A new element has been added to this year's International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) - the NACE Auto & Cycle Alley. Show attendees are invited to bring their personal show cars, trucks and motorcycles to be displayed in the NACE Exposition. Entries will be judged and awards given for "Best of Class" with a $2,000 award, and "Best of Show" and "Celebrity Pick" each receiving $3,000. 

Kottschade

The "Celebrity Pick" will be judged by a panel of experts led by Chip Foose, an "icon" in the world of auto painting and refinishing, and host of TLC's television program Overhaulin'.

"We are extremely excited about the Auto & Cycle Alley, as we're sure it will attract attendance and drive traffic throughout the Exposition all three days! It's the 'brain-child' of this year's Attendee Advisory Council - a group of industry professionals dedicating their time and energy to raising the bar and increasing the core value of NACE events," said Geralynn Kottschade, NACE 2006 Chairman and VP of Jerry's Body Shop in Mankato, Minnesota.

An exclusive display area will be designated on the show floor for the entered vehicles. Interested attendees should contact NACE Marketing Manager Pamela Miller for an Alley application. E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call toll free 888-536-1641 ext. 6318.

Online housing breaking records

Online housing is exceeding expectations and breaking recent records. The NACE 2006 housing block includes an all-star line-up of hotels including the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur Hotel & Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel & Casino and the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino.

Dana Teague, NACE senior show director stated, "Housing numbers are historically a good indicator for attendance. If this upward trend of housing continues throughout the next several months, we're looking at the potential for record attendance for the 2006 event."

NACE 2006 housing is currently 59% over the bookings at this time last year. All official hotels still have rooms available, but are definitely filling up quickly. Book your housing at www.NACEexpo.com. Travel Planners, the official travel service for NACE will assist attendees and exhibitors with all hotel, airline and car rentals - one-stop shopping for all travel needs.

NACE 2006 will be held November 1-4, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The educational Conference will run from November 1-4 (Wednesday-Saturday), and the Exposition will take place November 2-4 (Thursday-Saturday). The event will again be held during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), taking place that same week in Las Vegas.