On September 17 and 18, the Simplicity Car Care Growth Conference took place. Chantal Cox, co-owner of a body shop in Watford, Ontario, shared her impressions of this event, which brought together franchised body shop operators in Montreal.

Chantal Cox, co-owner with her husband Kevin of a Simplicity body shop in Watford, spoke at the event. During the conference, she explained why she and Kevin chose to join the Simplicity brand. Mrs. Cox is actively involved in the network. As Vice President of the Simplicity Franchisee Advisory Board, she created a Facebook group for members. “I enjoy being part of a group with whom I share the same values,” she explained.

The organizers’ primary goal for the conference was to allow participants to network with other franchisees, to establish new contacts, to empower themselves through presentations, and to engage with suppliers and insurance partners. Additionally, an expert team welcomed attendees, including at the Les Entrepôts AB booth, where they showcased various types of equipment, some of which are necessary for obtaining automaker certifications. The event attracted over 200 people to the Rialto Theatre in Montreal.

The two-day conference was rich with valuable information on various topics, including technological advancements and key industry values.

Chantal Cox highlighted that among the invited speakers, Mike Gilliland, President of Business Development at Auto House Technologies, provided an overview of the information revolution in the automotive industry. Leanne Jefferies, Director of Strategic Accounts and Client Support for the OEC collision repair network, also addressed this topic. Some internationally renowned speakers shared proven strategies for achieving exceptional business growth.

During the Simplicity Car Care Growth Conference, more than 20 suppliers showcased their products, services, and cutting-edge solutions. Paint manufacturers such as Axalta, Sherwin-Williams, and PPG emphasized the importance of their partnerships with repairers to optimize painting operations. Parts suppliers like CarQuest, LKQ, and Bumper to Bumper demonstrated how they collaborate with body shop professionals.

Software providers including ALLDATA, Mitchell, and Solera (Audatex) drew significant attention with their capabilities for quick damage analysis and real-time tracking of repair progress.

According to Chantal Cox, attendees appreciated having all these specialists in one place, allowing them to discover numerous solutions to improve their operations.