AkzoNobel announces sustainability classes at SEMA
AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas (A&AC) will showcase its multi-brand refinish portfolio, industry sustainability platform, and exclusive education classes at SEMA 2013. Select products from the Sikkens, Lesonal, and Wanda brands will be on display in Booth 25043 in the South Hall’s Racing & Performance area. In addition, stickerfix, the first commercial DIY paint solution from AkzoNobel, will be featured in Booth 13049 in the North Hall’s Appearance and Accessories area.
SEMA week will begin for AkzoNobel with a press conference on Monday, Nov. 4 announcing the collision repair industry’s first Sustainability Education Challenge Grant. The grant, sponsored by AkzoNobel and administered by the Collision Repair Education Foundation, was created to stimulate the awareness, development, and delivery of innovative sustainability solutions within secondary and post-secondary institutions. The press conference will precede the AkzoNobel Sustainability Leadership Symposium beginning at 1:00 p.m. in room N231 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The third annual AkzoNobel Sustainability Leadership Symposium is being presented this year, for the first time, as a learning component under the SEMA Education Program. It is free and open to all show attendees. The symposium is comprised of collision repair industry stakeholders discussing key issues and proposing strategies for advancing sustainability. The ultimate goal of this endeavor is to create an independent industry coalition dedicated to the advancement of sustainable business practices within collision repair. Facilitation will be by Mike Shesterkin of What’s Next Sustainability Consulting and Sara Tollin, AkzoNobel global sustainability specialist. Guest panelists include:
- Jay Givens – owner, Givens Collision Repair Center/FIT honouree
- Jeff Butler – owner, Haury’s Lake City Collision/FIT honouree
- Clark Plucinski – executive director, Collision Repair Education Foundation/FIT honouree
- Jake Weyer – editor, Fender Bender Magazine
- Trish Serratore – president, NATEF
- Michael Giarrizio – president and CEO, DCR Systems
- Marcy Tieger – consultant, Symphony Advisors
- Keith Hudd – national manager, The Economical Insurance Group
- Eileen Sottile – vice president of governmental affairs, LKQ Corp.
In addition, three other education programs will be led by AkzoNobel services consultants, Tim Ronak, Scott Wheeler and Bob Gilbert. The classes are entitled: The Future of Cars – Self driving cars fact or fiction, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Competing in a Consolidated Marketplace, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Collision Repair Center Parts Management, Thursday, Nov. 7, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are very excited to have so many unique opportunities to introduce show attendees to our industry-leading refinish brands and sustainability initiatives,” said Laura Costello, director of marketing for AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas. “With the magnitude of SEMA’s global influence in the automotive aftermarket segment, we knew it was the perfect venue to showcase our ongoing commitment to products and practices that are designed to help grow and prosper our industry.”