Collision P.R.E.P. – Class Schedule and Information

Classes will be held throughout the day Thursday and Friday, both classroom and show stage, for you to select and choose based on your interests and needs.  Every person in the modern repair facility will be engaged, informed and challenged by a slate of Nationally-known and recognized speakers.

Two tracks are laid out topically, for Managerial and Technical, so that attendees can plan the sessions most suited to their role. It’s perfect for the Manager/Owner and Estimators/Technicians to choose their path!

| 8:00am  |

KICKOFF KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Presented by: Mike Anderson, Collision Advice

Get revved up with a dynamic energetic keynote from industry champion – the incomparable – Mike Anderson. He is an acclaimed champion of everything that is, or could be, right about the industry. As one of the most knowledgeable people in our field, he can speak straight to the needs of the modern repairer with empowering and thought-provoking candor. 

| 9:45am | 

M: Unlock Hidden Paint and Material Profit in your Collision Center

Presented by: John Shoemaker

Most collision centers limit their profit analysis to a simple “”cost vs. sales”” comparison, overlooking the nuanced factors that drive incremental improvement. This session teaches managers how to move beyond basic accounting to identify missed opportunities, reduce waste, and provide the repair team with the tools needed to document and communicate the full scope of the refinish process.

Key Objectives:

• • Documentation Mastery: Decode the refinish P-pages to ensure every requirement is fully documented and billed.
  • Process Efficiency: Understand how specific finishes dictate unique workflows, preventing costly rework and excess product usage.
  • Data-Driven Oversight: Utilize reporting to monitor mixing accuracy, detect process deviations, and identify specific training needs.
  • Material Accounting: Account for varied liquid costs and unique material requirements that are often absorbed as losses.

T: Importance of Corrosion Protection

Presented by: James Schupp, Technical Manager – Car-Rep

This presentation details the critical “”do’s and don’ts”” of corrosion protection throughout the OEM repair process. Moving beyond mere aesthetics, the session highlights the vital safety implications of proper application for both steel and aluminum substrates.

Key Takeaways:

• • Safety & Integrity: Understand the structural and safety risks associated with improper corrosion management.
  • Material Specifics: Master the nuances of protecting both steel and aluminum to prevent long-term degradation.
  • The “Three W’s”: Learn the exact why, when, and how to implement professional-grade protection during every stage of a collision repair.

| 11:15am | 

M. ADAS, AGRR (Auto Glass Repair & Replacement), Mechanical & Collision: How They all Segue together

Panel Discussion, Moderated by: Kris Griffin, Calibration Consulting Associates

As the automotive industry evolves, the lines between collision, mechanical, and glass repair are blurring. This session explores how these once-separate sectors now intersect, emphasizing that a safe, modern repair requires a holistic understanding of how each specialty affects the overall collision process.

Key Objectives:

• • Cross-Industry Integration: Understand how ADAS, AGRR, and mechanical systems must sync for a complete and safe vehicle restoration.
  • Strategic Subletting: Learn to identify, vet, and maintain high-quality sublet partnerships that align with your shop’s standards.
  • Accountability & Completion: Implement workflows to ensure every facet of a repair—regardless of who performs it—is fully executed and documented.

T: Structural Adhesives & Hybrid Joining Operations

Presented by: Jason Scharton, Global Industry Relations Leader – 3M Collision Repair

This interactive seminar “”demystifies”” the role of structural adhesives in modern vehicle repair, guiding participants through the entire lifecycle of a bond—from initial disassembly to final destructive testing. The session focuses on the critical integration of adhesives with mechanical fasteners to ensure restored vehicles handle crash energy as originally engineered.

Key Objectives:

• • Adhesive Classification: Identify various classes of structural adhesives and their specific applications across different vehicle architectures.
  • OEM Standards: Understand the engineering factors and technical requirements OEMs consider when recommending specific bonding agents.
  • Hybrid Joining Techniques: Master the “”how and why”” of pairing adhesives with spot welding and riveting (weld/rivet bonding) to maintain structural integrity and crash safety.
  • End-to-End Process: Learn best practices for surface preparation, application, cleanup, and verification through destructive testing.

| 2:00pm | 

M. Navigating the OEM Certification Maze: The Pros, Cons, and What’s Worth It

Presented by: Robert Gruskos, VP, Reliable Automotive Equipment

As vehicle technologies and materials rapidly evolve, OEM certifications have become complex, high-stakes investments. This session cuts through the noise to help you build a data-driven strategy for 2026 and beyond, focusing on how to align certification choices with your specific market and business goals.

Key Objectives:

• • Strategic Prioritization: Develop a framework to identify which OEM programs drive the highest volume, profitability, and long-term growth for your shop.
  • Investment Planning: Gain a clear understanding of essential tooling requirements and learn how to accurately predict the total cost of entry.
  • Market Positioning: Build a forward-looking roadmap to navigate evolving requirements and strengthen your competitive edge in a tech-heavy industry.

T. Is it time to Align?

Presented by: Justin Allen, Regional Field Trainer – Hunter Engineering

This session tackles the critical “”make or buy”” decision: whether to invest in in-house wheel alignment and ADAS calibrations or continue subletting. Participants will move past the hype to analyze real-world challenges, technological disruptions, and the logistical impact these services have on both the shop’s bottom line and the customer experience.

Key Objectives:

• • Market Opportunity Analysis: Gain clarity on your local market’s specific demand to determine if the volume justifies the investment.
  • ADAS Technical Proficiency: Improve your comfort level with the complex requirements of modern sensor and camera calibration.
  • Implementation Strategy: Evaluate available technologies and tools designed to streamline the transition and simplify in-house workflows.
  • ROI vs. Subletting: Build a framework to decide whether investing your shop’s energy into these services makes more financial and operational sense than outsourcing.

| 8:00am | 

M: Revolutionizing Customer Intake & Efficiency with AI Powered Solutions

Presented by: James Spears, Head of Automotive, Tractable

In an industry where missed leads equal lost revenue, this session explores how AI-powered visual assessments and “”Instant Quote”” features transform the customer journey. By analyzing real-world case studies from leading MSOs, we demonstrate how to eliminate operational bottlenecks and convert website traffic into high-quality jobs before a customer even walks through your door.

Key Objectives:

• • Automated Lead Management: Learn how AI automates estimate requests to reclaim staff time and significantly reduce appointment no-shows.
  • Lead Conversion & Engagement: Discover how to use instant digital quoting to capture customer interest and secure commitments faster than traditional methods.
  • Seamless Implementation: Master practical, step-by-step strategies for integrating AI-driven intake and repair planning into your existing workflow without causing operational friction.
  • Performance Metrics: Understand how these tools directly improve shop touch time and overall customer satisfaction.

MT: Breathe Easy and Stay Compliant: Environmental and Safety Essentials for Today’s Collision Centers

Presented by: Jason Fritz CSP, Regional Manager, KPA; and Zach Pucillo CSP, CHMM, EHS Compliance Manager, KPA

Modern collision centers face intensifying regulatory scrutiny from OSHA and the EPA. This session provides a deep dive into Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) risks, focusing on the critical areas of respiratory protection and the modernization of hazardous waste tracking. Participants will learn to identify common pitfalls and prepare for the digital transition to the EPA’s e-Manifest system.

Key Objectives:

• • Risk Identification: Recognize the industry’s top compliance vulnerabilities and the specific red flags OSHA inspectors look for during paint and sanding operations.
  • Respiratory Standards: Master OSHA’s specific requirements for respiratory protection to ensure technician safety and avoid heavy citations.
  • Modern Waste Management: Prepare for the shift to RCRAInfo.gov and the EPA’s e-Manifest system, ensuring your shop is ready for digital waste tracking and the latest generator improvement rules.
  • Operational Protection: Use real-world examples and practical checklists to build a robust compliance program that protects both your employees and your bottom line.

| 10:00am | 

MT: The Costs of Not Getting Paid: Changing Tactics in the Changing Marketplace (Peer to Peer)

Presented by: Michael Bradshaw, K&M Collision; Barry Dorn, Dorn’s Body & Paint; and, Kris Burton, Rosslyn Auto Body

In today’s market, the gap between what insurers are willing to pay and the actual cost of a safe, OEM-compliant repair is widening into an existential threat. This peer-to-peer session explores how to break the “”defensive cutting”” cycle and secure the margins necessary to fund the annual retooling and technician development required for 2026 vehicle technology. The session focuses on shifting from a reactive stance to a proactive, documentation-heavy strategy that justifies your shop’s value to both carriers and customers.

Key Objectives:

• • Combatting “AI Scrubbers”: Learn tactical documentation techniques to bypass automated insurer refusals and “slow shop” rollback tactics.
  • The ROI Connection: Understand how suppressed reimbursements directly stifle your ability to invest in the mandatory tooling, specialized training, and apprenticeships needed for modern repairs.
  • Customer Advocacy & Empowerment: Master the art of involving the vehicle owner in the repair process, educating them on OEM requirements to build a unified front against underfunded claims.
  • Strategic Reinvestment: Develop a framework to protect your margins, ensuring your shop remains a viable competitor as material and technology requirements evolve.