CCIF Meeting Request

I’m on a mission and that is to make a positive stance in the Canadian auto collision industry for change. Even through I place my self in a vulnerable position talking about the issues affecting the collision industry and the draining cause of not being able to solve those issues. It will be interesting to introduce alternative directions, innovative ideas and solutions to historic problems.

Since 1998 a consortium of Canadian auto collision stakeholders visit four Provinces each year holding meetings to address the issues affecting their industry. January 26, 2008 this consortium that goes by the name of CCIF – Canadian Collision Industry Forum will be visiting Toronto.

One of the major issues affecting the industry and identified by the Human Resource Department Of Canada in 1999 is the ability or lack off to attract and retain techs. Collision techs make up 60% of the industry’s production force; their interaction is critical to the longevity and stability of a lucrative auto collision industry.

At my visit to the CCIF web site I came across the registration form for the up coming meeting and I was very interested in attending. However, as I looked the form over I didn’t see any place for me to check-off in the category areas provided for participants in the industry. So, I sent off an email for clarification on if this industry event is of welcoming to me.

My Email

From: don bailey [mailto:travelpapers@hotmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 10:43 PM
To: administrator@ccif.net
Cc: Larry Jefferies
Subject: looking to attend CCIF meeting



Hi, I've been a participant (Tech) in the Canadian auto collision
industry for over 25 years. Over the last few years I've taken more of
an active interest in the direction and activities relevant to my
industry's success.

While I was on your web site I found your profile and mission content to
be quite insightful and I realized you would be having one of your CCIF
meetings in Toronto January 26, 2008.

I'm very interested in going to this meeting but was wondering if this
meeting would be of welcoming nature for me as an auto tech to attend.

I only ask this question because while printing off and preparing to
fill out the CCIF Registration Form, I noticed there was no section for
me to check off under category. There is a section for Collision
Repairer, Insurer, Supplier/Wholesaler, Trainer/Educator, Recycler and
Association but none for techs.

Was this just an oversight and am I welcomed to attend all planed
activities?

Thank you, Don


Reply Email

From Mike (mbryan@aci.on.ca)

Sent: January 14, 2008 10:35:19 AM
To: travelpapers@hotmail.com
Cc: 'Tony Canade' (tcanade@oaktowncollision.com); 'Larry Jefferies' (ljefferies@carstar.ca)

Don,
Thank you for your enquiry. Let me answer your main point first by saying
yes, you are most welcome to attend CCIF.

CCIF is an open forum for anyone who has an interest in the collision repair
industry. We encourage anyone who thinks about, cares about and has any
professional involvement with the industry to attend.

I'm not quite clear on the other part of your question. We use the
categories on the registration form to keep track of the mix of business
types represented at CCIF. "Collision Repairer" is intended to include
anyone who works at a collision repair facility, "Supplier/Wholesaler" is
for anyone who works in any capacity in the supply side of the industry, and
so on. We don't categorize registrants by their particular job. As a
technician, you would come under "Collision Repairer", as would the shop's
owner, estimator, office manager or anyone else.

Hope that helps and that you'll register and join us for a great CCIF
meeting on January 26th.

Regards
Mike Bryan
CCIF
Tel: 905 726 9027
Fax: 905726 9038