If you are a professional installer in the United States, the Canadian Tint Expo & Competition 2027 is your invitation to cross the border, step onto the competition floor and put your skills in front of the North American automotive aftermarket.
This event is open to American competitors as well as Canadian competitors. You do not need to be Canadian to enter. Whether you specialize in automotive window tint, architectural film, vehicle wrapping, PPF or detailing, there is an opportunity to compete, connect and build your reputation.
The event takes place April 3rd and 4th, 2027, at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, 6815 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
With 65+ competitors, 45 booths and 50 competition spots, this is more than a local show. It is a North American industry gathering built around one clear message:
Compete. Learn. Network. Grow.
American Installers Are Welcome in All Four Competitions
The Canadian Tint Expo & Competition features four major competitions across the weekend. All four are open to qualified competitors from the United States and Canada.
1. Great Canadian Tint Competition: Sunday
The Great Canadian Tint Competition is the main automotive window tint event of the weekend.
American window tinters can test their film handling, shrinking, cutting, finishing and contamination-control skills under competition conditions. Judges evaluate more than speed, including quality, precision, technique, time management and overall execution.
This is a chance to compete in a professional window tint competition in front of installers, shop owners, manufacturers, distributors and automotive professionals from across North America.
2. Flat Glass Championship: Saturday Afternoon
The Flat Glass Championship is designed for residential and commercial window film installers.
Competitors will be challenged in areas such as preparation, measurement, cutting, installation, water removal, straightness, edge consistency and final workmanship. If your business focuses on architectural film or flat glass, this is an opportunity to represent your specialty on an international competition floor.
The event is not limited to automotive tinters. American flat glass technicians are encouraged to enter and show the skill and precision their work demands.
3. Wrap Competition, Saturday Morning
The Wrap Competition brings vehicle wrappers into the spotlight.
American wrappers can compete on material handling, positioning, stretch management, corners, edges, recesses, finishing and overall presentation. Competitors will work against the clock while maintaining the professional standards expected in real production environments.
If you have ever wondered how your work compares with leading Canadian wrappers, this is your opportunity to find out in a fair, live setting.
4. Canada vs. USA Cross Border Showdown: Sunday Afternoon
The Cross Border Showdown is an explicitly two-nation team competition: Team Canada vs. Team USA.
This is not simply another individual category. American installers are literally needed to help field Team USA.
Individual performances contribute to each country’s overall score. Every competitor represents more than their own shop or personal brand; their result contributes to the combined performance of their country.
That makes the Cross Border Showdown a unique opportunity for American professionals to compete with national pride while building relationships with installers on both sides of the border.
Why Cross the Border for a Canadian Tint Expo?
The Canadian Tint Expo & Competition is positioned as Canada’s largest tint, wrap and detail expo. It brings together the people who shape the industry: installers, shop owners, manufacturers, distributors, product specialists and automotive businesses.
For an American installer, the value is not limited to the competition itself.
Compete against a broader field
A competition is most useful when it challenges you. Entering Niagara Falls gives you the chance to benchmark your technique against professionals from another market while working under the same event conditions.
You may leave with a trophy. You may leave with new techniques. You may leave with a clear understanding of where your process is strong and where it can improve.
All three outcomes are valuable.
Build credibility for your shop
US shops can use competition participation and results as credibility content across their marketing channels.
Being able to say that you competed at a major Canadian tint expo, entered a tint competition in Canada or represented Team USA in the Cross Border Showdown gives customers a story they remember.
Competition content can also become valuable social media material:
- Training and preparation videos
- Travel and behind-the-scenes content
- Live competition updates
- Install breakdowns
- Results and recognition
- Customer-facing “why choose us” content
You do not need to win to create meaningful content. Entering demonstrates ambition, professionalism and a commitment to improving your craft.
Meet suppliers and potential partners
The expo floor will include 45 booths and an industry audience that extends beyond one country.
For American shops, this can be an opportunity to meet Canadian distributors, manufacturers, software companies, film suppliers, tool brands and potential business partners. Canadian companies can also benefit from meeting experienced US installers who may become customers, ambassadors, educators or regional partners.
The best opportunities at industry events often happen between scheduled sessions: at booths, during demonstrations, over dinner or while watching the competition.
Niagara Falls Is an Easy Destination for US Competitors
Niagara Falls, Ontario is a short drive from Buffalo and Niagara Falls, New York, making this one of the most accessible international events for many US-based installers.
Depending on where you are travelling from, you can drive across the border or fly into Buffalo Niagara International Airport and continue to the convention centre by rental vehicle, shuttle or other transportation.
The event venue is:
Niagara Falls Convention Centre
6815 Stanley Avenue
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
For accommodation, transportation and local planning, review the official Trip Planning Guide.
Border and travel documents
US travellers should plan ahead for the international border crossing. Travellers may use a valid US passport, passport card or Enhanced Driver’s Licence, subject to current requirements and eligibility.
Travel rules can change, so confirm the current requirements before leaving. Check official information from the appropriate Canadian and US border authorities, and allow extra time for crossing during a busy event weekend.
Bringing installation tools across the border
If you plan to bring your own squeegees, knives, heat tools, plotter equipment or other installation supplies, review current CBSA and CBP guidance before travelling.
Do not assume that every tool or piece of equipment will be treated the same way at the border. Keep a clear list of what you are carrying, understand the purpose of the equipment and confirm any applicable requirements directly with the authorities.
The event will provide competitors with additional information about approved tools, materials and competition requirements as details are finalized. Read the Official Competition Rules and Format before preparing your travel kit.
You Do Not Have to Be the Best to Enter
Many skilled installers never enter competitions because they believe they must already be the best.
That is the wrong standard.
You can enter to benchmark your current process. You can enter to learn how other professionals work. You can enter to challenge yourself, build confidence and get recognized in front of the industry.
A competition environment exposes details that can be difficult to see during normal shop work:
- How your process holds up under time pressure
- Whether your preparation is repeatable
- How cleanly you finish edges and corners
- How you respond when something does not go according to plan
- Where small improvements could make your work more consistent
The goal is not only to prove what you can already do. It is to discover what you can do next.
Make the Most of the VIP Experience
American competitors and shop owners can also upgrade their weekend with the VIP Experience Ticket.
The VIP ticket is $299, regularly $399, and includes:
- VIP admission
- Friday Night VIP Dinner
- One roll of Scorpion window film
- 2027 VIP gear
- Swag and giveaways
- Access to live competitions and industry networking
The Friday dinner is especially valuable for US travellers because it creates an opportunity to meet competitors, sponsors, vendors and industry professionals before the expo floor opens.
Register to Compete in Niagara Falls
Competition registration is $349, with the early-bird offer saving $100. Available competition options include:
- Great Canadian Tint Battle, Sunday
- Flat Glass Battle: Saturday afternoon
- Wrap Battle, Saturday morning
- Canada vs. USA Cross Border Clash: Sunday afternoon
You can register to compete here. Review the official competition rules and select the category that best matches your specialty.
If you are an American tint installer, wrapper, flat glass technician, detailer or shop owner, this is your chance to join the field, not watch from the sidelines.
Vendors and Sponsors: Reach the US and Canadian Market
The event is also an opportunity for American brands, distributors and service providers to connect with a cross-border installer audience.
Available packages include:
- Standard Booth: $1,999
- Premium Booth: $2,900
- Bronze Sponsor: $3,700
- Silver Sponsor: $5,800
- Gold Sponsor: $9,000
- Platinum Sponsor: $15,000
- Presenting Sponsor, by inquiry
A booth or sponsorship can help your company demonstrate products, meet professional installers, create content, recruit dealers and build relationships in both markets.
View vendor and sponsorship packages, or contact Jose at Canada@tintexpo.ca for availability.
Team USA Needs You
The Canadian Tint Expo & Competition is not closed to American installers. It is built to bring Canadian and US professionals together.
Enter the Great Canadian Tint Competition. Test your skills in the Flat Glass Championship. Compete in the Wrap Competition. Step up for Team USA in the Cross Border Showdown.
Come to Niagara Falls ready to compete, learn from the field, meet the people behind the industry and bring new momentum back to your shop.
April 3rd & 4th, 2027
Niagara Falls Convention Centre
6815 Stanley Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Compete. Learn. Network. Grow.