Looking Back at Auto Glass Week 2026: Highlights and Takeaways from San Antonio
Auto Glass Week™ 2026 took over the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, from August 27 to 29, with pre-event education kicking off on August 26.
The event united top technicians, manufacturers, and industry innovators from across the globe, and the Lone Star State provided an incredible backdrop as thousands of automotive glass repair, replacement, and calibration professionals gathered in downtown San Antonio.
With rapid shifts in vehicle technology shaping the conversation, this year's event was all about stepping up, sharpening skills, and tackling industry challenges head-on.
Shaping the Future of the Industry
The main sessions kicked off with a powerful message from the Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC). During the State of the Industry Address, AGSC president Jacques Navant opened with a blunt assessment of the trade's current landscape, pointing to rapid technological change, shifting consumer expectations, and inconsistent enforcement of safety standards from state to state. "It's a jungle out there," Navant told the room, framing the rest of his remarks around a simple challenge: the industry has to actively defend its own integrity, rather than assume the market will do it for them.
Speakers throughout the address emphasized that taking an active role in industry integrity, AI integration, and technician safety standards is more critical than ever as the pace of change accelerates across the collision and glass repair space.
Why Calibration Stole the Show
A major theme on the exhibition floor and in educational panels was the soaring importance of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Experts shared eye-opening data points during the market trends sessions that underscored just how central calibration has become to the modern glass shop's bottom line.
The average vehicle on the road is now approaching 12 years old, out of a total fleet of nearly 300 million vehicles nationwide. That aging fleet mix, combined with the steady march of ADAS-equipped vehicles into the used car market, means roughly half of these modern vehicles require sensor or camera calibration following glass service.
For shops willing to build out that capability in-house, the payoff is measurable: those that successfully capture in-house calibration see an average boost of $82 extra per invoice, a number that speaker after speaker returned to when making the case for investment in calibration equipment and training.
Celebrating the "World's Best" Champions
No Auto Glass Week is complete without fierce, high-stakes competition, and this year's field delivered plenty of drama. After three intense days of skill-based showdowns, congratulations are in order for Tucker Martin, Esteban Soto, Sarena Rose, and Sean Fagan for winning their respective competitions.
Winners were celebrated at a lively awards banquet hosted at the historic Buckhorn Saloon & Museum.
New Products
The exhibition floor featured a range of tools and technologies for the auto glass sector, with a strong focus on mobile ADAS calibration, faster setup, and solutions designed to help shops work more efficiently.
MaxiSYS MA800
Highlights included the foldable Autel MaxiSYS MA800 mobile ADAS framework, which drew steady attention for its portability.
Auggie Air
A wireless camera calibration system that generated buzz as a lighter-weight option for technicians who move between bays throughout the day.
X-939 ADAS SmartAlign
A precise ADAS calibration and wheel alignment solution designed to help shops streamline setup and calibration procedures.
View Product →Hands-On Learning and Community
From live back-glass replacement demonstrations using cutting-edge tooling to specialized boot camps covering repair, replacement, and ADAS, attendees left with actionable techniques they could bring straight back to their local shops.
The event wrapped up with a community-focused Family Day on August 29, introducing the next generation to auto glass safety and repair concepts and closing out the week on a note that tied the industry's technical ambitions back to the people and communities it serves.
What Stood Out in San Antonio
Calibration is central
ADAS calibration continues to become a larger part of the modern auto glass business.
Mobility matters
New equipment is increasingly focused on portability, faster setup, and flexibility between bays.
Training still matters
Equipment is only part of the equation. Skills, procedures, and technician education remain critical.
Until Next Year
Auto Glass Week 2026 made one thing clear: the auto glass industry is changing fast. ADAS calibration, new technology, technician training, and business efficiency are becoming increasingly interconnected.
For us at ADAS Depot, the best part was getting to see that evolution up close, meet the people driving it forward, and bring those conversations back to the shops we work with every day.
Find the Right Setup for Your Shop
Looking to bring in-house ADAS calibration capability to your shop? Contact ADAS Depot's sales team to see what fits your bay.
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