Economist will keynote I-CAR conference

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Dr. Martin A. Regalia, vice president and chief economist of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will discuss the state of the economy and the economic factors impacting the collision industry during the opening session of the I-CAR 30th Annual Industry Conference July 29th, prior to the Collision Industry Conference meeting.

Regalia’s keynote address will be followed by two panel discussions with industry leaders detailing the return on investment of training, in a challenging economy, to drive improved business efficiencies, customer retention and financial performance.

Regalia recently was named one of the top 10 economists in the nation by USA Today. He and the other economic experts received this recognition based on the accuracy of their 2008 forecasts.

“I-CAR is very pleased to be able to offer to the collision repair inter-industry someone of Dr. Regalia’s expertise, experience and stature to speak at I-CAR’s 30th Annual Industry Conference,” says John Edelen, I-CAR president and CEO. “His analysis and perspectives will provide the collision industry additional insight into the realities of today’s economy, and view of what the future may hold.”

Prior to coming to the Chamber in April 1993, Regalia served as the director of research for the Savings and Community Bankers of America. He also served as a principal analyst in the Fiscal Analysis Division at the Congressional Budget Office, as an economist for the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System in both the Banking and Capital Markets Sections, and as a financial economist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

Regalia regularly appears on national television news and debate programs, testifies before congressional committees, authors articles and publications on a variety of economic topics.

The U.S. Chamber represents more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

The I-CAR conference will take place July 28 to 31 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information about the conference and to register, visit www.i-car.com/meetings.