By Michael Hart
 SEMA and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will present an education program designed for collision-repair professionals at the 2014 SEMA Show. | |
For the fifth year, SEMA and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) will partner on a unique education program designed for collision-repair professionals. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during the Show, SEMA and SCRS will host a full slate of sessions designed to get collision repairers up to date on the latest technology and trends in the industry.
Wednesday, SEMA and SCRS will offer for the first time ever the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit. Through a series of panel discussions, presentations and networking events, 2014 SEMA Show attendees will have the chance to meet and talk with some of the most innovative professionals in automotive structural design and technology.
Attendees will learn about the most important trends emerging in vehicle construction and technology and what these trends could mean to collision-repair professionals.
Owners, managers and professionals in this part of the industry also will have the opportunity to meet face to face with cutting-edge automakers from companies, including Audi, BMW, Ford, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and Tesla.
“We believe there is no topic more captivating of everyone’s attention right now than the rapidly changing landscape of automobile technology and how it is driving adaptation in the marketplace,” said Aaron Schulenburg, SCRS executive director.
In addition to the summit, collision repairers will be able to take advantage of the two-pronged approach organizers of the SCRS education program have taken.
On one hand, they’ll get the latest in techniques and trends affecting their businesses with sessions on everything from aluminum-repair technology to estimating tips and considerations in structural repair labor.
At the same time, sessions designed to help owners and managers grow their businesses will be held. Attendees will learn how to use consumer videos in marketing, manage online reviews and build effective brand strategies in the collision-repair industry.
There are separate registration fees for some sessions in the SCRS education program, but the best value is the Full Series Pass, which gives the pass holder access to every single conference session, the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit and two networking events for $400.
SEMA Show Education Days will feature more than 60 educational sessions in 12 different tracks, ranging from new-vehicle technology to best business practices to marketing strategies and emerging trends in the industry. To see the complete schedule of SEMA Show Education courses and pre-register, visit www.SEMAShow.com/education.