General Session Agenda

AkzoNobel Updates
various speakers
Technician Focused Solutions for an Industry in Crisis
Dara Goroff, Vice President, Planning & Industry Talent Programming, I-CAR
Arianna Sherlock, Senior Director of Marketing, I-CAR
speaker biography...

Join us for a pivotal General Session presentation presented by I-CAR. We will introduce the I-CAR Talent Programming Initiative, a robust program designed to tackle the ongoing talent crisis facing our industry. This comprehensive initiative offers practical solutions that you can implement immediately to address critical challenges. Over the course of 45 minutes, we will provide a high-level overview of strategies to attract talent to your shop, cultivate a distinctive organizational culture, and enhance your capability to train and retain skilled technicians. This session promises to equip you with actionable insights and strategies essential for navigating and thriving in today’s competitive landscape.

Are You Unknowingly Contributing to the Industry’s Dirty Little Estimate Data Secret?
Pete Tagliapietra
Managing Director, DataTouch, LLC
speaker biography...

Data is the new currency, but who’s cashing in on your data? Shops share their repair data for many beneficial reasons, but often share more than they realize and might not be the only one benefiting from it.

In this informative session, Pete Tagliapietra, managing director of DataTouch, will share how the lack of data and information security is adversely affecting the collision industry.

Topics include:

  • How your repair information can be taken from your computer systems without your knowledge and consent.
  • Who is doing it, and what are the benefits to them.
  • What you can do to stop it and start realizing the benefits that you are currently giving away.

Thinking Outside the Box to Get Paid for Proper Repairs
Mark Olson, CEO Vehicle Collision Experts LLC, President Future Forensics
speaker biography...

There are many tools that can be used to get paid.

Many shops use position statements and other OEM tools to get paid.

Many payors are now ignoring these and still not paying, or not paying enough.

This presentation will cover other tools many shops are unaware of. These include using the insurance policies and the provisions in them, including the appraisal clause for first-party claims, which can get things paid that in the past have not been paid.

Also, using 3rd party tools such as diminished value to close the gap for the proper repair of the vehicle.

The Critical Role of OE Certification in Sustaining Collision Repair Businesses
Christian Ruecker, Vice President, DEKRA North America
Gabriel Morley, Associate Vice President, DEKRA North America
speaker biography...

Christian and Gabriel will discuss the current status of the collision industry, focusing on key trends, technological advancements, and the increasing complexity of repairs. He will address the challenges and emphasize the importance of education and training.

Safety, security, and sustainability are paramount. Christian will explain why OEM certifications are essential for ensuring high-quality repairs and protecting brands, shops, and customers alike. He will also offer insights into accessing repair procedures and the certification process.

Protecting Consumers While Protecting Your Business
Erica L. Eversman, J.D.
Founder Automotive Education & Policy Institute
Consumer Advocate for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
General Counsel for Vehicle Information Services, Inc.
speaker biography...

In the competitive and sometimes frustrating world of auto repair, professionals like you need to have documents and sound business practices in place to manage the complexities of satisfying consumers, providing safe and proper repairs, dealing with insurers, and ensuring compliance with various sets of laws. To navigate this maze, shops can implement the use of professionally-crafted documents to minimize legal exposure, to establish the relationship terms with the customer, and to establish expectations with an insurer. Developing sound documents and documentation practices enables a professional repair facility to streamline daily functions and to minimize potential conflicts.