The 2018 Southern Automotive Repair Conference (SARC) is scheduled for April 20-21 in Biloxi, Miss.
SARC's purpose is to provided an annual industry forum for collision repair professionals in the Southeast region, where attendees can visit exhibits, receive important updates and information, stay abreast of new vehicle technologies, promote consumer safety and succeed in the marketplace.
Conference hosts are the state auto body associations of Alabama (ALARISE), Georgia (GCIA), Louisiana (LACIA), Mississippi (MSCRA) and Tennessee (TCRA). More information can be found at www.sarc-collision.com.
The event, brought to you by organizers Steve Plier [email protected] and Georgia Thorson [email protected], will be hosted at the IP Resort Casino Spa in Biloxi.
SARC is designed for collision repair professionals, but all are welcome to attend, and registration is open to anyone who pays admission. Advance online registration is strongly encouraged. General Admission is $40 online by credit card, and $50 cash or check at the door. This fee includes entry to the event and classes & sessions – as well as food & beverages, including drink tickets for the reception.
New this year, SARC will host a Collision Industry Career Fair area during the conference that will include a collection point for resumes and applications, as well as a place to gather industry job information.
Free passes are also available for educators and students. Free admission passes to SARC are available for administrators, instructors, and teachers of collision repair industry programs. High school and secondary tech school students may also attend SARC on a free pass. Contact organizers for more details.
Jeff Peevy, president of the Automotive Management Institute/AMi, will be the conference M/C, introducing all of the presenters and speakers. He will also be the presenter for an AMi segment Friday afternoon, and will facilitate the Diagnostics Panel Discussion Saturday afternoon.
Peevy attended the University of Texas at Tyler and the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He has years of industry experience as a PBE Manager at Crow Burlingame, a trainer at Valspar, and as the Director of Field Operations at I-CAR. He will be a definite asset to SARC, and we are very pleased to have him join us this year.
Exhibitors include national paint companies, major vehicle OEMs, PBE distributors, equipment and tool companies, industry service providers, and product innovators. Exhibitor set-up is Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. A ‘Come & Go’ private lunch buffet will be served to exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, and SARC volunteers beginning at 11:30 am. Refer to the website for application, payment and other details.
Keynote speaker Dr. Rick Brinkman is an award winning speaker who uses the unique presentation style of educating through entertainment to motivate and teach people coping and leadership skills. He has been named as the “Funniest Speaker of the Year” by a leading organization, and is also the co-author of the international bestselling book, “Dealing with People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst”. Dr. Rick has been a featured communication expert in the Wall St. Journal, O Magazine, CNN, CNBC, The New York Times, USA Today and more.
Special guest speaker Todd Tracy is a nationally recognized, ‘AV-Preeminent’ rated trial lawyer and the founder of The Tracy Firm in Dallas, Texas. His practice is dedicated to vehicle safety defect product liability claims, an area in which he has over 20 years’ experience. As Attorney for the Plaintiff in the John Eagle Collision Center Lawsuit, Todd will present “The Anatomy of a Lawsuit: Crucial Details of the $42 Million Verdict”.
Announcements will be made shortly when details are complete for the following:
- Class titles, instructors, and times. (Most classes are included with admission.)
- Panelists for the Diagnostics Panel Discussion.
- All presentations and presenters
BASIC AGENDA
Friday 4/20
8:00 AM – Invitational Sessions and classes begin
11:00 AM – General check-in and registration begins
12:00 PM – Collision Industry Career Fair area opens
1:00 PM – Exhibition opens
1:30 PM – Presentations begin
5:30 PM – Exhibition Reception begins
Saturday 4/21
8:00 AM – Registration opens, Exhibition opens, and morning sessions begin
1:30 PM – Afternoon panel & speakers begin
5:00 PM – Prizes are drawn
Please check the website regularly for AGENDA and other updates: sarc-collision.com.
