CIECA has announced its programme and speakers for the CIECA Connex 2022 Conference, which is themed “CIECA Next Gen: Evolving to Meet the Needs of the Collision Industry”. The event will be held in St Louis / St Charles, Missouri, USA, from 13 to 14 September 2022.
Speakers at the event include:
- EV Trends: Mark Allen from Audi of America, Frank Phillips from Rivian, and Jake Rodenroth from Lucid Motors
- Industry Updates: Greg Horn from Parts Trader, Ryan Mandell from Mitchell International, and Pete Tagliapietra from DataTouch
- The Digital Journey: Michael Anderson from Guidewire, Andy Boyd from 3M, James Palmer from Innovation Group, and Ryan Taylor from AMP Bureau
- Emerging Technologies Including 3D Printing, AI And Blockchain: Bill Brower from Solera, Greg Peeters from Car ADAS, Jonathan Pyle from Dents.co, Patrick Schmid from the Institutes, and Jason Verlen from CCC Intelligent Solutions
- Technical Updates: Mike Hastings from Car-Part.com, Andy Bober from Entegral, and Dan Webster from Mitchell International
The conference also includes networking opportunities, a gifting ceremony by the National Auto Body Council (NABC) as part of its NABC Recycled Rides programme, CIECA’s open annual meeting, and a tour of Hunter Engineering.
As with many CIECA events, attendees are eligible to receive credit toward a professional designation from the Automotive Management Institute (AMi).
“With ADAS and autonomous features growing with every model year, and new EV models expected from nearly every major manufacturer, technology is at the forefront of automobile design and the driving experience,” said Paul Barry, CIECA Executive Director. “All of this technology translates into data, and new repair methods, supply chains, and repair procedures.”
Phil Martinez, CIECA Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the conference offers an excellent opportunity to meet and network with leaders from some of the most influential companies in the industry. “We encourage all industry segments to join us for two days of presentations and discussions about emerging technologies, how they impact the collision industry and what CIECA is doing to prepare for the rapidly-changing business environment,” Martinez said.
On the day before the conference, the NABC will hold the Boone Valley Golf Club Fundraiser in Augusta, Missouri.
“We hope CIECA conference attendees will be able attend and help us continue our mission to develop, implement, and promote community-based initiatives that exemplify the professionalism and integrity of the collision repair industry,” said Bill Garoutte, President and CEO of the NABC and the Master of Ceremonies at the conference.