The April Collision Industry Conference week is always a big one for the industry, even though there’s typically no “anchor” trade show scheduled, and repairers finalizing travel plans for next month’s Tennessee gathering might want to consider adding an extra day or two to take full advantage of all that’s happening.

CIC runs 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 (with the reception at 6:30 p.m. that day), and 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 18, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn.

Earlier Wednesday are two can’t-miss Society of Collision Repair Specialists events: the “Repairer Roundtable” from 8:30-11 a.m. with panelists who can speak to developing the kind of workforce repairers need and the SCRS awards and corporate member recognition lunch at 11:15 a.m. (Both SCRS events are free, but you must RSVP.)

But Tuesday, April 16, is also packed with industry events, including a chance to tour Nissan’s flagship U.S. factory in Smyrna, Tenn. However, the 1 p.m. tour is already full, so hurry and RSVP to the 10 a.m. option if you want to take advantage. A shuttle from the hotel will depart at 9 a.m.

After you return from the plant, you’ll definitely want to go to the Society of Collision Repair Specialists open board meeting from 3-5 p.m. at the Davidson A Room at the resort.

“Everyone wishing to learn more about the association’s industry work is encouraged to attend,” SCRS wrote. “The two hour meeting will include updates from SCRS staff, special presentations and updates from SCRS committees, and guests from the industry sharing what they have undertaken on behalf of the membership.”

Got an event? Submit it to RDN’s interactive calendar

Let auto body shops and other Repairer Driven News readers know about your industry event with our free interactive events calendar: www.repairerdrivennews.com/events. Simply click on one of the “Add Event” buttons on the site and upload an event. All we need is a title, date and description, but feel free to fill out some of the optional fields to give the industry more information and make your event stand out. You can even add images (make sure you have the rights to use them) and a location that’ll generate a Google map. After we do quick check for relevance and appropriateness, it’ll be approved to appear on the site.

If you’re a designated voter from one of SCRS’ member businesses, stick around and shape the next SCRS board of directors by voting in the annual election. Members must be present to vote, and there’s still time to become a member of SCRS and vote. SCRS announced Tuesday that seven candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for the four seats which will be open.

Board members Dave Gruskos (Reliable Automotive Equipment, N.J.), Jeff Kallemeyn (Kallemeyn Collision Center, Ill.) and Tim Ronak (AkzoNobel, Calif.) are seeking re-election. The rest of the ballot will be filled by board nominees Todd Gillette (Gillette’s Collision Center, Wis.), Robert Grieve (Nylund’s Collision Center, Colo.), Drue Tomlinson (Don Thorton Collision Center, Okla.) and Josh McFarlin (I-CAR, Calif.) See the bios for all seven here.

That evening, the Collision Repair Education Foundation will also hold its golf fundraiser, but unfortunately, that one’s sold out. (However, there is an event sponsorship available for $300 — your company’s logo can be there and support the next generation of techs, even if you can’t.)

Bracketing the Thursday CIC will be two events, a collision industry prayer meeting from 7-7:30 a.m. and the Collision Industry Foundation’s board meeting at 1 p.m.

More information:

“Nashville, TN to Host Several SCRS Events in April – RSVP by March 29”

Society of Collision Repair Specialists, March 13, 2019

SCRS 2019 board election candidate bios

Collision Industry Conference schedule

Featured image: The Society of Collision Repair Specialists holds its January 2019 open board meeting. (John Huetter/Repairer Driven News)