Clearer Vision: Reach Higher with SEMA Show Education
by Alana Quartuccio
It’s true when they say “you don’t know what you don’t know.” Even the most engaged collision repair professional has something new to learn, and t’s no secret that this industry has its fair share of challenges. Work has slowed down for many, causing them to feel as though the future isn’t as bright as it was only a few years back. Advancing technologies are being rolled out left and right at blindingly fast speeds which can easily blur one’s focus on long term goals.
The best pathway to reaching the top is through education. Spending a week at the SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center (November 3 – November 7) is guaranteed to expose collision repairers to a landscape of knowledge and insight that can only be uncovered by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series and the Collision Industry Conference (CIC). Attendees will leave with a clearer vision of how to get their businesses to the peak of performance. Rounding out the week’s can’t-miss events are SCRS’ IDEAS Collide Showcase, OEM Summit and – since one can’t go all the way to Las Vegas and not take part in the industry’s most illuminated events of the year – the Red Carpet awards and SCRS’ Sky Villa After Party!
There is always so much to do and see! Speaking of setting your eyes on new sights, the final CIC of 2025, along with its reception and the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards will be held at the Resorts World Las Vegas casino right on the strip. This exciting new venue is sure to leave attendees with vibrant memories for years to come.
Of course, one must also make time to visit the upper level of the South Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center to scan the many tools and resources available to bring back to the shop to assist your day to day.
Be sure to turn the pages to get all the information you need so you can get a clear image of where you want to be, when to get there and what you want to see, do and learn. The more knowledge you possess, the higher you’ll go. Reach for it all at SEMA 2025.
Tuesday, November 4
On the Agenda:
SEMA Show 9am – 5pm LVCC South Hall
CIC 8am – 5pm Resorts World Las Vegas
RDE Education 9:30am – 4pm LVCC South Hall Skybridge Classrooms
*Catch classes on AI, business finance, repair planning and more!
CIC Reception 6pm Resorts World Las Vegas
Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Night
7:30pm Resorts World Las Vegas
Whether you’ve been in Las Vegas for a few days taking in the many big lights and sights of the city or you just arrived last night, hopefully you are energized and ready for a full day of enlightening discussions via CIC and/or SCRS’ RDE series.
CIC gets off to an early start! Be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to make your way toward Resorts World for an 8am start. As you make your way through the crowd, mingle with industry friends on your way to grab a cup of coffee, find a seat and get ready to hear CIC Chairman Dan Risley kick things off. View full agenda at ciclink.com.
CIC offers some of the most thought-provoking discussions around, but if you prefer direct instruction, plan to spend the day in the LVCC South Hall Skybridge classrooms attending SCRS’ RDE classes.
Get energized first thing by listening to seasoned repair planning expert Kyle Motzkus and Kyle Neely, aka “Blue Collar Kyle,” team up to deliver “Creating Harmony in the Collision Repair Process Through Collaboration” at 9:30am in S229. This eye-opening and engaging discussion will explore how collaboration and common goals can drive success in this industry. This powerhouse duo will bring their expertise and unique perspectives to the table to leave repair professionals with new knowledge on how to use the tools at their disposal and how to navigate challenges.
Your other RDE options from 9:30am to 11am include:
“A Consumer’s Guide to Getting Fully Reimbursed for Automobile Claims” (Tim Ronak and Tony Adams, AkzoNobel) in S230, and
“Take Control: How Bringing Auto Glass In-House Can Boost Profit and Procedural Compliance” (Jason Horne and Shauna Davis, Kaizen Glass Solutions) in S231.
Be sure to grab a bite on the way back to the classrooms by noon so you don’t miss out on “Financial Fundamentals for Collision Repair Centers,” presented by Collision Advice’s Maria Quintero and Tracy Dombrowski who will set out to provide the financial insight one needs to drive their collision center all the way to the top. Shop owners, managers and financial personnel should make this one a priority if they want to get a clearer picture of essential financial principles and best practices for this industry.
Your other 12pm to 1:30pm options include:
“Are You Offering Jobs or Careers?” (Dave Flockhart, BETAG Innovation) in S230, and “OEM Certifications: The Business and Tooling of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” (Dave Gruskos, Reliable Automotive Equipment) in S231.
After you’ve had some lunch, get back to the classrooms by 2pm to get a real glimpse into the future, courtesy of Ryan Taylor (BodyShop Booster) who will introduce all to the evolving world of artificial intelligence with “The AI Robots are Coming: Humanoid Meet and Greet” in S229. Taylor will get attendees acquainted with AI tools that can help streamline operations, enhance precision and change the customer experience.
Your other 2:30pm to 4pm options include:
“Mind Your Business” (Mike Jones, Discover Leadership) in S231, and
“Unlock Hidden Profit: Leverage Missed Operations, Materials and Labor to Transform Your Refinish Department” (John Shoemaker and Phil Knapp, BASF) in S230.
Spend the last hour on the South Hall floor visiting exhibits. Be sure to find time to hit the SCRS booth and check out the exciting addition – a fully immersive welding and refinishing competition powered by Skillveri’s cutting-edge augmented and extended reality training technology.
Competitions will run daily from 9:30am to 11:30 am and from 1pm to 4:30 pm so be sure to find some time to try to earn the title of “Best Welder” or “Best Refinisher” of the week. You’ll have to wait until Friday at 11:30am to find out if you won!
Now that day one is under your belt, it’s time to head to your hotel to get ready to make your way to Resorts World for the CIC reception at 6pm followed by the Red Carpet awards at 7:30pm. A spectacular night surrounded by colleagues and friends is in store!
Wednesday, November 5
On the Agenda:
SEMA Show 9am – 5pm LVCC South Hall
RDE Education 9:30am – 1:30pm LVCC South Hall Skybridge Classrooms
*Catch classes on ADAS, blueprinting, leadership & more!
IDEAS Collide 2:30pm – 4pm LVCC South Hall Skybridge Classrooms
After a fun night of camaraderie and celebration, it’s time to get back to the LVCC South Hall Skybridge Classrooms as day two of SCRS’ RDE Series is about to get underway followed by the can’t-miss IDEAS Collide Showcase!
Before heading into the classrooms, there is time to pop over to the exhibit floor to visit vendors and pick up brochures along the way.
Once armed with breakfast and coffee, march your way over to S230 for “Winning Leadership: Influence, Impact and Driving Results in Collision Repair,” presented by Sheryl Driggers (Collision Advice). Leadership is less about titles these days and more about influence, impact and the ability to drive results. Driggers will show attendees the key characteristics of winning leaders and how to grow into a leader who can inspire trust, accountability and team buy-in.
Your other 9:30am to 11pm RDE options are:
“Automotive Advertising: The Road Map to Building a Successful Online Presence” (Katelyn Shadowens, Jasmine Shaw, Andrew Wagner, John Burchard and Garrett Zafuto, Sokal) in S231, and
“Shaping the Future of ADAS in Collision Repair: A Community-Driven Approach” (Adi Bathla, Revv and Josh McFarlin, AirPro Diagnostics) in S229.
After a quick lunch break and perusing of the South Hall, make your way back to the classrooms by noon for “Accuracy Unlocked: Empower Your Team with Data, Tools and Clear Plan to Develop Their Best Blueprints,” given by Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway) in S230. Learn how to effectively utilize various industry resources to capture the necessary data for accurate and efficient repair plans from one of the leading experts in the industry.
Your other options for 12pm to 1:30pm include:
“The Body Shop Business Trifecta: A Roadmap to Build Generational Wealth” (Bill Park, Crunchit Financial Services) in S229, and “The Unseen Effect of Bonus Plans in Your Shop” (Andrew Batenhorst, Pacific BMW and Melissa Wolfe, Leader’s Way) in S231.
Take advantage of the hour-long break to get some lunch, visit exhibitors or check out the competitive action in the SCRS booth, but be sure to be back to S229 by 2:30 for one of the most popular RDE segments – the IDEAS Collide Showcase.
Micki Woods of Micki Woods Marketing and host of The Body Bangin’ Podcast will serve as emcee of this engaging segment featuring eight presenters who have never before appeared on this stage. Jordan Hendler (Admin Concepts/WMABA) will deliver “Get Far, Stacking Millimeters Towards Progress.” Joe Rector (Entegral) will speak about “A Harmonized Auto Claims Ecosystem,” while Richie Seaberry (Decisely) will present “Modernizing Your HR and Employee Benefits.” 3M’s Shawn Collins will address “Taking Your Apprentice Technicians to the Next Level with Hands on Travel,” Rachel James (Torque Financial Group) will give “Decoding the Role of the CFO,” and Kaye Gitbin (GO Rentals) will share “Elevating the Client Experience in Collision Repair: Hospitality-Driven Strategies for Repeat Business and Referrals.” Last but not least, veteran collision industry journalist John Yoswick (CRASH Network) will explore “Three Minutes to Help Drivers Make Better Insurance Choices.”
Well, now that the daytime’s educational agenda is through, it’s time to hit the town with colleagues for some evening exploration.
Thursday, November 6
On the Agenda:
SEMA Show 9am – 5pm LVCC South Hall
SCRS OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit
12:30 – 4:30pm LVCC South Hall Skybridge Classrooms
SCRS Sky Villa RDE Afterparty 9pm – 12am
Westgate Las Vegas Casino Resort, Verona Suite *Registration Required
Thursday’s agenda leaves your morning open to spend more time on the exhibition floors. While doing that, be sure to visit the SCRS booth once again to grab your ticket to one of the hottest parties in town, kicking off at 9pm in the Verona Suite at the Westgate Hotel.
By 12:30pm, you’ll want to be seated in S233 for SCRS’ OEM Technology Summit. This year’s event has a slightly different spin as all three sessions will be centered around one of the most concerning topics around – OEM safety inspections.
Moderated by the one-and-only Mike Anderson (Collision Advice), the series will focus on the impact OEM safety inspections have on steering columns, seatbelts, airbags and ADAS, leaving attendees with an understanding of OEM requirements, how to implement safety inspections and how to prioritize safety for vehicle owners.
Panelists will include Gerry Rosenbarker (Mohawk Auto Group), Tyler Foote (Mohawk Collision Center) and Tyler Smith (Rick’s Paint and Body).
Now that you’re inspired and full of knowledge to take back to the shop Monday, it’s time to relax and unwind. Explore the Las Vegas Strip, meet friends for dinner and then make your way to the SCRS Afterparty and make it a night to remember!
Friday, November 7
On the Agenda:
SEMA Show 9am – 4pm LVCC South Hall
SEMA FEST Doors open @ 3pm LVCC Bronze Lot
The week is almost all wrapped up. As you begin to pack and get ready to head home, take a last lap around the exhibit halls or meet colleagues for lunch.
Staying in town one more night? Be sure to visit semashow.com and get all the details you’ll need for SEMA Fest – the be all and end all celebration featuring music by rock legends Queens of the Stone Age, the Black Crowes and Neon Trees!
SEMA 2025 may be over, but the knowledge and insight you gained this week have given you the vision to see a clear path all the way to the very top!
Now that you’re prepared for a jam-packed week of activities, be sure to sign up for RDE courses by visiting scrs.com/rde. Attend CIC by registering at ciclink.com.
Want more? Check out the November 2025 issue of Hammer & Dolly!