SCRS pleased with SEMA Show, Repairer Driven Education

The SEMA Show, a longstanding event for automotive enthusiasts, embarked on the 2010 show with a first-time focus on the collision repair market through a strategic relationship with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and a dedicated area of the show for collision industry exhibitors. The event organizers worked with SCRS to roll out SCRS' Repairer Driven Education, which cycled more than 125 individuals through two days of educational offerings that covered topics targeted for collision repair professionals.

"Based on the obvious energy and excitement that filled the halls of the show and the feedback we have received from exhibitors, attendees, speakers and show management, this first year initiative is by any measure a tremendous success and significant benefit both for the industry and our association," shared SCRS Chairman Barry Dorn. "SCRS worked incredibly hard this year to put together what we felt would offer the industry a fresh and exciting option for shops looking to step outside of their business to find education, inspiration and ideas that can carry their businesses successfully into the future. This was a first-year effort with strong results given the economy and the uncertainty about launching a new venue within the industry. I am confident that those in attendance believe we accomplished our goals."

In addition to SCRS' involvement and programs, there were I-CAR training classes, the premeire of the I-CAR TechPro World Tour, NABC's Recycled Rides giveaway and First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) program, a Recycled Parts Roundtable discussion hosted by QRP and more than 250 companies exhibiting products to the collision repair industry.

In compliment to the SEMA Show events, collision industry groups held a variety of meetings throughout the week. The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting was one of the most well attended in modern times with close to 400 attendees, including 66 first-time attendees, which was the largest new attendee base ever, according to Jeff Hendler, CIC director. The CIC Achievement Awards Luncheon had more than 300 attendees making it one of the largest in it's history. CIC also hosted one of its largest receptions ever with more than 400 attendees, Hendler said. It was hosted by Assured Performance Network and OEM manufacturers. In addition there were meetings conducted by SCRS, I-CAR, NABC, AASP, the OEM Roundtable and others. More than 11 collision industry groups took advantage of the free meeting space offered to the industry by the SEMA Show and the Las Vegas Hilton, SCRS said.

"SCRS has always been an association that follows the will and direction defined by our members," adds SCRS Vice Chairman Aaron Clark. "As a volunteer on the Board of Directors, and as a shop owner and member, it is personally rewarding for me to see that our decisions are supported by the industry and validated through their participation and attendance. Furthermore, building upon how our organization embraces industry direction, I believe that the significant amounts of feedback we have already received will allow us to expand upon this first year accomplishment, and further amplify our offerings in future years. There is no doubt that this is an exciting time both for SCRS and the industry."

Much like SCRS, SEMA Show organizers have a history of predicating their efforts on attendee input. "We measure our success by the feedback we hear from our strategic partners, exhibitors and attendees," says Peter MacGillivray, VP of Events and Communications for SEMA. "Our collaboration with SCRS and the collision industry enabled us to take a solid step forward in developing a show that serves the industry. Looking forward we'll continue to invest in such resources as world-class education and show features that will attract leading collision repair companies to the annual SEMA Show."

Based upon the success of the 2010 SEMA Show, the collision industry and SCRS are both assured they will have a prominent place within the 2011 SEMA Show, and the expectation from SCRS is that the knowledge and experience gained will aid in surpassing last week's event in size, scope and caliber.

For more information visit www.scrs.com.