Eyeing Changes on the Horizon: SEMA 2025 Preview

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

It’s just about time to pack those bags and head to Las Vegas for the 2025 SEMA Show on November 4-8, where there will be plenty to unpack besides that luggage as collision repairers can anticipate another great year learning about the industry’s latest products, innovations and trends – both on the trade show floor at the Las Vegas Convention Center and in the classroom.

As usual, the educational slate being presented by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) features forward-focused thought leaders who will provide guidance on how the evolution of technology and customer service expectations will next modify the way shops do business. In keeping with that tradition of metamorphosis, both agendas will see some significant changes that may change attendees’ viewpoints, figuratively and literally.

For starters, CIC (taking place on Tuesday, November 4) will see a variance in venue as conference aficionados head across the Las Vegas Strip to Resorts World Las Vegas for a full day of festivities. This year’s meetings have offered repairers future-focused discussions and networking opportunities, and the final CIC of 2025 promises to maintain that momentum as participants from all industry segments – including repairers, insurers, paint/material companies, equipment, vehicle manufacturers, data providers, representatives of trade associations and more – gather for the express purpose of discussing and exploring the issues that occur among them. Through discussion and research during meetings and extensive interim committee work, CIC attempts to form consensus on various issues, aware that all such findings are nonbinding and voluntarily accepted. 

After filling attendees’ heads with ideas for improving their businesses during the day, CIC’s day of education will evolve into an ideal networking opportunity at 6pm during the CIC reception, which offers a chance to unplug, unwind…and maybe even wine a little while preparing to raise a glass to the industry’s movers and shakers as they are recognized during the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards which will following the reception.

SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series will feature some new faces in 2025 (see the RDE preview at grecopublishing.com/hd0925ntlnews2), as the program seeks to highlight key trends in the collision repair industry, including workforce development, advancing automotive technology and developing more customer-centric practices, while simultaneously expanding on ways for businesses and employees to develop increased financial literacy.

However, Wednesday afternoon’s IDEAS Collide Showcase puts eyes on a brand-new set of ideas with eight presenters who have never before appeared on this unique stage. 

SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg looks forward to “introducing attendees to a number of really phenomenal speakers who will rattle the status quo with ambitious ideas that could have a transformative effect on the industry and your business.”

Although some names will certainly sound familiar – such as WMABA’s Jordan Hendler, Rachel James (Torque Financial Group) and John Yoswick of CRASH Network – Schulenburg is excited for these first-timers “to spotlight their individual thoughts and ideas on the IDEAS Collide stage” with “TED Talk” styled, fast-paced presentations which are designed to stimulate thought, innovation and resolution of business challenges with brash, outspoken and provoking concepts from thought leaders both in and out of the industry.

Emceed by Micki Woods, president of Micki Woods Marketing and host of The Body Bangin’ Podcast, the 2025 Showcase includes a look at everything repairers should be considering in today’s market and beyond.

Hendler (WMABA / Admin Concepts, Inc.) will kick things off with “Get Far, Stacking Millimeters Towards Progress” as she explores the necessity of flexibility in setting and achieving goals. She insists, “Movement toward achieving goals doesn’t come all at once, but in the daily and weekly pursuit of the smaller, achievable wins.”

How are rapidly evolving mobility trends disrupting traditional business models? Joe Rector (Entegral) will examine how collaboration among industry stakeholders can drive customer and employee satisfaction, reduce cost and friction and contribute to a safe and proper repair during “Toward an Integrated and Open Ecosystem: Envisioning the Future of the Auto Claims Ecosystem.”

Attendees will learn all about “Modernizing Your HR and Employee Benefits” as Richie Seaberry (Decisely) shares ways that collision repair business leaders can become empowered and strengthen workplace culture by leveraging cutting-edge technology, dedicated employee-level support and world-class benefits offerings. While benefits help retain key employees, shops first need to attract and develop their technicians, and 3M’s Shawn Collins will offer advice on “Taking Your Apprentice Technicians to the Next Level with Hands-On Training.” 

An increasing number of businesses have begun adding the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) over the past two years, but what does a CFO really do? James will examine this growing trend and offer considerations for defining who, what, where, when and how to hire the right person for the right role objectives during “Decoding the Role of CFO.”

Kaye Gitibin (GO Rentals) plans to explore shops’ need to go beyond technical expertise to win customer loyalty in today’s competitive collision repair landscape. “Elevating the Client Experience in Collision Repair: Hospitality-Driven Strategies for Repeat Business and Referrals” will focus on the intersection of customer service and hospitality, offering strategies that collision centers can implement to enhance the customer experience by moving away from the impression of collision repair as a transactional service and creating a welcoming, customer-centered experience.

Veteran industry journalist John Yoswick rounds out this year’s IDEAS Collide presenters as he examines how shops can benefit by investing just “Three Minutes to Help Drivers Make Better Insurance Choices.” Shops “know not all insurance companies are the same when it comes to handling claims and the customer experience,” according to Yoswick, who offers “an easy way you can communicate that knowledge to consumers.” He suggests that in just three minutes a year, shops can send a clear message to drivers considering their insurance choices – and help increase the number of your customers who have chosen one of the better carriers. At the same time, you’ll help the better insurance companies promote themselves – and maybe give the other insurers some incentive to change!

SCRS’ 2025 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit will also look a bit different this year. While it will still consist of three back-to-back presentations on Thursday afternoon, beginning at 12:30pm, for the first time ever, all of the sessions will be centered around one topic – OEM Safety Inspections – and each session will uniquely focus on the ways in which OEM safety inspection procedures affect vehicle technology, consumer interaction, repair quality and safety restoration. Industry icon Mike Anderson (Collision Advice) will facilitate the Summit through its entirety as he welcomes unique presenters and panelists from automakers, collision repair businesses and suppliers, who will collectively contribute to a better understanding of the emerging trends and necessary collision industry response to prioritize the restoration of vehicle safety in the repair process.

Schulenburg believes this conversation “comes at a critical time, as safety inspections find themselves being routinely challenged by carriers both in the claims process and in legislative halls.” Panelists and contributors will be introduced closer to the show.

“When we zoom out and look at the program as a whole – from each interwoven OEM Summit session, the RDE classrooms and the IDEAS Collide Showcase – there’s a lot of common thread woven between topics, all tying together how we are able to serve the consumer well,” Schulenburg observes. “I’m really excited about the topics we’ll cover in the 2025 program and the impact we can make in the industry through that exchange of information.”

After the education ends, the party begins on Thursday night with the most-talked-about collision networking event at SEMA each year: the SCRS RDE Afterparty, where collision repairers have a chance to rise to new heights…literally! The palatial 15,400-square-foot Verona Sky Villa, located in the Westgate, offers a taste of luxury to round out the week of education and exploration. In addition to providing amazing views of the Strip, it gives guests a great opportunity to relax and catch up with industry friends. Tickets are limited, and early registration is encouraged.

There’s tons to see and do at SEMA each year, so set your sights on the future success of your shop by making plans to start your trek upward…the view is so much better from the top!

Registration is now open to automotive and collision industry professionals for the 2025 SEMA Show and SCRS’ RDE, IDEAS Collide and OEM Summit at bit.ly/2025SEMAShow; get the best possible deal on your collision education with the SCRS Full Series Pass, which includes access to one regular session in each available RDE time slot, the IDEAS Collide Showcase, all three sessions of the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit and one ticket to the SCRS Sky Villa Afterparty. And in yet another update to this year’s SEMA, anyone who forgot to include educational sessions during their initial registration can go back and add classes via the registration resource center.

Learn more about CIC and register to attend at ciclink.com. Stay tuned to Hammer & Dolly for additional updates leading up to the Show and a recap following SEMA 2025.

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