SCRS encourages repairers to speak up at industry issues forum

While April marks the 30th anniversary since the formation of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), it also marks 20 years since SCRS founded the National Industry Issues Forum (NIIF). The next NIIF will be held from 8 to 11:30 a.m. April 25 at the Renaissance Hotel in Oklahoma City. Like this article? Sign up to receive our weekly news blasts here.

The NIIF has often been held in conjunction with the SCRS Annual Meetings in April, and is designed to provide collision repair facilities a venue to freely exchange ideas on the most pressing concerns facing their businesses, while examining potential resolutions to those issues. In years past, the discussion has paved way for SCRS to compile pertinent points of discussion and topics, and deliver them to the industry without the repairer body shying away from sharing their viewpoint due to a presiding fear of reprisal.

The meeting is open to all SCRS members, and any repair facility owner or manager regardless of membership.

"There are still so many issues that are facing our industry today, where repair facilities feel apprehensive about openly discussing the problems they face, for fear that it might impact their current sources of business" stated SCRS Chairman, Aaron Clark. "It is very common for repairers to rely on associations to advocate their message for them - to be their voice - but it is critical that they also hear from each other, and gain an appreciation for the fact that they are not alone in the pressures they feel within their business."

It is events like the NIIF that allow SCRS to calibrate its message and positioning, and ensure that it is shaped by the varying perspectives of its membership, the realities they encounter in their businesses and the viewpoints they have on the current events of the industry.

"As someone who has attended every single NIIF that has been held, I am telling you there is no better place to show up, speak up and be heard," said SCRS Past Chairman Jeff Hendler. "If you're tired of events you don't feel comfortable at because you can't speak your mind freely, this is the one to attend. This is the event that SCRS put together just for you, the collision repairer. Prepare your notes, bring your voice and be ready to roll up your sleeves and work through some of the most critical issues facing our industry today."

Those interested in attending the NIIF and the SCRS 30th anniversary reception are asked to pre- register. Registration forms can be obtained by calling Linda Atkins in the SCRS administration office at 1-877-841-0660, or by emailing the office at [email protected].