I-CAR offers welding, diagnostics, and collision repair training courses at the 2026 SEMA Show in Las Vegas from November 3-6, with hands-on demonstrations and expert instruction to help repair professionals build knowledge and earn industry credentials.
- Welding Courses: Gas metal arc and metal inert gas welding classes cover equipment setup, safety, mild steel, and aluminum techniques with hands-on practice on the show floor
- Schedule & Cost: Basic welding runs Nov. 3-5 (9-10 a.m.) and advanced session Nov. 5 (11 a.m.-noon) in room S225, priced at $50 per session
- Additional Programs: New diagnostics, blueprinting, and glue pull repair courses expand training beyond welding with focus on damage identification and ADAS systems
- Credentials: Completing paired course bundles and passing assessments earn two I-CAR course credits toward annual training requirements
- Location: I-CAR main booth is 33139 in Upper South Hall; ADAS challenge and stage presentations available throughout the event
Collision repair technicians attending the 2026 SEMA Show can practice welding techniques under expert guidance through I-CAR’s classroom courses and show floor demonstrations.
The training is part of the Nov. 3 to 6 event at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Participants in I-CAR’s gas metal arc and metal inert gas welding courses can apply their classroom lessons on the show floor with an I-CAR welding expert.
I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is a not-for-profit collision repair training organization based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Its welding courses cover equipment setup, safety and techniques for mild steel and aluminum.
“I-CAR helps repair professionals build the knowledge and confidence to meet today’s repair challenges,” Kyle Thompson, I-CAR president and chief executive officer, said in an Oct. 7 press release.
According to the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s published schedule, the basic welding course runs from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Nov. 3, 4 and 5 in room S225. An advanced welding session is listed for Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to noon in the same room. Both are taught by I-CAR instructor Jaime Shewbridge and listed at US$50 per session. All times are local.
Attendees can also purchase paired course bundles. Those who complete both sessions in a bundle and pass the post-course assessment receive two I-CAR course credits toward annual training requirements.
Three new courses broaden this year’s program beyond welding. A diagnostics session covers scans before, during and after repairs, diagnostic trouble codes and calibration. A blueprinting course examines damage identification and repair planning, while a glue pull repair course covers tools, applications and limitations.
Near the Collision Repair Stage at booth 32145, attendees can examine a 2021 Ford Mustang as part of an advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and repair planning challenge. A short quiz tests their knowledge of potentially affected components and calibration requirements. I-CAR’s main booth is 33139 in Upper South Hall.
The stage program also includes a Nov. 4 discussion on how structural alignment affects sensor alignment and calibration, followed by an interview on structured welding protocols. Presentations will be available online on demand the following day.
