Refinish Distributors Alliance (RDA) announced it had record attendance at its Fall Membership Meeting Oct. 5-7 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. The three days featured speakers such as Mike Anderson from Collision Advice and Gene Marks from The Marks Group. Members and manufacturers were also able to enjoy a taste of Nashville with a tour of the Grand Ole Opry and a night out at the Wild Horse Saloon.

Mike Anderson opened the meeting with a presentation and workshop that addressed the critical value-added tools that distributors must provide their collision shops to not only thrive, but survive. Anderson talked about utilizing different industry resources that provide data for benchmarking from companies like CCC One and Enterprise to using reputational intelligence and running local performance groups.

“Overall, this was the best member meeting I’ve attended,” said Kevin Bohte of Mike & Jerry’s. “We are already working on our ‘toolbox’ to differentiate ourselves from the competition. Thanks, RDA!”

Added Tom Smetanka of Central Paint, “This was an excellent meeting with excellent content, which I will begin to use immediately. Mike Anderson gave us so many value-added tools. I am going to work with BASF to put together a performance group with my customers and also utilize CCC and their information with my customers.”

“By far, the best meeting we’ve had,” said Chris Gardner of Autobody Supply. “Every speaker had relevant and enlightening content. There were so many takeaways from value-added programs like CCC One for the shops, to understanding health care and preparing on how to service the MSOs.”

Executive Director Robert McKenzie Jr. said, “The objective of our meeting was to provide relevant information and takeaways that the members can implement and will make a difference in their business.”