Hamilton, Ontario — CARSTAR Canada recently concluded its spring regional meetings, bringing together its franchise family from across Canada.
The event was designed to provide a platform for insightful and productive sessions allowing franchisees to receive valuable training in areas from estimating to EV repair, co-op placement and everything in between.
“We experienced the highest level of franchise partner participation in these meetings than ever before, filling every room we were in,” said Dave Foster, SVP of operations and development for CARSTAR Canada.
“Collin Welsh, Andrew Northrup, Dave Merry and Remi Michaud displayed exceptional leadership in each of their regions, cultivating content and curating guest speakers that mattered to their markets.
“We care deeply about bringing value to our network and these hyperlocal educational sessions are a perfect forum for just that.”
Ontario
Four spring regional meetings were held in Ontario: London, Vaughan, Ottawa and Sudbury. The meetings, hosted in April, included sessions on operational best practices, collision centre financial management, performance analytics and apprenticeship program education.
With guests from local colleges, financial experts and industry experts, the Ontario CARSTAR owners were all able to take something away from each meeting.
CARSTAR Canada extends special thanks to CARSTAR Sudbury and CARSTAR Ottawa South East (Hunt Club) for providing tours and space for the sessions.
Alberta
Held in Edmonton at the start of May, the whole Alberta region gathered for a jam-packed day of industry, corporate and leadership speakers.
Highlights included a discussion on AI by Ryan Taylor and team-building strategies from Calgary Flames’ coach Ryan Husker.
CARSTAR was also able to share updates as it relates to Alberta in its operational performance and coaching strategies to move the needle in franchise partner profitability.
British Columbia
The roadshow continued in Burnaby, B.C. , where franchises gathered for two days of industry insights, training and collaboration. Ryan Taylor’s AI presentation drove further thought-provoking discussion on customer service; as did ICBC and ARA.
The first day concluded with a presentation of CARSTAR latest partnership with the BC Lion and Grey Cup leadership team.
The second day was geared toward estimating training for stores and their teams, led by special guest Stefano Liessi from Color Compass.
Atlantic Canada
Atlantic Canadian provinces gathered in Halifax for two days of successful events. Jeff Oldenettel from Collision Advice led a comprehensive full-day estimating training with owners bringing their managers and estimators along to the event.
The next day, Dave Meery, zone director, Atlantic region for CARSTAR Canada and Victor Lancleve, manager of operations for CARSTAR Canada, led operations discussions along with other CARSTAR developmental initiatives.
The Kember family hosted facility tours and CARSTAR Sydney GM Angus Wilson celebrated his birthday at the infamous wing night.
Quebec
At the end of May, CARSTAR Canada closed out its regional meetings with a bang in Quebec, as over 50 insurance members and 75 franchise partners gathered for two days of in-depth sessions. The highlight was the innovative Programme Competence VE training by CPCPA, which focused on EV and hybrid vehicle repair.
The second day featured esteeming activities supported by Cam Auto and LKQ, geared at boosting profitability through advanced estimating tools.
“A special thank you to all CARSTAR franchise partners for making these regional meetings an outstanding success,” continued Foster. “Your participation in these events and commitment each day enabled the CARSTAR network to uphold the highest standards of collision repair excellence for our valued customers.”
Visit CARSTAR.ca for more information.
