Bananas, Booths, and Better Calibrations: Ape Auto Tools Takes on the SCC
What an incredible weekend! The Ape Auto Tools team recently returned from the Southeast Collision Conference (SCC), and we’re still buzzing from the energy on the floor. Hosted by the Carolinas Collision Association, the SCC is the premier gathering for collision repair professionals in the region, focusing on world-class education and the latest industry technology.
If you weren't able to make it, here’s a quick recap of our time in Charlotte and why it was one of our most successful shows yet.
The "Hidden Gem" in the Back Corner
We were tucked away in the back corner of the exhibit hall, but that didn't stop the crowds from finding us. In fact, our location became a bit of a destination! We spent the weekend standing out in front of our table, greeting everyone who walked by.
The real "star of the show" (besides our diagnostic equipment, of course) was our Ape Auto Tools squishy bananas. They were a massive hit with attendees! Whether they were being used as stress balls or just a fun souvenir, those bananas were flying off the table and helped us break the ice with hundreds of shop owners and technicians.
Meaningful Connections
Beyond the swag, the real value of the SCC was the people. We established a record number of new contacts this year, and the diversity of the conversations was inspiring:
- The Pros: We spoke with shops that already have extensive ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) experience and are looking for that next-level tool to sharpen their efficiency.
- The Beginners: We met many owners who are just looking to get started with in-house calibrations and needed a roadmap on where to begin.
- The Next Generation: It was great to see students from collision education programs who are eager to learn about the tech-heavy future of the industry.
One of the highlights was meeting a customer who had been actively looking for our booth because they received our marketing emails. They are currently in the process of bringing their ADAS work in-house and knew Ape Auto Tools was the partner they wanted. It was also great to hear "Oh, I recognize that name from my inbox!" from so many others.
Better Together: Ape Auto Tools + Vice ADAS
We weren't alone, our friends from Vice ADAS were also present. We had a great time working together, cross-referencing our services and sending potential customers to each other’s booths. In an industry as complex as collision repair, these kinds of partnerships are vital to ensuring shop owners get the full support they need.
Looking Ahead: Texas Bound!
The momentum doesn't stop here. The connections we made at SCC have already opened doors for future partnerships and collaborations.
We’re also excited to announce that we’ve already set our sights on our next big event: the Texas Auto Body Trade Show hosted by ABAT. If you’re in the Southwest, mark your calendars for September—we can’t wait to see you in Allen, Texas!
Thank you to the Carolinas Collision Association for putting on such a fantastic event. To everyone we met: thank you for stopping by, grabbing a banana, and chatting about the future of ADAS.
Missed us at the show? It’s not too late to start your ADAS journey. [Click here to browse our latest tools] or schedule a consultation!
