4.20.26 –   In an ever-changing industry, it’s important to grow with the times and AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show is no stranger to progress. For the first time in 2026, the NORTHEAST educational slate included sessions geared toward automotive mechanical repairer needs in addition to collision repair. This addition was not just well received, but it gave attendees a craving for even more industry growth within the annual show. These additional offerings opened NORTHEAST to a whole untapped section of the automotive industry, a movement AASP/NJ has been extremely invested in over the last few years.

“There has to be a first year for everything,” said AASP/NJ President Ken Miller. “We’ve been talking for quite some time about growing the mechanical sector of AASP/NJ, not only from increasing our mechanical membership but also ensuring we’re offering that segment of the industry value. At NORTHEAST 2026, we took our first big step toward making that happen.”

Ira Waldman and Tim Iezzi (ExperTech Automotive Training and Consulting) led “Fixing the No Start” and “Introduction to Module Programming” at NORTHEAST this March. Waldman expressed not only how happy he was to see the success of this development, but the pride he felt at being chosen to help usher in this new era. “I’m very honored they chose us to start out the mechanical classes,” he said. “We had great students and it was overall a great time. I would definitely like to come back next year for NORTHEAST and be involved going forward in helping the mechanical side of things progress.”

The mechanical offerings also included “Precision ADAS: Mastering Repair and Calibration” led by Chris Sobieski (Snap-On Equipment) and “TPMS and Alignment: Turning Two Overlooked Systems into Reliable Profit Centers” presented by Kenneth Pollin (NAPA).

Lucas Underwood also shook up NORTHEAST 2026, recording his Changing the Industry podcast with co-host David Roman right on the show floor all weekend long! As an auto repair shop owner himself, Underwood also had a lot to say about the success of the show as a whole and specifically the addition of mechanical courses.

“It’s a wonderful show,” Underwood expressed. “I travel all over the country to about 12 shows a year at a bare minimum. NORTHEAST is held in a great venue and the staff is phenomenal. The show’s expanded mechanical educational offerings are a great addition to a show that already is known for bringing in the best of the best educators. And now the show offers high quality, next level mechanical training to the NORTHEAST region’s automotive industry, which is something that area absolutely needs.”

With the success of this year’s mechanical course introduction, the sky is the limit as to what is next for the milestone of NORTHEAST’s 50th annual show in 2027.

“I really hope to see a massive mechanical showing next year,” Underwood added. “There are so many shops in the mechanical space within range of the show’s venue and I expect to see every single one of them there. We have to start educating the business owners in the mechanical space so they can run more profitable businesses. So many people bring up the technician shortage and this is the solution. We teach these shop owners how to run a business and how to treat their team well and NORTHEAST is the perfect stage for that.”

Miller also confirmed next year’s show will further open up opportunities for mechanical shops. “I think we had a great showing for a first year initiative. And members can expect next year to be even bigger and better. It’s a logical addition for the association. AASP/NJ has served both mechanical and collision shops over the years. It’s the right time to expand our show to offer all that it can to the mechanical sector.”

AASP/NJ’s 50th Annual NORTHEAST 2027 Automotive Services Show is scheduled for March 19, 20 and 21, 2027 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Be sure to visit aaspnjnortheast.com for details as they become available.

Be sure to check out the April issue of New Jersey Automotive available at grecopublishing.com for the full recap of NORTHEAST 2026!

Photo caption: Ira Waldman, ExperTech Automotive Training & Consulting