Driven Brands launched its first U.S. collision repair joint conference this past weekend, according to a press release.
The event, titled the Evolution 2023 conference, began on September 28 and ran through September 30. Taking place at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, the event hosted Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA franchise partners, as well as Driven Brands team members, vendors, and industry leaders.
Prior to the event’s launch, a Recycled Rides presentation was held for three women based in the Orlando area, using vehicles donated by GEICO and refurbished by CARSTAR Collimotive Center and CARSTAR Superior Auto Body.
Brand-specific cocktail receptions for CARSTAR, Fix Auto USA, and Abra were held to kick off the event before Hannah Whitesides, SVP of P&C marketing at Driven Brands, welcomed everyone as emcee before Driven Brands collision repair leaders Sabrina Thring and Damien Reyna took the stage.
Leadership speaker and New York Times bestselling author Jon Acuff then gave his keynote presentation before an opening night party was held. Whiskey tasting, cigar rolling, axe throwing, a live jazz band, and more festivities were held, as well as a dunk tank of Driven Brands Collision Group VPs for charity and a 50/50 raffle that raised over $6,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Friday featured retired Chicago Bears linebacker and renowned keynote speaker Matt Mayberry and an OEM panel led by Dirk Fuchs focused on the current and future state of EVs. Presentations on marketing and DrivenAdvantage and breakout sessions for the franchise partners were held, followed by a vendor tradeshow and awards gala later in the day.
