The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is calling the 2010 SEMA Show and its new Repairer Driven Education a success based on significant and diverse industry representation.
The SEMA Show created a first-time focus on the collision repair market through a strategic relationship with SCRS and a dedicated area of the show for collision industry exhibitors to showcase their equipment, services and offerings. Event organizers also worked with SCRS to roll out the association’s Repairer Driven Education, which cycled over 125 individuals through two days of educational offerings that covered topics relevant to modern-day collision repair professionals.
"Based on the obvious energy and excitement that filled the halls of the show and the feedback we’ve received from exhibitors, attendees, speakers and show management, this first-year initiative is by any measure a tremendous success and a significant benefit both for the industry and our association," said SCRS Chairman Barry Dorn. "SCRS worked incredibly hard this year to put together what we felt would offer the industry a fresh and exciting option for shops looking to step outside of their business to find education, inspiration and ideas that can carry their businesses successfully into the future. This was a first-year effort with strong results given the economy and the uncertainty about launching a new venue within the industry. I’m confident that those in attendance believe we accomplished our goals."
Beyond SCRS’ involvement, there were I-CAR training classes, the premiere of the I-CAR TechPro World Tour, NABC’s Recycled Rides giveaway and First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) program, Recycled Parts Roundtable discussion hosted by QRP and over 250 companies exhibiting products to the collision repair industry.
The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) welcomed over 66 first-time attendees, the largest number of new attendees ever. CIC’s Industry Achievement Awards luncheon and evening reception were its largest ever as well. Other meetings during the week were conducted by SCRS, I-CAR, NABC, AASP and the OEM Roundtable.
"SCRS has always been an association that follows the will and direction defined by our members," said SCRS Vice Chairman Aaron Clark. "As a volunteer on the Board of Directors, and as a shop owner and member, it’s personally rewarding for me to see that our decisions are supported by the industry and validated through their participation and attendance. Furthermore, building upon how our organization embraces industry direction, I believe that the significant amounts of feedback we’ve already received will allow us to expand upon this first-year accomplishment and further amplify our offerings in future years. There’s no doubt that this is an exciting time both for SCRS and the industry."
Added Peter MacGillivray, vice president of events and communications for SEMA, “We measure our success by the feedback we hear from our strategic partners, exhibitors and attendees. Our collaboration with SCRS and the collision industry enabled us to take a solid step forward in developing a show that serves the industry. Looking forward, we’ll continue to invest in such resources as world-class education and show features that will attract leading collision repair companies to the annual SEMA Show."
Based upon the success of the 2010 SEMA Show, the SCRS says it and the collision industry are both assured of a prominent place within the 2011 SEMA Show. The SCRS says it expects that the knowledge and experience gained will aid in surpassing last week’s event in size, scope and caliber next year.
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