September 17, 2018—Day one of the 2018 FenderBender Management Conference kicked off with an opening keynote from Jason Boggs, owner of Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders.

Boggs gave the opening "How I Did It" keynote, the first piece in a series that carries over throughout the event's FenderBender Talks. Boggs’ motivating journey through the ranks of the industry—from 3M service rep to operator of his family’s repair business to student of lean manufacturing—serves as a powerful message as to the opportunity this field can providen and a clear pathway for others to follow.

Afternoon sessions included topics like effective estimating, which was presented by Matthew McDonnell, owner of Big Sky Collision Network; secrets to small market success by Mark Probst, owner of Probst Auto Body; and how to indoctrinate new hires into a shop culture presented by Kevin Rains, owner of Rains CARSTAR Group.

Day One comprised a total of six sessions presented by industry veterans, and ended with a cocktails and networking hour and a Chicago-style kickoff party.