Episode #195- Industry Tradeshows... are you going?

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Episode Notes: 

The Season of Transformation: Conference & Tradeshow Season

Trade show and conference season is officially upon us in the collision repair industry, and it's the perfect time to make a commitment that could transform your business. 🚗💥 After spending decades with my head down working, I finally started attending industry events after the pandemic and found myself asking, "Why did I wait so long?" 🤷‍♂️
 
 These “don’t-miss events” offer 4 game-changing benefits you simply can't get anywhere else. 🔑

1st, you'll discover what's new – the latest tools, equipment, and repair methods essential for safely fixing today's complex vehicles with their advanced safety systems and EV technology. 🔍 No parts guy, paint jobber or tool truck is bringing all that knowledge directly to your shop. 

2nd, educational opportunities abound through classes and workshops covering everything from production improvements to ADAS center requirements. 👨‍🎓 This isn't a cost… NO – it's an investment… with substantial returns. 

3rd, keynote speakers and industry leaders like Mike Anderson and Dave Luehr, and several others, deliver wisdom that can literally change your professional trajectory. 

And finally… 🤝 networking connects you with successful peers whose insights can dramatically improve your operations – remember, your network equals your net worth. 💰

Whether you choose large events like SEMA in Vegas, quarterly CIC meetings, regional gatherings like the Southeast Collision Conference, Northeast, ABAT or local association meetings, ❗ the important thing is to attend at least 1 this year. 

✔ Check your ego at the door, immerse yourself in new possibilities, and watch your business transform. If you've been putting this off year after year, make this season different. And if you see me wandering around an event, please come say hello – I'd love to connect and hear your story! 🗣

 

 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
So if you're part of this rapidly changing,
constantly challenging butextremely exciting and rewarding
collision industry and my guessis, if you're listening to this
, you probably are whether shopowner, equipment manufacturer,
vendor, technician, you knowdamn well what season it is
right now, right, we're at thestart of conference and trade
show season.
I mean, I can't believe it'salready been four months since

(00:22):
SEMA in Vegas Seems like I wasjust there.
The Collision IndustryConference has already had its
first quarterly event in PalmSprings and the conferences are
stacking up.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
Welcome to the MindWrench Podcast with your
host, rick Sellover, where minoradjustments produce major
improvements in mindset,personal growth and success.
This is the place to be everyMonday, where we make small
improvements and take positiveactions in our business and
personal lives that will make amajor impact in our success,

(00:57):
next-level growth and quality oflife.

Speaker 1 (01:05):
Hey, what's up everybody.
Welcome to the MindWrenchPodcast.
I'm your host, rick Silover.
Thanks so much for stopping in.
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I hope you find something ofvalue here that helps you in
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(01:47):
you never miss another episode.
You know, last year I talkedabout this subject and it
generated some really goodresponse, and I thought here we
are again, you know, at thestart of the trade show and
conference season, and I thoughtthis is just a good message
that everybody in this industryshould really hear this week.
I wanted to share a quickmessage with all of you about
something that's been on my mindthe last several weeks.

(02:08):
Just a brief, something Iwanted to share, as the days are
getting a little longer,spring's right around the corner
and our schedules start fillingup with those important things
that we want to accomplish thisyear, as well as planning maybe
a little PTO and possibly alittle travel right?
So if you're part of thisrapidly changing, constantly
challenging but extremelyexciting and rewarding collision
industry and my guess is, ifyou're listening to this, you

(02:31):
probably are whether shop owner,equipment manufacturer, vendor,
technician, you know damn wellwhat season it is right now,
right, we're at the start ofconference and trade show season
.
I mean, I can't believe it'salready been four months since
SEMA in Vegas Seems like I wasjust there.
The Collision IndustryConference has already had its
first quarterly event in PalmSprings, and the conferences are

(02:54):
stacking up.
All the popular industryspeakers like Mike Anderson,
dave Luer, john Shoemaker andDanny Grettenberg, just to name
a few, already have a bookedschedule of appearances this
year, as well as a host of newspeakers and industry leaders
looking to share their knowledgewith the rest of the collision
world.
Now, if you have not everattended one of these events yet
and you are interested in thefuture of our industry.

(03:15):
My best advice is to get yourass out there this year and
start attending some of theseconferences and, trust me on
this, you have no idea whatyou're missing out on.
Really, all it takes is oneexperience Visiting a couple
vendor booths and getting theskinny on the latest equipment,
or listening to the wisdom ofone of those top speakers I
mentioned, making contact withsome of your peers and sharing

(03:38):
the stories and tactics thatmake other shops and your shop
special, or just getting out ofyour shop for a day or two and
seeing what's possible for youand your business you will get
hooked.
As someone that spent his wholeentire career in the collision
business, I worked for decadesnever really engaging our
industry outside my normaleveryday work life, except for
an occasional trade show Back inthe 90s.

(04:00):
They used to have trade shows.
All the time I just kind ofstayed in my comfort zone, you
know, kept my head down, justworked my ass off and sure.
I went to an occasional paintcompany meeting where I listened
to some great keynote speakers,as I've spent the last 30 years
on the distribution side, so Ihad a little taste of what
they're all about, but it wasn'tuntil our country was just
coming out of the pandemic whenI really started embracing the

(04:23):
concept of just getting outthere and checking out some of
what collision conferences hadto offer, no matter how far away
they were from my hometown andman, all I could think was why
the hell did I wait so long?
So I thought I would take a fewminutes and not only help you
understand some of the keybenefits of making the
commitment to attend a few ofthese events this year, to start

(04:43):
getting engaged in thisbusiness that supports your way
of life, to start playing yourpart in becoming part of the
solution in an industry thatreally needs everyone rowing in
the same direction, but also toprovide a guide of some of the
upcoming shows to attend.
Here's just a few of the topreasons to attend Number one
what's new?
Top reasons to attend Numberone what's new?

(05:03):
Getting out and seeing the newproducts, new tools and
equipment available is probablythe most important thing you
could do for yourself and yourbusiness.
These are the keys to yoursuccess in repairing today's and
tomorrow's vehicles safely andcorrectly.
As the complexity of vehicleskeeps advancing, the repair
methods, as well as the toolsand equipment needed to perform
those repairs also is advancing.

(05:24):
Staying on top of these changesis not only critical to the
functionality of today'sautomobiles, but to the safety
of your most valuable asset,that's right, your customers.
Keeping up with the newtechnologies like ADAS and the
other safety systems now onalmost every single new vehicle
produced, as well as what'sinvolved for you, the repairer,

(05:46):
when an EV shows up at your shopfor repairs after an accident,
is almost impossible to dowithout actually attending a
trade show floor and talkingwith the vendors from these
providers and seeing the latestoptions available.
Listen, although your jobbermay bring in a flyer for the
latest new primer, adhesive orpolisher that's available,
nobody is bringing what's new toproperly repair today's
vehicles right to your shop.

(06:07):
Right, attending a collisionconference is the best way for
you to see all that's on themarket.
Talk to the manufacturersyourself, see the demonstrations
live or get your hands on thelatest gear yourself.
Number two opportunities togrow.
Another one of the game-changingbenefits of attending these
conferences is the vast numberof educational classes or

(06:28):
workshops available, as well asthe latest trainings from the
industry leaders and consultants, manufacturers and vendors on a
wide variety of subjects,whether you're looking for some
tactical advice on processimprovements or production tips
for your back shop, the latesttrends in repair planning,
detailed looks at what it takesto open an ADAS center, or what

(06:49):
to do or not do when an EV orhybrid ends up in your shop.
There is plenty of top talent tohelp guide you in the right
direction.
Some of the education isincluded with the cost of
registration for the conferenceand sometimes there is a
reasonable fee.
This is where you need to makethat mental shift from thinking
of that amount as a cost to themore correct term of investment

(07:10):
in your shop.
When you take the time to learnabout better processes and
practices, how to correctlycharge and collect for your
services rendered, charge andcollect for your services
rendered, improve your paintshop profitability, or how to
create a better culture withinyour shop, you absolutely will
make more money.
Education is an investment, andone that pays great dividends.

(07:31):
If you're looking for acompetitive edge for your
business or a more effectivejumpstart to your personal
development, I'll make yourfirst step super simple.
It is a fact that an incrediblenumber of the most successful
business owners, nearly half ofthe Fortune 500 companies,
top-earning professionalathletes, entertainers and
industry leaders likeMicrosoft's Bill Gates, former

(07:52):
President Bill Clinton, oprahWinfrey, richard Branson,
amazon's Jeff Bezos andSalesforce's Mark Benioff all
have one thing in common theyall have at least one coach and
some have several that they workwith on a consistent basis,
someone that helps guide, mentorand support them, challenge
them, help them set and achievegoals that move them forward and

(08:13):
then hold them accountable tofollow through, driving personal
and professional growth.
Working with a coach has manysubstantial benefits.
Just for an example, 80% ofcoaching clients report improved
self-esteem or self-confidencethanks to coaching.
99% of individuals andcompanies that hire a coach

(08:34):
report being very satisfied and96% would do it again.
If, deep down, you know it'stime to make those improvements
in your business, your personallife, that you've kicked down
the road year after year.
If you're tired of knowingthere's a better version of you
waiting to shine, but unsure ofhow to bring that version to
light.
If you're tired of wanting toenjoy a more successful business
but not sure how to start.
And if you don't want to goanother 12 months without better

(08:55):
results but you don't want togo it alone, then take the first
step.
Want to go it alone?
Then take the first step.
It's super simple.
Sometimes talking to the rightperson can make all the
difference.
Go to wwwrixalovercom contactand I'll set you up with a free
consultation.
Call with me to see ifone-on-one coaching is right for
you.
Number three keynote speakers.
One thing I learned early on inmy career, working for a jobber

(09:18):
while attending one of thosepaint company conferences, was
the value of listening to agreat keynote speaker.
I still remember my firstexperience attending a keynote.
I was listening to Speaker Hallof Fame member Dr Alan
Zimmerman.
It actually made such an impact.
His message changed thedirection of my life and started
me down a path ofself-improvement, a path I'm

(09:40):
still on almost 20 years later.
This is one advantage ofattending a conference that I
can't stress enough.
If you've ever listened tosomeone like Mike Anderson from
Collision Advice or Dave Luerfrom Body Shop Solutions, if
you've never had thatopportunity in the past, then
make a commitment to do it thisyear.
Not all conferences or tradeshows will have a keynote
speaker, but many of theeducational classes are led by

(10:02):
folks like Mike Anderson or DaveLuehr and many others.
There are some great industryleaders that have a passion for
sharing their wisdom with others.
Be sure to take advantage of it.
Number four networking.
Have you ever heard the sayingyour network equals your net
worth?
Well, there's a lot of truth tothat statement if you think
about it.
If you're a shop owner and yournetwork includes larger, more

(10:25):
successful shop owners, byspending time around them, don't
you think that you may discoversome additional ways to
increase your RO marketpenetration, learn some
productivity tips orprofitability or even tax moves
that increase your income?
Hell yes, you would.
And likewise you, being part ofsomeone else's network, may
provide them with some uniqueinsights from your business that

(10:47):
helps their bottom line.
The quickest way to a betterrunning facility, a stronger
business, increased income, abeneficial list of industry
resources and a powerful networkis to spend some time in a room
with your peers like-mindedshop owners willing to share
their strategies with each other.
Collision conferences and tradeshows are the perfect place to

(11:08):
accomplish this.
In fact, one of my clients I'veworked with for the last couple
of years had realized thisafter attending a paint company
conference, where he witnessedthat massive advantage of
attending these types of eventsand has now started attending a
local association near him wherehe made some great new shop
owner connections and hasapplied some of their concepts
to increase his shop's business.

(11:29):
The potential is endless.
When you're a shop owner,equipment vendor, tech
salesperson or just the averageJoe or Joan looking to expand
your possibilities, networkingis the vehicle that gets you
there.
And then, lastly, you don't knowwhat you don't know, right?
I've heard that plenty of times.
Well, one way to learn what youdon't know is by immersing

(11:51):
yourself in a room with peoplethat may know more than you
Listen.
Be sure to check your ego atthe door first, and the more you
learn as an owner, the more youcan develop your employees and,
more importantly, your clients.
It's been said over and overbefore that an educated consumer
is your best customer, andtoday, in our industry, we are

(12:13):
doing a much better job withthat education.
If starting the process ofgiving yourself that competitive
edge in your marketplace is assimple as attending an upcoming
collision conference, whetherit's a small, local one or
something big like CIC or SEMAand exposing yourself to what's
out there the new tools, theequipment, the products and
technology what possible reasonwould you have for not wanting

(12:37):
to do that.
I've been to several over thelast couple years and I will
continue to attend as many aspossible going forward.
But here's a couple of myfavorites CIC, or otherwise
known as the Collision IndustryConference.
This conference happens everyquarter and has grown to record
attendance just over this pastyear.

(12:58):
And these are the folks doingthis for free that actively work
on making this industry better.
Every single meeting there'splenty of committees made up of
volunteers and industry leaders.
So if you're a shop owner, Iwould highly recommend attending
one of these meetings.
Be part of positive change forall of us.
Or just attend and meet thetrue movers and shakers in

(13:19):
Collision.
I guarantee you wouldn't regretit.
Then there's SEMA.
What can I say?
It is the ultimate inautomotive get-togethers.
It's always in Vegas around thestart of November and has grown
massively over the past twoyears and has much to offer.
If you want more info, listento my SEMA wrap-up, episode 187.
And then there's the SoutheastCollision Conference, put

(13:41):
together by both CarolinasCollision Association and
Washington Metropolitan AutoBody Association.
This conference has much tooffer Lots of trade show floor
space, great lineup of speakersand educators and full of some
great down-home operators withtheir southern hospitality and
I'll be there doing apresentation on the cost of

(14:02):
contamination.
There's just too many shows tolist, like Northeast out in New
Jersey, abat down in Texas, theMidwest Show and countless other
AASP meetings and get-togethersand conferences.
If you have never attended oneof these before, or one of the
other several others held inmetro markets across this great
country, make it a point to putone or two on your must-list

(14:23):
this year.
I promise you won't regret it.
And hey, if you see mewandering around at one, come on
over and say hi.
I hope to see you then.
Well, that's all I had for youtoday.
Thanks again for tuning in.
I really appreciate yoursupport and I hope you have a
great week.
I can always be reached atwwwrickselovercom, where you can
find all my social media linkspodcast episodes, blog posts and

(14:46):
much more.