Prepare to Win: Southeast Collision Conference Returns April 23-24

by Alana Quartuccio

“Winning is the science of being totally prepared.”

              – George Allen, acclaimed football coach

Collision repair is not an easy game. It takes strategy and skill to get past the interference brought on by insurance companies or the various hurdles advancing technology puts into play.

Collision repair professionals need to develop a power play toward their ultimate goal – and the best way to prepare to win is by taking full advantage of the excellent educational opportunities via WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. (Professional Repairer Education Program) to be held exclusively during the Southeast Collision Conference (SCC) April 23-24 in Charlotte, NC.

For the fourth consecutive year, WMABA has teamed up with Carolina’s Collision Association (CCA) to bring one of the industry’s most anticipated events to the Mid-Atlantic region. Every year, the show alternates between Virginia and North Carolina in order to best serve members in both regions.

SCC makes its return to North Carolina for 2026 for the show’s debut in the “Queen City” of Charlotte. The Embassy Suites Charlotte Concord Hotel will serve as the backdrop for this year’s event as well as the spring Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) Open Board Meeting, making it a worthwhile trip for WMABA members who want to seriously increase their performance to top speed. (Speaking of speed – be sure to check out the Charlotte Motor Speedway located just a quarter mile from the hotel!)

SCC – literally – has all the right tools to maximize your performance! The trade show floor will feature the latest innovations and equipment from some of the industry’s most recognizable vendors, Collision P.R.E.P. will educate and elevate, and the discussions to be had at CIC and during the SCRS Board meeting will inspire and enlighten even the most seasoned repair professional.

It’s a week of non-stop action beginning on April 21 with the SCRS Open Board Meeting taking place from 2pm to 5pm. WMABA is an affiliate member of the national organization; any collision repair professional interested in learning more about the association’s work is welcome to attend.

Be sure to reserve April 22 for all of CIC’s events. Panel discussions will be held throughout the day, and the event is always followed by a 6pm reception which is a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues over cocktails. (Missed the January CIC in Palm Springs? Turn to page 12 for the full recap and to get prepared for April!)

This year’s Collision P.R.E.P. slate is designed to cover all the bases. From AI-powered solutions to tackling the technician shortage and everything in between, auto body professionals are sure to return home with valuable solutions to be put toward success.

It all begins on day one of SCC with a man who needs no introduction. Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) is one of the most – if not the most – recognized and sought-after presenters around. A native of the WMABA community, Anderson returns to his home turf to kick off Collision P.R.E.P. with his energetic brand of instruction that is sure to have audience members hollering “Amen!” Get ready to clap your hands, jump out of your chair and listen up as Anderson delivers the latest industry trends.

Educational seminars and panel discussions will be held in the classrooms and also on the stage right in the center of the trade show floor! This year’s slate has something for every role in the shop – owners, managers, estimators, technicians and future leaders. The courses are laid out by topic – managerial and technical – so attendees can map out the course of action that best suits their needs.

On Thursday, classroom education will run from 8am to 3:15pm and then pick up on the show floor stage with presentations between 3:30pm and 6pm. On Friday, classroom educators will present from 8am to 11am and from 9:30am to noon on the trade show stage. (See the full schedule on page 27.)

John Shoemaker, another familiar face from the WMABA region, returns to the SCC stage to present “Unlock Hidden Paint and Material Profit in your Collision Center.”

Many collision centers may be leaving a lot of money on the table when it comes to paint and material costs. The WMABA Board member and lifelong industry professional plans to teach shop 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.

Industry leaders from various sectors will weigh in on a panel designed to address the changes in the automotive industry that have now blurred the lines between collision, mechanical and glass repair. Panelists will explore how ADAS, auto glass repair and replacement (AGRR) and mechanical systems must sync for a complete and safe vehicle restoration.

OEM certifications are quite an investment in time and money. One can’t expect to dive in and emerge a champion without doing the proper research of their shop’s market and identifying business goals before deciding which certifications to pursue. Presented by Robert Gruskos (Reliable Automotive Equipment), “Navigating the OEM Certification Maze: The Pros, Cons and What’s Worth It” will help repair professionals identify which OEM programs will provide the best in profitability and long-term business growth.

Post-repair inspections are becoming a standard industry safeguard; therefore, it’s important to master corrosion protection for long term repair integrity and liability management. Jason Scharton (3M Collision Repair) will take the stage to address repairers about the “hidden” areas mandated by OEMS – such as narrow channels and welded flanges – that are frequently missed but critical for protecting the vehicle owner’s investment and the shop’s reputation.

Michael Bradshaw (K&M Collison; Hickory, NC), Barry Dorn (Dorn’s Body and Paint; Mechanicsville, VA) and WMABA President Kris Burton (Rosslyn Auto Body; Alexandria, VA) will team up once again at SCC for a peer-to-peer session on “The Cost of Not Getting Paid: Changing Tactics in the Changing Marketplace.”

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. The session will explore 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.

Missed leads equals lost revenue. James Spears (Tractable) will deliver “Revolutionizing Customer Intake and Efficiency with AI Powered Solutions,” exploring how AI-powered visual assessments and “instant quote” features can transform the customer journey. Spears will demonstrate how to eliminate “operational bottlenecks” and convert website traffic into high-quality jobs even before the customer walks into the shop.

Shops all across the nation have been struggling to get the right players on their team for years now. The Collision Engineering Career Alliance will take the SCC stage to share how a new national training model is reshaping the way collision repair talent is recruited, prepared and retained. The program was built in response to the industry-wide technician shortage. It unites industry and education to deliver a “workforce-ready pipeline” built via hands-on learning, apprenticeship and industry-defined curriculum.

Another returning SCC veteran, Rick Selover (GARMAT USA Spray Booths) will expose the three “root sources” of refinish contamination that could be slowing down production and impacting your shop’s dollars with his stage session, “Eliminating the Costs of Contamination: 2026 Update.”

And what better way to close out a major industry event than with a celebration? A growing tradition at SCC, both WMABA and CCA leaders will take the stage April 24 at noon to present education grants and tool kits to up-and-coming technicians in their respective communities – a great opportunity to honor hard-working students who are committed to making collision repair a career.

Speaking of traditions, it wouldn’t be an SCC event without an official kickoff celebration, so be sure to clear the evening of April 23 for the social event of the year – this year, happening right on the show floor! Not only is it a night of cocktails and good conversation, but it offers WMABA and CCA the opportunity to honor members of their respective auto body associations with Board Member of the Year and Most Improved Shop of the Year recognition.

So, what are you waiting for? Make 2026 your best year yet by going the extra mile – all the way to North Carolina for SCC!

For more information and to register for SCC, visit southeastcollisionconference.com. To register for CIC, visit ciclink.com, and for more information on SCRS, visit scrs.com.

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