I think that most of you who read my column every month realize that I try to write about issues that can positively impact your businesses or make you think about things that can have a positive effect on you or our industry in general. Editor Jason Stahl handles most of the controversial topics and/or industry issues up front in his space.

Whether it’s Jason, myself, Managing Editor Hannah Schiffman or one of our contributors, we at BodyShop Business are here to fulfill our goal of being the No. 1 provider of information to the collision repair industry. Regardless of how you want to receive it (print, website, e-newsletter, webinar, video or face-to-face), our job is to get industry information to you.

One of the responsibilities that we have to you the reader is to provide that information in an unbiased manner. We should also deliver the message as accurately and timely as possible. It’s not our job to interpret or filter the information or take sides of an issue but just give each side the most information available and then let you decide. That history of accurate dialogue between the BodyShop Business staff and its readers has been the hallmark of this publication’s success – and serves as the very foundation that brings me to my words today.

Many of you had the opportunity to attend our Waterborne/Low-VOC Conference last year and told us that it was a valuable resource in helping you make the proper decisions when transitioning from solvent-based paints. This year, we’ve chosen the much broader topic of “Succeeding Through Change” for our conference Sept. 17-18 in Indianapolis, and we hope even more of you will join us this year. It’s an excellent low-cost opportunity to increase your knowledge in a place that’s close to home for many of you.

During the process of putting one of these conferences together, one must find interesting content that can be provided in a non-biased manner that most will find beneficial. This year, I asked George Avery of State Farm to talk to the collision repair industry about what he sees from the insurance side of the business when he looks into the future. Gratefully, he accepted, and I know he’ll provide a very insightful glimpse of what’s coming down the road.

Here’s the catch: If you read all the negative material that has been written on our website regarding our selection of George as our keynote speaker, you would think we had crawled into the wolf’s den. Let me be clear: BodyShop Business derives no revenue from having George at our
conference. He’ll simply be our guest from the largest property/casualty
insurer in the business.

Whatever your business model is, the future of the industry should be in your thoughts. I always talk about having a plan. Here’s an opportunity to hear what one side of the business may be thinking. How better to make decisions than with information directly from the source? For those of you who insist on seeing our industry as a battlefield, remember that there is always intelligence on both sides of any battle. For the rest of you, think of it as an opportunity to learn more about our industry.

Sellout in Indy? You bet. We only have room for 200 shops. See you there.