The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced that 2016 will mark the seventh year of consecutive support that PPG Automotive Refinish has provided for collision industry education programs. Their involvement and participation includes both financial and strategic contributions to the Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series delivered by SCRS during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas as well as course development and delivery.

PPG’s support of the RDE series will provide opportunities to thousands of collision repair professionals throughout the first week of November. But the level and depth of involvement is really highlighted on Nov. 3rd when, in addition to the ongoing support of all regular RDE sessions held throughout the week, PPG will deliver a session from the SEMA Collision Repair & Refinish Stage (North Hall, booth no. 10879) titled, “Color Matching and Styling: More Than Painting by Numbers.” The free session will be led by John Parran, director of marketing for U.S. & Canada for PPG Automotive Refinish, and will include other leading members of PPG’s marketing, collision and pigments teams. Register online at www.scrs.com/rde.

“The session really exemplifies the cross section of audience found at the SEMA Show,” said SCRS Chairman Andy Dingman. “There is a great deal of common interest amongst those operating in all facets of the automotive refinish world, and we are thrilled to have a unique program that can deliver great content for all in attendance.”

For the collision center, the session will address where and how the OE manufacturer comes up with their color palette and how to match it. There is ever-increasing complexity involved in formulating and matching the new colors, and this session will address tricks of the trade.

For the builder and custom painter, the session will help to refine how you pick the color of the car, and how and why the OE manufacturers pick their colors – including current styling trends.

“Education is at the core of what we do at PPG, and we are really proud to have such a history of involvement in the collision repair community and specifically with SCRS,” said Domenic Brusco, senior manager, Industry Relations. “Educational opportunities are the backbone to strengthening our industry and enhancing the most visual element of collision repair. As one of the longest-running sponsors of this program, it’s been exceptionally rewarding to watch what SCRS has done to deliver back to the industry. We couldn’t be more proud to be a part of it.”

Also featured on Thursday will be SCRS’ OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit in Room N241 in the Upper Level of the North Hall. This program, made possible in part by support from PPG Automotive Refinish, is one of the most unique networking learning opportunities available to the collision repair industry. The day-long forum is designed to put SEMA Show attendees in a room with innovators in automotive structural design and technology. The summit’s focus is on emerging trends in vehicle construction and technology, and how both of those aspects influence vehicle repairability and collision industry preparation. The 2016 summit will feature three sessions:

• 9:30-11:30 a.m. – OEM1 | Collision Repair Technology Summit – Restoring Vehicle Functionality Through Electronic Technology and Diagnostics
• 12:30-2:30 p.m. – OEM2 | Collision Repair Technology Summit – Advanced Vehicle Materials, Construction and Repair Considerations
• 3-5 p.m. – OEM3 | Collision Repair Technology Summit – Meet the Trainer: A candid discussion with individuals responsible for manufacturer training and curriculum development for technical staff and industry outreach

Register online for the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit at www.scrs.com/rde.

At the end of the day, PPG will also co-host the Sky Villa After Party event with SCRS and others. This evening function delivers a nighttime reception from a suite rich in Las Vegas history, offering some of the most amazing sights of the city from one of the most luxurious suites on the strip, while drawing in shop owners and industry representatives from around the world. Tickets to attend can be secured at www.scrs.com/rde.

“Education and networking are what really drive attendance at in-person events,” said Brusco. “SCRS has really developed something special for the collision repair community at the SEMA Show, and the events and information that they have put together for the RDE program is a great example of how in tune they are with their membership.”

For more information about SCRS, or to join as a member, visit www.scrs.com, call (877) 841-0660 or email [email protected].