Gorinchem – Anyone who walked the Auto Prof exhibition floor at the last edition noticed it: collision repair was present, but not yet with the strength and visibility the profession deserves. That will change in 2026: a collision repair hub packed with live demos, Skills Heroes Powered-By finals, and a comprehensive knowledge program designed to propel the industry forward. On January 27, 28, and 29, collision repair takes center stage, showing that forward-thinking and investment truly pay off.
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Collision Repair Zone & Live Demonstrations
Prominently located on the exhibition floor, the Collision Repair Hub will rise as a vibrant meeting point where knowledge, expertise, and curiosity come together. Visitors can discover the latest techniques and experience how the profession evolves in practice. With exhibitors such as Autoschadeherstel Academy, Sunmight Europe B.V., MSH Equipment, CLEVER DiagnostiX, Alliance Automotive Group Benelux this hub becomes the go-to place for anyone looking to experience, learn about, and do business in collision repair.
The beating heart of this hub is the Demo Area, where live demonstrations showcase how innovative products and methods work faster, smarter, and more sustainably. Polishing, painting, repairing, coating—professional techniques at their finest, right before your eyes.
Want to showcase your products and services in collision repair?
👉 Get in touch with Joost Both at Joost.both@easyfairs.com or request a no-obligation quote
Skills Heroes Powered-By Finals: Where the Future Comes to Life
One of the standout program highlights this year is the finals of the Skills Heroes Powered-By competitions in Auto Painting and Collision Repair. At the 2025 edition, Gabriëlla Lima David (Auto Painting) and Finn de Bruyn (Collision Repair) already demonstrated that young talent carries the profession with pride and enthusiasm.
Second- and third-year vocational students from a total of eleven different schools take part in these exciting competitions. The contest consists of a preliminary round and a national final. The preliminaries are organized by the schools themselves—sometimes on campus, sometimes in an external workshop, or even as an individual assignment at the training company. This year, the grand national final will be held right on the Auto Prof exhibition floor!
The finals showcase just how versatile and future-focused collision repair is.
- Auto Painting focuses on technique and creativity: from carefully preparing the surface to mixing and applying paint, all with attention to detail and independence.
- Collision Repair, on the other hand, requires a broad range of skills: disassembly, dent removal, welding, and reassembly, combined with modern tasks such as digital diagnostics and vehicle calibration.
“We consider it very important that the collision repair profession receives more attention both at the exhibition and among young people, because attracting young talent is crucial. We have a complete collision repair setup, including a spray booth, to promote our craft and to let the national finalists compete for the national title.” – Mathijs Van Leeuwen, Autoschadeherstel Academy
For visitors, this is the chance to see up close how the next generation of professionals is shaping the future of the industry. Young talent working with pride, dedication, and courage on the collision repair craft of tomorrow.
Collision Repair Learning Zone: Expand Your Skills
If you want to be prepared for the future, continuous personal and professional development is essential. That’s why, alongside hands-on experiences and activities, there’s plenty of room for knowledge sharing. Auto Prof’s knowledge domes have long been a valuable source of inspiration and insight, and for the first time, collision repair is fully represented in the Autoschadeherstel Academy Knowledge Dome.
With five daily knowledge sessions fully dedicated to collision repair, Auto Prof is the place for professionals to dive deep. Industry experts share their insights on current topics, ranging from new repair techniques and material innovations to digitalization and sustainability. A unique opportunity to learn and experience the future of the profession.
Join Auto Prof 2026?
With the Collision Repair Hub, the Skills Heroes Finals, and the Autoschadeherstel Academy Knowledge Dome, it’s clear: collision repair is no longer a side act, but one of the pillars of Auto Prof 2026. Want to be visible where the action is? Benefit from continuous traffic around demos and finals. Contact Joost Both at Joost.both@easyfairs.com.
