Designed for collision repair multi-shop operators, as well as operators looking for high-growth strategies, mergers and acquisitions, divesting and operational excellence, the Collision Repair Executive Symposium (CRES) features a day of education and networking opportunities.
Registration for CRES, which is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 1 in Detroit, includes an Expo Pass (valid July 31 and Aug. 1 for NACE/CARS), admission to The Assembly – Industry Forum, General Session, Show Floor Receptions, CRES VIP Reception, and breakfast and lunch during the Symposium with the option to also purchase a Super Pass.
The updated schedule is as follows:
8:00 – 8:30 a.m.: Continental Breakfast
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.: Market Dynamics
Changes in vehicle ownership and driving patterns, ride-sharing, collision avoidance technologies, usage based insurance and vehicle telematics are just some of the latest factors influencing the current marketplace. Learn from insurance and collision industry executives about how these trends having impacting today’s market and how they will influence the future market for collision repairs.
Moderator: Russell Thrall III, publisher and editor-in-chief, CollisionWeek
Participants:
- Joseph Funk, vice president, AIG Complex Casualty Claims
- Susanna Gotsch, director, industry analyst, CCC Information Services, Inc.
- Randy Hanson, claim director, Allstate Insurance
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Maximizing Capacity Utilization
Collision repair operating models are constantly evolving in response to both the marketplace and the desire to continuously improve the business. Increasingly, successful repair facility operators are focusing their operations on maximizing their capacity utilization to assure top level Key Performance Indicator performance and growth.
Moderator: Erick Bickett, CEO, Fix Auto USA
Participants:
- Paul Krauss, president and CEO, Craftsman Auto Body
- Don Mikrut, vice president of CarCare Collision Centers
- Joe Amodei, founder and CEO of The Collision Centers of New York
- Rick Wood, co-CEO of Cooks Collision Centers
- Mark Sanders, president and chief operating officer, Caliber Collision Centers
- David Braun, principal with Nexsyis Collision, Inc.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Changing Vehicle Design and Increasing Repair Complexity
Everyone knows that the vehicles repaired today are vastly different from those of just five years ago. And the pace of change will continue for many years to come.
Learn how the industry is:
- Planning their investments in plant and equipment necessary to repair the ever-changing automobile
- Building cultures geared for technical excellence
- Assuring the right car gets the right repair by the right technician at the right repair facility
Moderator: Roger Wright, industry executive
Participants:
- Bill Brower, vice president and manager of strategic partnerships at Liberty Mutual Insurance
- Marty Iverson, executive vice president of business development for North America, Innovation Group
- Patrick Burnett, associate vice president of property and casualty claims – material damage, Nationwide Insurance
- Aaron Marshall, Marshall Auto Body
- David Goldstein, senior vice president – operations (California and Nevada), Caliber Collision
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Anatomy of an Acquisition
Geared to small and mid-size MSOs, this “mock” acquisition will go through the various steps of a transaction, looking at critical issues from both the buyer and seller’s viewpoint. Topics will include pre-sale preparation, understanding how businesses are valued, confidentiality, due diligence, deal structure and negotiation strategy.
Moderator: Marcy Tieger, managing director, Symphony Advisors, LLC
Participants:
- John Walcher, president of Veritas Advisors, Inc.
- Will Johnston, vice president of acquisitions, Service King
More information:
For more information on CRES, click here.
