The automotive aftermarket industry's annual gathering offered another full day of eye-popping builds, innovative products and educational sessions.
The 2023 SEMA Show offered plenty more to see and do its second day, Nov. 1, including informative sessions to help collision repair professionals grow their businesses and a moving donation of refurbished vehicles to local residents chosen by nonprofits.
Missed our Day 1 recap and photo gallery? See it here.
Red Carpet Awards and CIC 40th Anniversary Gala
The Collision Repair Industry Red Carpet Awards were held the evening of Oct. 31, coinciding with a gala celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), held earlier that day.
Among the annual awards announced were those sponsored by CIECA, I-CAR, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and the National Auto Body Council (NABC).
NABC Recycled Rides Presentation
The NABC Recycled Rides program presented seven restored vehicles to deserving Las Vegas residents, including U.S. military veterans, a brain cancer survivor, a single parent and former foster kids who aged out of the system, all of whom needed help securing reliable transportation.
The vehicles were unveiled on the roof of the Renaissance Hotel parking garage, overlooking the SEMA Show’s outdoor exhibits. Also attending the presentations were all car donor, insurance and repairer partners.
SCRS RDE Series
SCRS is offering more than a dozen Repairer Driven Education sessions during the show.
Among those covered by Autobody News writers were sessions investigating the “death” of the estimator role and what body shop owners and other industry partners can do to ensure there are enough skilled technicians in five years.
In another session, CIC Chairman Frank Terlep of Opus IVS offered what he called the “formula for business success,” considering current events. Terlep challenged attendees to rethink how they lead and manage their organizations, how they “keep score,” how they create and measure business processes, and how they select and implement technology to drive business processes and employee productivity.
Another panel, moderated by Greg Peeters of Car ADAS Solutions, featured owners and operators of ADAS calibration centers talking about the challenge and opportunities in launching such businesses.
More Custom Builds
The Autobody News team also roamed the Central Hall, home to the hugely popular Racing Performance exhibitors and Hot Rod Alley. See the photo gallery from Day 2 below.
Stay tuned to autobodynews.com or pick up your region's December issue for full coverage of all of these stories from SEMA and more.
Abby Andrews