The 11th Annual Fix Auto USA National Conference hosted nearly 200 collision industry members at the Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz. The event took place Sept. 15-18, 2013, and featured the theme "Marketing that Matters."
Fix Auto says the main purpose of the conference was to foster professional growth in its attendees, a community that included not only Fix Auto collision repair members, but the insurance representatives and vendors with which they partner during the course of daily business.
The keynote speaker, former major league pitching standout Jim Abbott, discussed his ADAPT concept, which illustrated how repairers can change and mold themselves to meet and overcome any obstacle. In addition, author and consultant Scott Deming illustrated how attendees can capitalize on brand loyalty to drive business to their doors. Other speakers included Michael Bennett, North America marketing director for Axalta Coating Systems; Susanna Gotsch of CCC Information Services Inc.; Fix Auto member Richard Fish; and a panel of industry veterans who discussed the role parts play in collision repair today and in the future.
The conference also granted professionals in attendance to display their giving side through the Bike Build for Charity program. Sponsored by Mitchell International and facilitated by Impact 4 Good, a company that specializes in leadership development applied to philanthropic causes, Fix Auto participants worked in teams to build the bikes by competing in bike-related team activities that were both physically and mentally challenging.
A group of children associated with the StarShine Academy in Phoenix, a school specializing in the education of students from at-risk communities, were the designated recipients of the assembled bicycles, which they received in person. Safety helmets were part of the donation as well.
“One of Fix Auto’s underlying principles is giving back to the communities we serve,” said Fix Auto President and COO Paul Gange. “The Build a Bike Charity was a nice variation on this philosophy and was a great way to wrap our general sessions.
“Throughout the year we focus on our mission of enhancing the opportunities for independent repairers through collective marketing, robust resources and the benefit of shared knowledge and connectedness that is uniquely available through the Fix Auto network. We challenge our team to raise the bar at our annual conference, and this year’s conference set a new standard. We thank everyone who participated and look forward to the opportunity to enhance our program even further next year.”
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