The 2026 ASTA Expo may be in the books, but the momentum isn’t slowing down. With approximately 1,100 attendees per day, an expanded trade show floor, new networking opportunities, and a “Survivor”-inspired theme, this year’s event brought the automotive service community together for education, connection, and a little competition.

For ASTA Executive Director Ryan Ragan, the success of the expo came down to something bigger than attendance numbers or event logistics.

“ASTA Expo has never been about simply putting people in a building for a few days. It is about bringing this industry together in a way that creates real value," Ragan says. "When you see classrooms full, conversations happening throughout the trade show floor, relationships being built and people still connecting long after the scheduled day has ended, you realize what makes this event special.”

Ratchet+Wrench: Now that the 2026 ASTA Expo is in the books, how many attendees did you ultimately have, and how did that compare with your expectations and/or previous years?

We welcomed approximately 1,100 attendees per day at the 2026 ASTA Expo, which was right in line with our expectations and consistent with what we have seen in previous years. What excites us most is the momentum we are already seeing for 2027. Based on the feedback we received throughout the expo and immediately afterward, we anticipate another jump in registration next year. People were already talking about coming back before this year’s event was even over.

RW: How would you describe the overall vibe of this year’s expo? What did you notice about the energy, engagement, and interaction among attendees, exhibitors, and speakers?

The overall vibe was phenomenal. There was an energy throughout the entire event that was hard to miss. People were engaged in the classrooms, spending time on the trade show floor, building relationships during the networking events, and genuinely enjoying being together.

No event of this size happens without a hiccup here or there, but the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We chase perfection knowing we will never fully achieve it because that pursuit pushes us toward excellence. We are always looking at what worked, what could be better, and how we can raise the bar again.

RW: What feedback did you hear most often from attendees during and after the event? Were there any comments or takeaways that particularly stood out to you?

Networking was probably the biggest thing we heard about. People truly valued having opportunities to connect with others in the industry outside of a classroom or traditional trade show environment.

We also had an incredible number of people tell us this was the best show they had ever attended and that they were already planning to come back next year. That means a tremendous amount to us because our goal is not simply to put on an event. We want to create an experience where people learn, build meaningful relationships, and leave feeling like their time was genuinely well spent.

RW: This year brought several changes, including the expanded trade show floor, Owner-Only Trade Show and Dinner, new pre-party, and extended Saturday trade show hours. Which of those changes worked particularly well?

Expanding the trade show was a huge success. We went from approximately 56,000 square feet to 112,000 square feet, which allowed us to welcome more vendors while also creating wider aisles and significantly more room for attendees to comfortably move through the show.

The courtyard became a major gathering point, and we heard repeatedly how much people enjoyed that space and the overall layout of the expanded floor. The Owner-Only Trade Show was another important addition because it created dedicated time for exhibitors to connect directly with owners and decision-makers. Overall, the additional space gave us the opportunity to make the trade show feel bigger without making it feel crowded.

RW: Were there any new elements or changes that didn’t work as well as you hoped, or that you already know you would approach differently next year?

One area we are looking closely at is our pop-up classes. We experimented with smaller pop-up sessions featuring some major influencers and voices in the industry. While there were positive aspects, the format did not resonate quite as strongly as we had hoped.

Rather than simply eliminating the concept, we see an opportunity to rethink it. We are exploring how these could become more of an elite, VIP-style educational experience, with classes capped at approximately 20 participants. A smaller, more exclusive environment could allow for deeper conversations, more interaction with the instructor, and an experience attendees cannot get in a traditional classroom.

RW: What did you learn from this year’s expo that you think will influence how ASTA plans the event going forward?

This year reinforced just how important networking is to our attendees. Education will always be at the heart of ASTA Expo, but people also want opportunities to meet each other, exchange ideas, build relationships, and spend time together.

Our Hospitality Suite is a great example. We have learned that the way ASTA approaches hospitality and after-hours networking is something people really value. Those conversations at the end of the day can turn into friendships, business relationships, mentorships, and opportunities that continue long after everyone goes home.

Moving forward, we want to continue creating more intentional opportunities for people to meet, connect, and grow. That sense of community is a huge part of what makes ASTA Expo different.

RW: Was there anything you saw on the trade show floor, in the education sessions, or during the networking events that surprised you, whether it was a particular topic, technology, exhibitor response, or attendee interest?

The biggest thing that stood out was just how much people wanted to connect. You could see it everywhere. Conversations continued after classes ended, attendees spent meaningful time talking with exhibitors instead of simply walking past booths, and people stayed engaged well into our evening networking events.

It reinforced something important for us: People are not coming to ASTA Expo simply to sit in a classroom or walk a trade show floor. They are coming to be part of the automotive service community. They want to learn from each other, build relationships, and surround themselves with people who understand their businesses and their industry. Seeing how strongly attendees embraced those opportunities was one of the most exciting takeaways from this year.

RW: What are you hearing from exhibitors? Did they feel the expanded floor and additional opportunities to connect with shop owners and other attendees delivered what they were looking for?

Overall, the exhibitor feedback has been incredible. The expanded floor, wider aisles, and additional space created a much more comfortable environment for conversations and demonstrations. The Owner-Only Trade Show also gave exhibitors dedicated time to connect with owners and decision-makers, which was something many of them valued.

Our exhibitors have also been very willing to provide constructive feedback, and we welcome it. We want to know what we can do better because their experience matters just as much as the attendee experience. Many exhibitors have already rebooked for 2027, which is exciting to see so soon after this year’s expo.

RW: As you look ahead to the 2027 ASTA Expo, what can attendees expect to see carried forward, changed, or added based on what you learned this year?

We are incredibly excited about 2027. Attendees can expect the things that have become foundational to ASTA Expo to continue: top-notch education, meaningful networking opportunities, a strong trade show, and an environment built around connecting the automotive service industry.

At the same time, we are already looking at ways to improve the experience, including adjustments to food and beverage options and continuing to refine the flow of the event based on attendee and exhibitor feedback.

And, of course, ASTA Expo would not be ASTA Expo without having some fun with the theme. We will just say this for now: Bring your saddle and get ready to pony up. 2027 is going to have a little more horsepower.

RW: If you could make one improvement to the 2027 Expo based on attendee and exhibitor feedback from this year, what would it be, and why?

It would be difficult for us to name only one because we do not believe an event like ASTA Expo should ever be treated as one-size-fits-all. Our attendees, exhibitors, instructors, and partners all experience the expo differently, and their feedback is one of the most valuable tools we have when planning the next one.

Our focus for 2027 is taking everything we learned this year and continuing to customize and refine the experience. That means looking at everything from food and beverage to education formats, networking opportunities, trade show flow, and the smaller details that affect someone’s experience.

At the end of the day, ASTA Expo is about people. The classrooms, booths, and events are important, but the people who fill those spaces are what make the expo what it is. We want every decision we make for 2027 to reflect that.

Callie Johnson, Membership & Events Manager, Automotive Service & Tire Alliance (ASTA), summed up the experience this way:

“There is something incredibly special about watching an event you have poured so much into come to life, but the best part is realizing that it becomes so much bigger than the event itself. Everywhere I looked, people were learning together, introducing themselves, reconnecting, sharing ideas, and building relationships. Those are the moments that stay with me. We want ASTA Expo to be a place where people feel like they belong, where they are challenged to grow, and where the connections they make continue long after they go home. Seeing that happen this year was incredibly rewarding, and it makes me even more excited about what we can create together in 2027!”