Feb. 8, 2012—AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas will host its first sustainability user group meeting during the 37th semi-annual gathering of the Acoat selected North American Performance Group Feb. 15-17 in San Diego.

AkzoNobel said the purpose of the meeting, which will be held at the Omni Hotel & Resort in San Diego, is to advance sustainable business solutions in the collision repair industry. Attendees will participate in classes designed to promote practices that perpetuate sustainable business models.

The class curriculum will address industry trends, technology and leadership training. In addition, keynote speaker Kristen Andress, founder of Kristin Andress International, will discuss how attendees can take control of their lives, according to AkzoNobel.

“AkzoNobel has assumed a position of leadership and responsibility in the area of sustainability as it relates to collision repair,” said Mike Shesterkin, director of sustainability and business process improvement for AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas. “This user group is a next level step in an effort to broaden the industry’s involvement and advancement in the area of sustainable business practices through the use of a dedicated group of businesses which wish to prove that sustainability and profitability are not disconnected concepts.” 

“Acoat selected has a 25 year record in the advancement of the collision repair industry. These businesses have raised awareness, shared knowledge and crafted solutions to critical industry issues,” said Barry Rinehart, North American services manager for AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas. “Today, sustainable business practices are rapidly moving from a perceived need to an absolute business requirement. The cause of making sustainability real and achievable for the collision repair industry is a necessity, not a luxury. Achieving this goal is critical to AkzoNobel.”

For more information, visit akzonobel.com/aac.