhelming.
That doesn't mean you should rule out the opportunity to upgrade your shop's tools and set yourself up for future growth. Our onboarding process is much more than just a setup wizard or a series of emails -- we'll get you ready to launch within your shop within 2 weeks!
Even better though, your support doesn't stop there. Not only do we have an industry-leading support team available at a minute's notice to work through any speed bumps you might run into, but Tekmetric is constantly being improved with new features and functions to help your great shop get even better.
Experience the Benefits of Tekmetric’s Automotive Repair Software
Are you a multi-shop owner who wants more visibility and alignment across locations? Are new shop locations in your future vision? Schedule a demo and see why more than 3,000 auto repair shops choose Tekmetric!
Looking for the best automotive industry conferences and events for 2026? This guide will help you navigate the most impactful automotive conferences and trade shows slated for 2026. We will dive into what makes each event unique, price, location, and more.
Key Automotive Conferences and Trade Shows
When it comes to elevating your auto repair business or career, knowing which events to prioritize is crucial. Each of these conventions offers a distinct experience, catering to different roles in the shop. Let's explore the big events you can’t miss in 2026.
1. Tektonic
What: Tektonic is a brand new automotive conference for 2026. Whether you're leading the business, managing the front desk, or turning wrenches in the bay, Tektonic offers tailored training to elevate your skills, connect with peers, and drive your career forward in a space built for you.
Come for the shop-tested fixes. Leave with the horsepower to hit top-gear growth. Tektonic is a three-day event built for every shop, no matter your size, brand, or business model. Expect industry-first content, with Tekmetric-backed know-how.
When: April 9-11th, 2026
Where: Marriott Marquis - Houston, TX
Cost: Standard pricing starting at $1,499. Use discount code: "TEK6CONF" to save $$$.
What: The SEMA Show offers an attendee experience like no other automotive trade show on the planet. It's the best place to see thousands of the newest automotive performance products from new and iconic exhibitors, discover the latest product and vehicle trends, and develop essential skills by attending any one of the 99+ free education sessions – all of which are led by top industry professionals.
The SEMA Show is the premier auto show geared to help small businesses thrive and succeed. The trade-only event enables automotive specialty equipment manufacturers to display alongside automotive manufacturers to debut new, innovative products and connect with industry buyers from all over the world.
When: November 3-6th, 2026
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center - Las Vegas, NV
What: Only AAPEX gives you the training, products, and insights to help you stay ahead today and prepare for tomorrow — all while you connect with the entire industry under one roof! Live, interactive demos. Expert-led business education. Our most robust training program yet. It’s all here to give you a jump on every new advancement and the knowledge to tackle your biggest challenges.
Where else can you come face-to-face with the world’s part suppliers showcasing innovations that give you an edge in the here and now — and global perspectives on where the industry is headed next? Spend three days at AAPEX Las Vegas and make sure you’re ready to steer your business toward success!
When: November 3-5th, 2026
Where: The Venetian Expo & Caesars Forum - Las Vegas, NV
What: NADA Show offers a full program of innovative products, emerging trends and networking opportunities. Four full days of outstanding education, emerging trends and networking opportunities for all areas of your dealership.
When: February 3-6th, 2026
Where: Las vegas Convention Center - Las Vegas, NV
What: The ASTA Expo is an annual event that brings together professionals from the automotive aftermarket industry for training, networking, and discovering the latest innovations. Anyone is welcome, including shop owners, managers, technicians, service writers, and anyone in the automotive service and tire industry looking to grow their knowledge, network, and business.
What: The annual Shop Hackers seminar provides owners and staff in the independent automotive repair and collision/body industries with: Top-tier knowledge, life-changing personal connections, actionable strategies, increased motivation, one unforgettable experience.
With over a thousand attendees, a large array of vendors, and world-renowned industry leaders, this auto conference is unlike any other in the industry. You may laugh, you may cry, you will eat well, and one thing is for sure — you will walk away changed for the better.
What: VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo, provides the opportunity for you to expand your knowledge and gain new skills, all while networking with leading automotive service industry professionals. Choose from more than 100 cutting-edge management, technical, and educator training courses. VISION also features a 60,000 square-foot exhibit hall showcasing the latest tools, equipment, and technology.
When: March 5-8th, 2026
Where: Overland Park Convention Center - Overland Park, KS
What: Learn how top-performing shop owners are navigating today’s economy and running more successful, profitable businesses. Our world-class speakers and informative sessions will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive.
SuperConference is not just about learning; it’s about community. Engage in interactive, team-building activities with the most supportive community of shop owners in the industry. Build relationships that will last a lifetime and grow your network with high-performing peers and professionals.
Now that we’ve explored some of the top 2026 events, let’s zoom out and consider the benefits of attending automotive conferences.
Networking opportunities
Imagine walking into a room filled with hundreds, even thousands, of people who share your passion, understand your challenges, and are dedicated to the same industry. That's the power of networking at automotive conferences. These aren't just casual conversations; they are opportunities for mentorship, partnerships, collaboration, and mutual growth.
Industry trends and insights
The automotive industry moves at lightning speed. What was cutting-edge last year might be standard this year, and obsolete next. Attending conferences gives you visibility into the future of auto repair. You’ll gain firsthand knowledge of the emerging trends and critical insights that will shape the industry for years to come.
Final thoughts
Finding the right automotive conference for you can be challenging but we hope this guide was helpful. Whether you are just starting your business or have spent your whole life fixing cars, there is an event for you.
We're happy to announce that our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction has been recognized! For Spring 2025, G2 has awarded Tekmetric with a range of badges, including Momentum Leader, Best Results, Best Usability, Most Implementable, and Grid Leader.
These awards reflect our customers' experiences and trust in Tekmetric, highlighting their role in our success.
What These Badges Mean
Momentum Leader: We're leading the pack, constantly evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the automotive industry.
Best Results & Best Usability: Tekmetric is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, helping you achieve the results you want.
Most Implementable: Change can be scary – That's why we've made it easy to get started and integrate with Tekmetric so you can hit the ground running.
Grid Leader: This badge showcases how our customers describe Tekmetric as the go-to solution for auto shop management.
Thank You to Our Customers
We couldn't have done it without our customers! Your feedback and support drive us to continually improve and deliver the best possible shop management experience. We're excited to continue this journey with you and can't wait to see what we accomplish together in the future. We'll continue to innovate, listen to your feedback, and provide the tools you need to run your shop.
Navigating the estimate and repair process starts with an automotive repair order form. And a manual process may create more work for your team. Your service advisors are trying to move everything along quickly and accurately, but they're human and mistakes do happen.
With a manual automotive repair order form process, it can be easy for service advisors to get lost in the hustle due to typos, illegible handwriting, or estimates saved in the wrong place.
You might also find that it’s difficult to guide your business with a manual estimate and repair order process because data collection can become an enormous challenge.
Using traditional automotive repair order forms is kind of like trying to navigate a road trip with a paper map: it can be easy to get lost in the process, and once you’re lost, it can be difficult to get back on track. Nowadays, paper maps are just one of our endless choices for navigation tools, and how many drivers still use them?
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)