Running a Shop

Our Hunt For The Industry’s Finest

June 1, 2012

Chances are that through the course of your day, you work with someone who always seems to make your life easier. The person might be a colleague, a vendor, or another collision repair professional who is on top of things, has a positive attitude, is an innovator, and has helped improve your business—or maybe even the industry at large.

Now is your chance to recognize that individual’s achievements in a big way. Five years ago, we introduced the FenderBender Awards to recognize the finest professionals the collision repair industry has to offer. We are once again taking nominations for this prestigious award in six categories:

• Executive (Shop Owner, Co-owner, CEO)
• Management (Shop Manager, Foreman)
• Administrative Support (Receptionist, Office Manager, Estimator)
• Shop Worker (Tech, Painter, Parts Manager, Helper, Detailer)
• Vendor (Parts Representative, Paint Representative, Jobber)
• Wild Card (Educator, Consultant, Insurance Executive, Association Leader)

Our award categories have evolved over the years to try to recognize individuals working in each sector of the industry. Winners receive an award, a feature in the October issue of FenderBender, exposure on fenderbender.com and recognition during an awards ceremony at the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), which this year is set for Oct. 10–13 in New Orleans.

The FenderBender Awards program has grown quickly since its launch. Last year, we received nearly 200 nominations—more than twice as many as in 2010. We plan to break that record again this year, so I urge nominators to really dig into why your colleague or industry peer stands out. Our editorial staff will read every nomination and make follow-up calls to the nominators of finalists before choosing the winners.

But even if your nominee isn’t selected as a winner, they might be considered for inclusion in a future FenderBender story. Nominating someone is simply a great way for you to tell us about an individual doing extraordinary things in the industry. Many nominees—and nominators—who did not receive an award last year made it into the magazine in one way or another because of their innovative strategies or inspirational achievements. There are many individuals in this industry who deserve recognition and we won’t shy away from sharing their stories.

Nominating someone is easy. Just go to fenderbenderawards.com and fill out the short form. The deadline for nominations is July 1, so tell us about your colleague or industry peer soon. I’m looking forward to reading about the inspirational individuals making a positive difference in your life.

Jake Weyer
[email protected]