Gene gives a recap of how the Cam Auto competition went for him, he talks about the hail expo, and goes over his tool haul from the weekend.

Gene and Danny give you a day by day, play by play from the competition .

An audio only episode today. Gene talks about a couple tools he forgot to mention in the last episode. The Get A Grip with 82" umbrella and the JVF big glue gun. We also cover updates on how things are going, the end of chaos, a new "Dylann", dealing with different types of hail storms and what Gene is thinking about the upcoming GPR PDR competition at Cam Auto!

🎙️ Episode 38: Tool Talk & Big Events on the Horizon – Mid-Season Check-In

In Episode 38 of The All Access Podcast, Gene Fetty is back with a laid-back but valuable solo episode packed with gear talk, event previews, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening mid-season at the Automotive Appearance Institute.

Gene kicks things off with updates on two major events:

Hail Expo in St. Louis (July 18–19): A free-to-attend event featuring a full lineup of speakers, tool companies, and networking opportunities. Reserve your spot at www.hailexpo.com.

GPR/PDR Competition at CamAuto in Montreal (July 11–13): Gene is headed north to compete and judge in this prestigious glue pull event, and he shares both his excitement and nerves.

From there, it’s a gear-focused deep dive:

Gene walks through some of the tools he’s been testing in the shop and during training, including standouts and setups he’s prepping for upcoming live streams.

He tests a new overhead camera system, giving listeners a preview of the live stream capabilities for Hail Expo.

Throughout the episode, Gene reflects on the evolution of his tool cart, what stays, what gets retired, and how tools impact teaching and real-world results.

Whether you’re tuning in for tool talk, event updates, or just want a genuine mid-season pulse check from one of the industry’s top educators, this episode has something for you.

📍 Links mentioned:

🎟️ www.hailexpo.com – Reserve your free ticket

🛠️ www.camautopro.com – Learn more about the GPR competition

🎥 Visit the Automotive Appearance Institute YouTube channel for the video version of this episode

All Access Podcast by the Auto Appearance Institute

Host: Gene Fetty
Guests: Noah from DentOps, Ryan Hampton

🔗 Visit www.hailexpo.com for full event info and updates!

In this special live edition, Gene Fetty is joined by co-organizers Noah (DentOps) and Ryan Hampton to bring you the inside scoop on the return of the Hail Expo for 2025.
This is the event that’s reigniting the industry conversation around collaboration, education, and innovation in hail repair.

[0:00] Welcome & Why We’re Live
First-ever live recording for the podcast — bringing fresh energy and real-time engagement.

[3:00] The History of the Hail Expo
Ryan shares how the idea was born from early technician meetings and events during his time running a hail company in St. Louis.

[6:45] Why Bring It Back Now?
Discussion on the need for industry connection post-COVID and the new energy in hail-focused PDR.

[12:00] What to Expect at the 2025 Hail Expo
Details on the layout, training sessions, networking, and tool showcases.

[19:30] Who This Event Is For
PDR techs, hail chasers, body shops, tool companies, and newcomers — everyone has a place at Hail Expo.

[25:00] Building Community in the Industry
A heartfelt conversation on supporting each other, learning together, and lifting the standard of professionalism.

Organizers: DentOps, Auto Appearance Institute, Ryan Hampton

Purpose: Bring together top techs, trainers, and tool vendors for a focused, impactful hail-specific experience.

Location & Date Info: Head over to www.hailexpo.com for everything you need.

The Hail Expo isn’t just an event — it’s a revival of what makes this community great.

Whether you’ve been chasing hail for years or just starting, this is your event.

You’ll leave better trained, better connected, and more fired up about your business.

In this episode of the All Access Podcast from the Automotive Appearance Institute, Gene Fetty opens up about navigating burnout, the chaos of unexpected hail storms, and the daily grind of running a business when the workload ramps up — but not quite enough to fully scale.

Gene reflects on:

The recent Pittsburgh hail storm and how it affected the local repair scene

How to manage your workflow and mindset during "almost busy" hail events

The physical and emotional toll that comes with running both a repair shop and a training organization

The importance of staying consistent, even when motivation is low

A reminder to all techs and shop owners: you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed

🔥 Whether you're a seasoned PDR tech or just starting out, this episode offers an honest look behind the scenes of the industry.

🎙️ Episode #33 – LIVE from Anson Open House 2025: Tools, Tech, and the Power of Community

We're coming to you straight from the heart of Burleson, Texas, for the legendary Anson Open House 2025! This episode is packed with interviews, product reveals, and insider insights from some of the most respected names in the PDR industry.

💥 We kick off with Christina Seckinger—aka “Miss Anson” herself—on the origins and growth of the open house and a teaser for Anson’s 30th anniversary bash next year.

🔧 Next up, Gene chats with Danny Hacker at the new L2E Premium setup from KECO. From advanced knockdown tools to lateral tension systems and organized drawer layouts, they break down everything you need for next-level glue pull repair.

📱 Eric Garves, founder of Mobile Tech Rx, reveals two powerful new integrations coming soon: Zapier (automation magic!) and BlueDriver OBD-II scanning—both designed to make estimating, diagnostics, and customer communication easier and more efficient.

🛠️ Nick from Dent Vision Tools introduces the innovative new Stormbreaker Slide Hammer, designed to reduce technician fatigue with shock absorption and linear polymer bearings—all at a perfect mid-weight feel.

⚡ Finally, we dive into the Shrinky Box SV4 with Keith Cosentino from Black Plague PDR. Keith demos the system live, explains best practices, and previews what’s coming at the Advanced Skills Seminar this October—featuring elite trainers like Bryce Kelly, Zan Vidic, and international guest Jay Ma.

🎓 Want more education? Explore our entire course catalog at AutoAppearanceInstitute.com and follow us on socials @autoappearanceinstitute.

Vendors featured in this episode:

Anson PDR

Black Plague PDR

KECO Tabs

Mobile Tech Rx

Auto Appearance Institute

🎙️ Episode 32 – Don’t Sell. Educate. The Price War You Can’t Win
📍 All Access Podcast | Automotive Appearance Institute

Gene’s back for Episode 32, and even though it’s been one hell of a week (hailstorm chaos, back-to-back glue pull trainings, and a packed schedule), the streak of weekly shows stays alive. 💪

This episode is all about flipping the script when it comes to customer conversations. Are you tired of hearing, “How much to pop this dent out?” You’re not alone. But here’s the truth: the real problem isn’t the customer — it’s what they don’t know.

Inspired by the powerful book They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan, Gene dives into how switching from a “look at me” approach to a value-driven educational strategy can elevate your brand, pre-sell your customers, and remove price from the conversation altogether.

You’ll hear:

Why competing on price is a race to the bottom

How to become the authority in your market with educational content

Real examples from Gene’s own shop that prove the power of content

Smart ways to turn FAQs into video, blog, and social content

Tools and tips to make creating that content easy (even if you’re just starting)

Plus upcoming events like the Anson Open House, Hail Expo, and PDR College Advanced Skills Seminar

🔥 BONUS: Gene drops tool reviews and shoutouts to the new Dent Reaper tools, Sergio’s cold glue line, and Willy Quick’s Muck Off. Cold glue users — you’re gonna want to hear this.

✅ Your homework:
What questions do your customers ask over and over again?
Turn them into videos, blogs, social posts — and watch what happens.

Let Gene know what you’re planning:
📩 DM @autoappearanceinstitute
📧 Email: [email protected]
🧠 Follow the conversation & grow at autoappearanceinstitute.com