The Society of Collision Repair Specialists has invited the industry to its second annual Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast during SEMA Week.
Hosted with support by fellow presenters Automotive Management Institute and Body Shop Business, the event “will feature some of the most prestigious awards and recognitions from industry organisations that highlight standout individuals and businesses in the collision repair industry,” said the SCRS.
The free event will be held from 7:30-9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 31, in Westgate Las Vegas Ballrooms D-E. Seating for the 200 seats is first come, first served.
“The Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast places a priority on encouraging and recognising greatness in individuals, companies and actions in the collision repair industry, and the excitement and energy of the SEMA Show provide the perfect backdrop for such distinguished presentations.”
AMI will present the AMI Graduating Class of 2018, and BodyShop Business will crown Executives of the Year in the independent and MSO categories. Other presenters include the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association, which will bestow its Outstanding Achievement awards and the Electronic Commerce of the Year Award; I-CAR, scheduled to name its Chairman’s, Jeff Silver and Russ Verona Memorial Award winners for 2018; and the National Auto Body Council, which will honour the recipients of its Award of Distinction and Body Shop Image Award categories.
SCRS wrapped up the 2017 awards breakfast by honouring G.W. and Son Autobody owner Gary Wano Jr. with the inaugural March Taylor Kina’ole Award. It plans to recognise another nominee again this year and encouraged “all who were touched by March, and who have felt his absence in our lives to join us for this very touching memorial award.” The Hawaiian word “kina’ole” represents “doing the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place, to the right person, for the right reason, with the right feeling, the first time.”
SCRS also said this sentiment was installed in the organization by the late March Taylor, owner of Auto Body Hawaii and a former SCRS board member. Taylor died 26 August 2007. The award honours Taylor’s memory while recognising another who lives up to the “kina’ole” ideal.
“It’s important to us that we continue to embrace the legacy that March left behind,” SCRS Chairman Kye Yeung (European Motor Car Works) said in a statement. “The concept of doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons and without any other motivation is really a celebration of pure passion for moving the industry forward. It’s recognising those who have no motive or agenda, just a genuine desire to help and to do good. We are really excited for this next presentation, and to have the opportunity to recognise people in the industry who exemplify these traits.”