Toronto, Ontario — January 31, 2019 –– On Thursday, more than 200 industry figures made their way to Mississauga’s International Centre to participate in the 21st annual Canadian Collision Industry Forum in Toronto.
On January 30, celebrations got off to a start with an afternoon workshop by Steve Trapp, the North America Services Manager for Axalta Coating Systems. One of the auto aftermarket’s best-known industry figures, known for his clear managerial insights, Trapp’s workshop focused on how to drive for 45 percent gross profits.
The conference also hosted a vendor showcase from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday.
The next morning, things got underway with a 7 a.m. breakfast and showcase.
Following the meal, CCIF director Caroline Lacasse delivered some opening remarks to the freshly fed repairers. She was followed by two other speakers: CCIF chair Paul Prochilo and past chair Patrice Marcil.
“In CCIF’s 21 years there has been an abundance of successes,” said Paul Prochilo, chairman of the CCIF Steering Committee. “And throughout the history of CCIF and the forum, the industry has seen a tremendous amount of change. It seems that change is definitively our new norm.”
In his speech, Marcil discussed the Industry-Education Connection project, which has been working to improve industry education at the college level and raise interest in the collision repair profession.
The Forum did not just address issues facing the national collision community. In his speech, International Bodyshop Industry Symposium director Jason Moseley focused on international issues and the global collision repair market, highlighting Canada’s position versus the European, U.S. and other global markets.
Other speeches touched on topics that, while less directly connected to the collision repair industry, raised issues of paramount importance to repairers.
In his speech, What Makes People Tick?, Craig Dowden PhD, author, psychologist and business strategy expert Craig Dowden discussed some ways for business owners to better understand their staff, sharing insightful tips on how to evaluate interactions with both staff and customers.
CCIF guests also listened as Justin Jakubiak, one of the few Ontario lawyers whose practice focuses on automotive and dealership law, with a long history of working for dealerships, repairers and mechanics throughout the province, discussed how collision repairers could protect their businesses from unnecessary legal liability stemming from their work.
With more than 80 businesses participating in the trade show, attendees were treated to demonstrations of the latest collision-related technologies.
