The second annual Southern Automotive Repair Conference will be held April 11-12, 2014, at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss., hosting a variety of speakers, breakout sessions and a trade show tailored to collision repairers.
The conference is the brainchild of Steve Plier, executive director of ALARISE, the Alabama Automotive Repair Society of Excellence. Plier has experience on multiple sides of the industry fence, having worked approximately 23 years for State Farm. He formed his own consulting firm in 2010, and is also owner of Clips & More, an automotive clips and fasteners supplier.
Plier joined forces with John Mosley, owner of Clinton Body Shop in Clinton, Miss., and president of the Mississippi Collision Repair Association (MCRA), to create the conference. Although organized by only ALARISE and MCRA, a surprisingly large turnout of approximately 300 attendees and 28 exhibitors/sponsors participated in the 2013 conference. Many more participants are expected this year, as the conference has expanded to include six state associations.
The following associations are taking part in the 2014 event:
- ALARISE/Alabama Automotive Repair Society of Excellence
- Florida Autobody Collision Alliance
- Georgia Collision Industry Association
- Louisiana Collision Industry Association
- Mississippi Collision Repair Association
- Tennessee Collision Repairers Association
During the speaker segment of the conference, radio personality Patrick Porter from Porter’s Body Shop in Brookhaven, Miss., will be the Master of Ceremonies. Some of the guest speakers include:
- Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, who will provide a national industry update.
- Mike Thornton, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient and motivational speaker.
- Aaron Clark from Assured Performance, who will discuss OEM certifications.
- Dave Posten, collision marketing manager for American Honda, who will discuss Honda repair technologies.
- Richard Perry, Chief’s Ford F-150 project manager, will discuss the new repair requirements for aluminum F-150 vehicles.
- Richard Valenzuela with National Auto Body Research, who will discuss the Variable Rate System, a system that promises to make a difference in establishing equitable labor rates through a body shop survey system.
- Body shop owners John Mosley and Ray Gunder, along with attorney John Eaves Jr., who will discuss the details and status of lawsuits filed against insurers.
There is a $30 registration fee for attendees, or $150 for more than five attendees registering from an individual business at the same time. Exhibitor space is $1,000, $3,000 or $5,000 depending on booth requirements and presentation time slots. Space is still available, but exhibitors must register by March 25.
Exhibitors and attendees can pay by check or credit card. Forms and payment information are available at www.southernautomotiverepairconference.com.
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