Autobody Event Goes Global

The International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) has announced that it will hold an exclusive, globally motivated, one-day program aimed at senior managers, industry leaders and influencers.
IBIS@NACE is expected to attract professionals from all sides of the collision repair market and will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 8:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m.
The world of collision repair is becoming ever more complex and, in terms of vehicle construction materials, technology and environmental legislation, as well as paint, product and equipment developments, is becoming increasingly international.
As a result, individual collision repair markets are increasingly affected by developments around the world and domestic markets are increasingly influenced by international issues.
Reflecting the growing globalization of the industry is IBIS the International Bodyshop Industry Symposium.
Organized by Bodyshop Magazine, IBIS takes place each year in Montreux, Switzerland.
First time IBIS attendee, international industry figure and Hall of Eagles inductee David Newton-Ross said of IBIS 2005, “If NACE is a must attend, then IBIS is right up there with it, make no mistake, if you are serious about your industry then put NACE and IBIS on your list of must do/attend items for the future.”
IBIS@NACE was introduced to the NACE Conference line-up for the first time last year and is back for 2005 with its intensive program based on some of the key highlights from IBIS in Montreux.
The IBIS@NACE package offers remarkable value and provides an ideal opportunity to share the knowledge and insights of leading experts from around the world.

The IBIS@NACE 2005 Program agenda is as follows:

Welcome and Introduction
Moderator: David Lingham
Keynote speech: Dramatic Changes on the Horizon
IBIS Chairman: Chris Mann, Publisher, Bodyshop Magazine
A look at some of the key issues impacting on the collision repair market around the world and reflects upon the dramatic implications for all sides of the industry.
Design for the Future
Speakers: Andy Walker, Thatcham and Mark White, Jaguar Land Rover
Two world-experts look at the implications for repairers of the explosion in vehicle design construction & materials technology. How can repairers cope? What must manufacturers do to reverse the trend of reduced repairability? This session addresses repairer concerns and provides insight into the future shape of the body repair market, and the implications for each industry sector
Standards and Licensing
Speakers: Larry Jefferies, CARSTAR; Rick Tuuri, I-CAR; David Newton-Ross, Australian BodyShop News; Ian Groat, Automotive Refinisher Magazine
The growing diversity and complexity of new vehicle technology is creating unprecedented pressures for repairers around the world. Can repair quality standards be policed, and if so, how and by whom? How can the industry prepare itself to deal with the technology explosion? Special experts from around the world look at some of the successful (and unsuccessful) initiatives from their respective markets and share their knowledge and understanding of what needs to be done.
Emerging Markets China
Speakers: Tom Stryker, Superior Consultants and Chuck Sulkala, NABC
The growth of the Chinese economy over the past five years has been truly staggering. It is predicted that by 2010, the world’s most populous country will be second only to the USA in terms of the size of its automotive market. Two leading experts with direct experience of the current economic revolution taking place in China, talk about the remarkable development of the Chinese automotive sector and the unprecedented global implications. Scary stuff and vital information for everybody involved in the collision repair sector.
Insurer Roles
Speakers: John Edelen, Allstate; Susan Hood, State Farm; David Neave, Royal & Sun Alliance
There can be few developed collision repair markets around the world that do not complain about the relative power and influence of insurers in their dealings with repairers. As the market changes, so too must these relationships. A cross-section of senior figures from some of the world’s leading insurers explain the philosophies & objectives behind their dramatically different approaches to securing repair capacity, providing consistency of service to their policy holders and handling repairer relationships. This session provides some unique insights into the philosophy and objectives of insurers, their needs and how they see insurer/repairer relationships needing to evolve.
International Open Forum
Moderator David Lingham
This interactive session provides IBIS@NACE delegates with the opportunity to quiz the experts on a variety of hot topics.

IBIS@NACE will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. IBIS@NACE Packages are $350 U.S. and includes Wednesday’s IBIS@NACE Program and Luncheon, one ticket to any Conference Session in any of the timeslots featured on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Wednesday Evening’s Welcome Reception, Thursday’s Opening General Session, Friday’s Luncheon Program, the NACE Exposition, admittance to SEMA and AAPEX, a Congress Briefcase and NACE 2005 Commemorative Pin.
To register for this event and NACE 2005, visit www.NACEexpo.com.