March 30-April 1 witnessed the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA) host its 27^th annual Convention & Trade Show.

Taking place at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites, it featured keynote and information sessions as well as an on-site trade show, silent auction and plenty of networking opportunities.

In an interview with Collision Management, OARA President Steve Fletcher said that the event has transitioned into almost being a national show with well over 300 registered attendees on an annual basis.

“We have people from PEI, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Alberta, Manitoba and B.C. attending, as well as the U.S.,” he said.

“This is the biggest trade show we’ve ever had at 60 spaces,” he added and “we had to stop promoting it because we were turning vendors away.”

Whereas the show used to be an auto recyclers event that saw different people and recycling businesses come together, today, it focuses on the entire supply chain, from specialty equipment vendors and buyers, to core buyers, insurance companies, salvage operations, auction houses and of course recyclers. “It’s no longer an auto recyclers show,” said Fletcher, “but a show about auto recycling.” [wds id=”527″]