AKRON, Ohio -- Nearly two dozen companies have signed on to exhibit at the BodyShop Business Conference – Succeeding Through Change trade show taking place May 5 at the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Ill., and the list is expected to grow.

The all-day trade show featuring the latest products and equipment for the industry is free to attend for all area collision repairers. Area vo-tech schools have also been invited to join in the free trade show.

Companies exhibiting at this year's BodyShop Business Conference trade show run the gamut from paint to body parts, spray booths to spray guns, and everything in between.

Companies sponsoring the trade show that will feature their latest product offerings at the free May 5 event include:

• BASF
• Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes
• Transtar Autobody Technologies

Other companies slated to exhibit at the trade show include:

• Accudraft (SAIMA)
• Brooklyn Progressive Auto Paint Group
• Col-Met Spray Booths
• DuPont
• Global Finishing Solutions
• Island Clean Air
• Killer Tools
• Matrix System Automotive Finishes
• Mitchell
• Urethane Supply Co.
• Light-Up Customs/Gator Glass
• LKQ Corp.
• Pro Tools
• SATA Spray Equipment
• Spray-Tech
• Total Automotive, Inc.
• Valspar
• Wanda
• Induction Innovations

The trade show will be held Thursday, May 5 at the Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 East Main St., St. Charles, Ill. Admittance is free for all collision repairers and area vo-tech students and teachers.

In addition to the free-to-attend show, shops can opt to register for a full day of seminars for just $129. Right now, the growing list of conference speakers and topics includes:

• Legal Rights: Erica Eversman, JD, Vehicle Information Services
• Lean Concepts: John Sweigart, The Body Shop @ and BodyShop Business contributing editor
• Demystifying 6H: Erin Conley, Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program
• Social Media and Search Engine Optimization: Mark Claypool, Optima Worldwide
• Waterborne/Low-VOC Panel Discussion: moderated by Mark Clark
• Waterborne/Low-VOC Training
• Insurer Relations: Dan Risley, Allstate
• Low VOC 101 – How Did We Get Here?: Mark Clark, Professional PBE Systems
• Environmental Compliance: Dan Heinen, Illinois OSHA

To register to attend conference seminars or for more information about the conference, click HERE.

For more information about attending or exhibiting at the conference, call (330) 670-1234 ext. 227.

More event details will be released in the coming weeks — stay tuned!