Toronto, Ontario — January 12, 2017 — The next meeting of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) is just a few short weeks away, and it promises to be one of the largest events in the organization’s history.
Taking place January 26 and 27 at Universal Event Space in Vaughan, Ontario, the CCIF Cars & Technology Showcase will go beyond what is usually offered at CCIF meetings. The Showcase part of the event will take place on January 26 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. According to CCIF management, the Showcase will offer repairers the opportunity to experience technological advances in body and frame repair, hand and power tools, refinishing tools and equipment and explore new communications and software products.
Representatives of a number of OEMs will also be on hand to discuss the latest innovations present in their vehicles. The Showcase will be closed during the CCIF meeting itself on January 27, but there will still be an opportunity to explore what it has to offer during breakfast, networking breaks and lunch.
The 2017 CCIF Cars & Technology Showcase offers an impressive lineup of speakers. First up is Annabelle Cormack, President of Cormack Recruitment. She will speak on an issue that’s always top of mind for progressive repairers with her presentation “Recruitment: Bumper to Bumper.”
Cormack has deep experience in the recruiting business, but in the past year has been heavily involved with the automotive business. She’s worked closely business owners, industry experts, suppliers and schools to better understand the specific issues affecting recruitment in the automotive repair industry.
Going into 2017, she will continue to support the sector by being an active participant in recruitment conversations, with the goal of guiding the industry on best practices and tactics that not only aid in recruiting talent for existing jobs, but promote what career options exist in order to attract and secure new talent as well as improve employee retention and development for career succession.
Recruiting can be viewed as the foundation of a healthy industry, but the next presenter will provide a top-level view. Andrew King has been associated with the well-known firm DesRosiers Automotive Consulting since its founding in 1985. He has managed numerous projects for private sector and government clients and played a key role in developing the firm’s profile among vehicle companies.
King’s experience as a researcher of the Canadian automotive is extensive. Currently, his work focuses on strategic studies for vehicle companies, parts manufacturers and aftermarket distributors utilizing both qualitative and quantitative analysis.
The final two presentations of the morning session both focus on training. First up is Patrice Marcil, North American Learning & Development Director for Axalta Coating Systems. Marcil will lead a panel discussion on “Collision Industry-Education Connection.” The panel discussion will be followed by “I-CAR New Vehicle Repair,” delivered by Andrew Shepherd, Senior Director at AIA Canada and Executive Director for I-CAR Canada.
Following the lunch break, Mike Anderson of Collision Advice will lead a panel discussion on pre- and post-repair vehicle scanning and calibration. Zack Spencer of Motormouth and Driving TV rounds out the list of presenters, discussing trends for the future of the automobile.
CCIF Toronto 2017 will close with remarks from CCIF Chairman Joe Carvalho.
