Did you Miss the PARTY BUS?

by Jordan Hendler, WMABA Executive Director

Did you miss it, or were you along for the ride?

I’m writing this message in the afterglow of another successful Southeast Collision Conference. We had a great showing from shops in and around the WMABA and Carolina’s Collision Association (CCA) territories, with even broader representation from across the country in conjunction with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). The energy before, during and after SCC was electric; our attendees got to take in all that our April Industry Week had to offer, from eye-opening presentations during the SCRS Open Board Meeting and CIC to two days packed with informative presentations from Collision P.R.E.P. during SCC. Everybody in our education rooms and on the show floor had a great experience, whether they were visiting new vendors (or strengthening relationships with current ones!), learning the latest in products, tech and innovation from our Collision P.R.E.P. presenters, checking out insights and perspectives on the show floor education stage OR having a great conversation and a cocktail during our first-ever industry reception on the SCC floor! If you were part of this year’s show, thank you so much for making the investment in yourself, and in your business and industry. Your support is appreciated by our exhibitors, sponsors, presenters, and of course by WMABA. Events like these are so important, especially in the face of a fluctuating marketplace; the show itself is a fantastic environment for networking and doing business, and the education has been curated specifically to be extra-relevant to the challenges you are facing in your day-to-day. We’ve got a full recap in this issue’s pages, but nothing compares to actually being in the room.

If you weren’t able to make it this year, I’m sorry but you missed out on a really excellent time. But the good news is, just like a party bus, if you missed this one, there will be another one coming! And the even better news is that you have time to prepare, to clear your calendar and make sure you’re there to take in all that SCC will have to offer you as a repairer. Keep reading Hammer & Dolly to stay on top of upcoming events WMABA will be presenting throughout the year, and don’t be left at the bus stop next year. See you soon!

Want more? Check out the June 2026 issue of Hammer & Dolly!