By Darryl Simmons
Toronto, Ontario — May 12, 2019 — Ah, springtime. What a time to be in the collision repair industry!
From every repair bay, technicians whistle their merry tunes. In every waiting room, sun-baked customers take liberties with complimentary beverages. Across the country, members of the collision community look forward to several months of charity golf tournaments and network conferences.
One of the honours Collision Repair magazine is bestowed with is attendance at the International Bodyshop Industry Symposium as a publishing partner representing Canada. This year’s IBIS, which is being held at the Grand Dino Hotel in Baveno, Italy on June 10-12, sounds like it will be pretty spectacular. It isn’t just the location that I am excited about. For one thing, IBIS presentations are always of the highest calibre, and the subjects discussed often filter into broader repair community’s discourse.
Last year, industry analyst Brad Mewes speech on the next phase of industry consolidation, which was delivered in front of the presidents of North America’s largest banners, sent ripples through the world’s auto repair community. Half-a-year later, during SEMA, his points were still being discussed. While I would find it daunting to follow such a resounding success, IBIS’s organizers have always done a great job at finding presenters who are intent on surpassing their predecessors.
This year, the challenge is being taken up by a number of top-tier figures, including Elite Body Shop Solutions founder Dave Luehr, co-author of The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops, and business improvement specialist Jeff Smith, author of the best-selling The KPI Book. I am excited to find ouy how they plan to raise the bar.
Then, of course, the Summit represents an unparalleled opportunity to meet and network with the most interesting thought-leaders in the industry. Assembling delegates from more than 30 countries, participants can expect to get early insights into the trends that will shape the industry’s future. If you can’t make it, don’t sweat it. We will have your back, just like you’ve always had ours.
As the exclusive Canadian media partner at the event, it is our privilege to yet again provide the collision community with our in-depth coverage and analysis of the event. As the country’s leading collision repair industry magazine, Collision Repair has built a reputation for providing a Canadian lens on international stories, rather than second-hand information gleaned from press releases.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for this continued support.
Darryl Simmons is the publisher of Collision Repair.
