It’s the third and final day of this year’s International Window Film Conference & Tint-Off (WFCT) in Virginia Beach, Va. Chris Collier, Director of Communications for Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge, caught up with attendees and team members to discuss various elements of the show.
“I love good coffee, so I was very excited to see the Huper Optik Coffee Bar,” says Window Film Pros founder Patric Fransko. “As always, the team at Huper thought of everything, and it was a great spot to grab a comfortable seat and recharge from the show floor. I also am looking forward to brewing some of the Drei coffee they gave out back at home. It may even power the next episode of It’s Just a Cup of Coffee.”
Distribution Efforts
Founded in 2016 by Frank Cavallo and George Vanellis, Tekton Performance Films is the exclusive Canadian distributor for Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge. Many of the company’s team members made the trip to Virginia Beach, Va., to connect with existing dealers and forge new relationships.
“It’s about networking–having the chance to spend time with people,” says Cavallo. “We’re big on the support that we provide for our customers. All three of our sales representatives are former installers and/or shop owners. Our focus is on spending time with our customers–visiting shops, helping with jobs, and sharing business advice. That’s how we’ve carved out our spot in the industry.”
Justin Mercier, Territory Manager for Eastern Canada and New England at Tekton Performance Films, says, “When these events come up, we’re more than happy to support Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge. Autobahn was here last year as the keynote sponsor–they did it again this year. I find that there’s natural and organic interest [about the brands] coming up in questions and conversations.”
At his second WFCT, Ryan Mattingly, Territory Manager for Ontario, Canada, at Tekton Performance Films, adds, “I love helping people, improving a shop’s efficiency, and training people in new fields. I’m proud to be a part of this.”
375 industry professionals attended WFCT 2023’s Kick-Off Beach Party at Chix on the Beach in Virginia Beach, Va. Sponsored by Autobahn, the gathering featured the industry’s first-ever drone show.
Advertising agency J2 Consulting’s client, Sky Elements Drones, made the magic happen.
“[David Kratz, CEO of Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge] saw the drone show company through my social media page,” says Jared Guynes, who co-founded his agency with his partner, Jessica Sapp. “That’s why he [slotted] them for the show. I thought it was cool that sharing things naturally on my profile led to a connection.”
50% of advertising agency J2 Consulting’s clients serve the window film industry.
“Coming to a convention like this or SEMA is a terrific opportunity to connect with people we only have digital communication with after the onboarding process,” Guynes says. “It’s a good opportunity to conveniently meet with clients without having to move around too much.”
Conversations With Dealers
Francisco and Veronica Sanchez own Sunshades Window Tinting in Palm Desert, Calif. They oversee a team of five: Ellisa Mendiola, Cecilio Beltran, Ariel Cortes, Mario Martinez, and Anthony Sanchez.
“We enjoy the networking part of WFCT,” Veronica Sanchez shares. “It’s fun meeting new people. But it’s also about learning new techniques. There’s a lot of information to take in.”
A Huper Optik dealer, the company provides film installation for commercial, residential, and automotive windows throughout Southern California.
Visiting the Autobahn Booth
A Chevrolet Corvette C8 in Accelerate Yellow rests at the front of Autobahn’s WFCT 2023 booth. Behind it, an Autobahn-sponsored Rotek Racing Porsche race car. Towering above it all, a banner flys company colors you just can’t miss. George Nevarez, Training Coordinator at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge, shared insights into his instructional sessions.
“I’m training someone to do better in this industry,” Nevarez says. “I show all of the different installation methods. Some people can do one method, while another person can do another. I feel like I’m passing on the torch to the next generation.”
Billy ‘Frickin’ Murray, Territory Manager at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge, adds, “The biggest thing is welcoming everyone in, no matter who you are. We want to spread that culture everywhere, making people feel welcomed and a part of something.”
ICYMI–WFCT 2023 Coverage
- Film and Family: Autobahn and Huper Optik Exhibit at WFCT 2023
- Autobahn Sponsors WFCT’s Kick-Off Beach Party
- Welch’s World: A WFCT 2023 Snapshot
(Photos courtesy of Josh Welch, Photography and Video Production Specialist at Autobahn, Huper Optik, and Edge)