The 2011 BodyShop Business Conference – Strategies for Success is combining a great location, knowledgeable presenters and exciting exhibitors to give repairers a full day of experiences sure to leave them enlightened and inspired.
The conference, slated for Thursday, May 5 at the Pheasant Run Resort in Lake Charles, Ill., will feature a full day of seminars for just $129, and new is an all-day trade show that’s free for any area collision repairer to attend. At least two dozen companies supplying the latest tools, equipment and supplies will be on the show floor.
Location, Location, Location
This year’s BodyShop Business Conference venue, the Pheasant Run Resort, is more than a mere hotel and convention facility. Pheasant Run, located in the Chicago suburbs, is the Midwest’s largest entertainment resort. It’s located on a beautiful 250 acres, boasting two championship golf courses, a spa, luxurious guest rooms, award-winning dining and entertainment and three pools. You just might want to make a long weekend out of this trip. Plus, Pheasant Run is offering a special room rate for conference guests of just $119 per night.
Here’s a rundown of Pheasant Run’s key attractions:
• 36 holes of championship golf, including a resort course and a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. links course at Prairie Landing, plus driving range, golf academy and pro shop
• Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa
• Two theaters featuring productions by Fox Valley Repertory – the largest professional, award-winning theater in the Fox Valley area
• Zanies Comedy Club
• Several restaurants and lounges
Getting Down to Business
But of course, you’re not just attending the BodyShop Business Conference as a weekend getaway, you’re looking to get the information you need to make your business more successful – both in the shop and the front office. You’re in luck. We’ve lined up a roster of excellent speakers covering an array of business and technical topics sure to help you boost your bottom line.
The roster of topics and speakers includes:
Your Legal Rights: Erica Eversman, JD, Vehicle Information Services — Eversman, founder and chief counsel of Vehicle Information Services Inc., will give an overview of your legal rights as a shop owner and how to best protect yourself and your customers.
Lean Concepts: John Sweigart, direction leader of The Body Shop @ and BSB contributing editor — Sweigart, a lean expert, will give you the tools needed to embark on your own lean journey.
Demystifying 6H: Erin Conley, Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP) — Conley will explain what the rule means for collision repairers. Conley will provide a brief overview of the 6H Rule, discuss some common misconceptions about the requirements and address the most frequently asked questions regarding compliance with the rule.
Social Media and Search Engine Optimization: Mark Claypool, Optima Worldwide — Claypool, an entrepreneur who has started several companies and non-profit groups, is an expert in creating and maintaining an effective web presence. Claypool will explain the keys to effective use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter, along with Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which will help your shop’s website rank high in Google and other search engines.
Waterborne/Low-VOC Panel Discussion: Mark Clark, Professional PBE Systems – Clark, a well-known industry expert and speaker, will lead a panel of representatives from major paint companies in a discussion about waterborne/low-VOC coatings.
Waterborne/Low-VOC Training:
Jeff Peevey, I-CAR Director of Field Operations — Peevey will lead this seminar instilling the basic skills and information needed to successfully use waterborne/low-VOC coatings.
Insurer Relations: Dan Risley, staff claim analyst, Allstate — Risley will give valuable tips for negotiating with insurance companies – both in DRP and non-DRP settings.
Low VOC 101 – How Did We Get Here?: Mark Clark, Professional PBE Systems — Clark will give an overview of the history of waterborne/low-VOC.
Environmental Compliance: Dan Heinen, Illinois OSHA — With all the rules and regulations governing your shop’s operations, it’s sometimes difficult to know whether you’re following – or breaking – the rules. Heinen will discuss common mistakes body shop owners make regarding OSHA compliance.
Exhibits Galore
At least two dozen companies providing everything from body parts to spraybooths will exhibit at the BodyShop Business Conference’s all-day trade show. For the first time ever, the trade show, also slated for May 5, is free for all area collision repairers to attend. The show is a unique opportunity to mix and mingle with your colleagues and industry suppliers, giving more access than is often available at larger events.
The trade show is sponsored by: BASF, PPG, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes and Transtar Autobody Technologies.
These four companies will be exhibiting on our show floor along with these exhibitors (list subject to change):
• Accudraft (SAIMA)
• Aeromotive
• Car-O-Liner
• CARSTAR
• Col-Met Spray Booths
• Collision Automotive Repair Services
• DuPont
• Elektron
• Garmat
• Global Finishing Solutions
• Induction Innovations
• Island Clean Air
• Killer Tools
• Light-Up Customs/Gator Glass
• LKQ Corp.
• Matrix System Automotive Finishes
• Mitchell
• Pro Tools
• SATA Spray Equipment
• Spray-Tech
• Total Automotive, Inc.
• Urethane Supply Co.
• Valspar
• Wanda
What Are You Waiting For?
The top-notch venue, excellent speakers and broad range of exhibitors make this a unique event and an excellent value for repairers in the Midwest. Whether you want to attend the full day of seminars or just browse our free exhibits, the time to register is now! Visit www.bodyshopbusiness.com/conference to sign up.
