With the 2026 trade show season fast approaching, award-winning garage owner and peer mentor Tim Benson is offering his professional advice to help fellow independent workshops maximise their time away from the garage.
Drawing on the real-world operational principles that helped Leominster-based Oldfields Garage secure seven major awards in just 18 months, Tim is sharing a 10-point blueprint designed to turn trade show attendance into a strategic business investment.
Tim, who continues to run his own garage business alongside his role with Oldfields Automotive Consulting, believes many workshops miss the full potential of these events by failing to plan effectively.
“A good event is not just a day out,” said Tim. “Done properly, it gives you ideas, energy, and actions you can bring straight back into the business. Whether you are a regular attendee or heading to your first show, having a strategy ensures you and your team come back with something useful.”
Over the past five years, Oldfields Garage has increased its average invoice value by 68% to £364, while maintaining an impressive five-year average Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 94. Tim says the same operational clarity that drives these results should also guide how garage owners approach trade events.
The advice follows a landmark 2025 for Oldfields Garage, which saw the business named ‘Top Garage’ for the second time in three years.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, and a big part of that is staying curious about new technology and better ways of working,” said Tim. “Taking the time to talk to manufacturers and peers at these events is how we stay at the forefront of the industry.”
After a decorated run that saw the business secure multiple national titles, Oldfields is temporarily stepping back from the awards circuit to focus fully on embedding its latest growth strategies and refining the ‘Oldfields Way’ for its consultancy partners.
For garages looking to raise standards, improve efficiency, or enhance customer experience, Tim Benson offers hands-on guidance through Oldfields Automotive Consulting. For more information, go to: https://www.oldfieldsconsult.co.uk/.
Tim’s Top 10 Tips for Trade Show Success
- Get there on time: Maximise your day. It can take time to get your bearings in a large venue.
- Make a plan: Note down the specific suppliers, people, or talks you want to see.
- Wear the right gear: Choose comfortable shoes and smart, branded clothing to represent your business.
- Don’t just stick with your group: Start conversations with new people to find the best value.
- Ask questions: Don’t just nod along; events are for learning, not for pretending you know it all.
- Split up to cover more ground: Divide your team so you can attend different talks and visit more stands simultaneously.
- Take notes: Write things down as you go, you will hear more than you can possibly remember.
- Keep an open mind: Stay curious. The best ideas often come from things you weren’t looking for.
- Talk to suppliers: A good conversation with a manufacturer can open doors to better support or new opportunities.
- Share what you learned: Create a simple action plan when you get back to the workshop to turn ideas into results.
