NATIONAL FEATURE

WHAT DO SCRS AND CIC HAVE IN STORE FOR INDUSTRY WEEK IN RICHMOND?

Collision repairers can always expect an inspiring opportunity to expand their knowledge and professionalism when the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) come to town. And both organizations are giving plenty of reasons for auto body experts to anticipate even more frills and thrills during Industry Week in Richmond, VA later this month.

For SCRS members and affiliates, the week begins on the evening of Tuesday, April 11 with SCRS’ in-person candidate introduction and annual election. Results from the election will be announced the following morning at the SCRS Open Board meeting on Wednesday.

In addition to including updates from the association, the April Open Board meeting will feature “a special educational session from 10:15am-11:30am, in collaboration with the Virginia Bureau of Insurance (BOI) and the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI),” according to SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg. “SCRS has invited Commissioner Scott White (VA) and Commissioner Mike Causey (NC) to present to our member businesses about the activities their offices engage in while serving auto insurance consumers.”

In addition to his role as VA Commissioner of Insurance, White was also elected Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in December 2022. Prior to being elected as NC Insurance Commissioner, Causey served the collision repair industry and consumers as an advocate and lobbyist, representing several associations in the Southeast region.

“The meeting will focus on the two entities elaborating on the mission and objectives of their departments in order to help create a better understanding of the tools and resources available to aid consumers and businesses when they encounter challenges in the insurance claims process,” Schulenburg explains. “This may include discussing tasks such as policy language approval as well as capabilities and limitations in fielding and addressing consumer complaints.

“Following the presentation, we will address questions in a town hall style format, so that repairers can communicate to the offices about challenges they face in their own obligations to serve the consumer well,” he adds. “Ideally, the exchange will identify if the departments can play a role in effectively remedying any of those challenges.”

But the day isn’t over yet! CIC starts out on Wednesday afternoon with sessions continuing on Thursday morning from 8am-noon. The largest forum for the inter-industry to gather and discuss current issues impacting collision businesses always features a jam-packed agenda, but rather than make your head spin with all the nitty-gritty details, here are just a few teasers of what you can expect:

The Emerging Technologies Committee will be presenting on the “Electric Vehicle (EV) and Hybrid Vehicle Intake Process” with moderator Chuck Olsen (AirPro Diagnostics) and panelists Dirk Fuchs (I-CAR), Jake Rodenroth (Lucid Motors), Mark Allen (Audi) and others. These high-tech vehicles can be dangerous, especially after they’ve been in an accident…Is your repair facility equipped and prepared to properly receive and prepare high-voltage EV and hybrid vehicles for repair and/or salvage? Was the vehicle correctly prepared for transport to the shop? This session will cover everything from first responders’ initial assessment to towing and transport and even the shop’s intake process, including further inspection, assessment and monitoring/ maintaining HV systems and components during repair processes.

Looking at EVs from another angle, the Governmental Committee will engage in a discussion about the “Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” both of which have been signed into law during the Biden Administration and include significant provisions for EVs. Attendees will learn about EV tax credits for new and used electric vehicles, EV charging equipment tax credits, federal investment and charging station infrastructure and how these two

BY CHASIDY RAE SISK

pieces of legislation will impact the collision industry.

Most involved in the claims and repair sectors in the collision industry would agree that the supplement process is one of the biggest challenges in repairing cars properly and efficiently while satisfying the consumer. Facilitated by Industry Relations Committee Co-Chair Jim Keller (1Collision), the panel for “The Supplement Challenge” will consist of two insurers and two repairers who will share their thoughts on the supplement process and how the industry can collaboratively improve the process.

During the Estimating Committee’s presentation, Chair Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway) and guests will explore who is talking to the customer and what that discussion sounds like with guidance on how to have a more productive repair consultation by setting realistic expectations in the repair process involving a claim.

SCRS and CIC events on April 11-13 will take place at the Omni Richmond Hotel, but once CIC ends, don’t miss out on two more days of education and exhibition at the Southeast Collision Conference! (See page 24 for more details.)

For more information about SCRS, visit scrs.com. Learn more about CIC at ciclink.com H&D

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 (Eastern Standard Time)

Omni Richmond | Richmond, Virginia

12:30 - 1:15p Opening Introduction [Frank Terlep]

CIC Kick Off!

1:15 - 2:30p Emerging Technologies Committee [Chuck Olsen]

EV and Hybrid Vehicle Intake Process - Is the repair facility equipped and prepared to properly receive and prepare High Voltage EV/Hybrid vehicles for repair and/or salvage? Was the preparation of the vehicle for transport to repair facility executed correctly? How do you know? This session will cover several areas from an initial assessment at scene from first responders, tow/transport, and tagging of vehicle for intake process at a repair facility for further inspection, assessment and monitoring/ maintaining HV systems and components during repair processes.

2:30 - 2:45p Marketing Council [Jordan Hendler]

Marketing, Admin Announcements - New attendees shout-out! Update on the CIC 40th Anniversary, social interactions, and endeavors to improve the industry engagement.

2:45 - 3:30p Special Presentation [Sean O’Malley, IIHS]

IIHS Update on Testing of EVs and ADAS Calibrations - Quick overview of the what’s and why’s about IIHS. Overview of ADAS and Calibration testing/results being performed by IIHS. An update on any new crash testing procedures based on new vehicle design and technologies. Overview of recent EV testing and results: Any changes in testing based on Covid and post Covid driving habits, Any info on testing results related to new vehicle construction and materials

3:30 - 3:45p Q&A and Open Mic

3:45 - 4:05p AFTERNOON BREAK - Thank our Sponsors!

4:05 - 4:50p Governmental Committee [Bob Redding, Janet Chaney]

Impact of Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on the Collision Repair Industry - A discussion about the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which have both been signed into law during the Biden Administration and each have significant provisions for Electric Vehicles (EVs). The panel will discuss EV tax credits for new and used electric vehicles, EV charging equipment tax credits, federal investment and charging station infrastructure, and how this legislations will impact the collision industry.

4:50 - 5:05p Q&A and Open Mic

5:05 - 5:30p Closing Comments, Adjourn Session 1 [Frank Terlep]

6:30p CIC Reception