SEMA 2025: A First Look at SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education Series 

by Alana Quartuccio

September is here, and that can only mean one thing – SEMA 2025 is just around the corner.

And of course, that means the BEST collision repairer education around as the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series returns with its comprehensive collection of industry training designed to leave attendees refreshed and energized with new tools and ideas to take back to the shop. 

SCRS’ popular educational series takes place in conjunction with SEMA from November 4 through November 8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

There is much to be excited about this year as the 2025 slate not only features some of the best industry influencers around, but it also welcomes many fresh faces and ideas. 

SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg is really excited for this year’s lineup of presenters. “One of the things that has always been a focus for us is finding ways to bring in new people with new ideas to fill the classrooms to address the issues that are most important to our members and those who attend the show. So, I’m excited that we are able to bring in a lot of new voices from different companies with content on topics important to the collision repair audience.” 

Much like previous years, RDE sessions will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the IDEAS Collide Showcase and the OEM Summit rounding out the programming on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday.

According to Schulenburg, the program highlights key trends in the collision repair industry, including workforce development, advancing automotive technology and developing more customer-centric practices. It even expands on ways for businesses and employees to develop increased financial literacy, expanding on business and personal solutions during challenging economic developments. 

Everything is on deck in this jam-packed series! Subject matter experts will discuss just about every topic related to today’s collision repair world from repair planning to marketing to financial stability and then some. In fact, one session will touch on uncharted territory with a look at how businesses might leverage AI and humanoid robotics. 

SCRS is proud to welcome the following first-time RDE presenters: Kyle Motzkus (Quality Collision Group) and Kyle Neely (Schaeffer Auto Body) will highlight the benefits of “Creating Harmony in the Collision Repair Process through Collaboration,” while Shauna Davis and Jason Horne (Kaizen Glass Solutions) will show attendees how to “Take Control: How Bringing Auto Glass In-House Can Boost Profit and Procedural Compliance.” Maria Quintero (Collision Advice) will talk “Financial Fundamentals for Collision Repair Centers” with Tracy Dombrowski (Collision Advice). Also, newcomer Adi Bathla (Revv) will team up with veteran speaker Josh McFarlin (AirPro Diagnostics) for “Shaping the Future of ADAS in Collision Repair: A Community-Driven Approach,” and Sokal teammates John Burchardt, Jasmine Shaw, Katelyn Shadowens, Andrew Wagner and Garrett Zafuto will educate on “Automotive Advertising: The Road Map to Building a Successful Online Presence.” 

Many familiar faces will also be back, including AkzoNobel’s Tony Adams and Tim Ronak, John Shoemaker (BASF), Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway), Ryan Taylor (BodyShop Booster), Dave Gruskos (Reliable Automotive Equipment), Mike Jones (Discover Leadership Training) and more. 

The IDEAS Collide Showcase – a favorite segment in the series – will also feature a whole new set of fresh faces and ideas. 

Some of the names are familiar, Schulenburg says of WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler (Admin Concepts), John Yoswick (CRASH Network) and Rachel James (Torque Financial), but they have not been featured as part of the program previously. “While they may be known and recognized by everyone, this is a nice way to spotlight their individual thoughts and ideas by having them on the IDEAS Collide stage.” 

Another staple of the RDE Series is the OEM Technology Summit, which will have a slightly different look this year. 

Schulenburg reports that instead of three distinct topics focused on technology and emerging trends with a forward-looking industry aspect, all three segments will share the related theme of safety inspections. The one-and-only Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) will lead all three discussions. It’s intended to be a deep dive into “the technology that requires safety inspections, the OEM expectations around those safety inspections and the actual implementation of that in the repair process, conversation with the customer and how to address it as a business.”

Be sure to look for more details on SCRS’ 2025 RDE Series in next month’s issue of Hammer & Dolly. Meanwhile, don’t waste another minute and sign up for these courses now. Early bird pricing ends on September 27! Visit bit.ly/2025SEMAShow to register.

Want more? Check out the September 2025 issue of Hammer & Dolly!