The Women's Industry Network (WIN) announced a full slate of in-depth professional collision repair industry programing, inspiring keynote speakers, and networking and mentoring opportunities 2024 Annual Conference, themed Dream Out Loud, set for May 6-8 at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, CA.
Early bird registration is open through March 1, and there is also a virtual attendance option available.
The conference will celebrate women in the industry by raising funds for collision repair student scholarships, recognizing scholarship winners, taking part in community giveback, and honoring this year’s Most Influential Women recipients.
“The 2024 WIN Conference is the only annual event of its kind in the collision repair industry. The opportunities for networking, learning and education always leaves our attendees energized to return to their teams with renewed focus, new ideas and ensures that they stay updated on the latest industry trends,” said WIN Conference Chair Blair Womble.
“I still remember attending my first WIN Conference, as it truly changed my perspective of the collision repair industry and my career,” said Womble. “It was so inspiring to see so many women in the industry, all together; it encouraged us to be able to share best practices, network about the business, learn from each other and even make lifelong friends and colleagues.”
To register for the conference and view the agenda, click here. The link to register for the hotel may also be found on the registration page.
WIN is excited to announce an extensive curriculum during the event, as this year’s conference offers multiple timely topics presented by several prominent speakers.
Confirmed 2024 Speakers and Programs
Debbie Peterson
From Dreams to Actions: The Roadmap to YOUR Career
Imagine taking your dreams and transforming them into action. In this keynote, Debbie will share her clarity-driven framework to do just that! She is a dynamic speaker, renowned author and consultant who helps her audiences and clients make an empowering effect in their careers, businesses and lives. Debbie inspires professionals with the tools and strategies to go all in on who they are, what they do and how to make a bigger impact in their leadership and life. As a result of Debbie's Clear Impact programming, participants consistently report increased focus, momentum and motivation to translate their vision into action.
Dharma Shakti
Your Next Bold Move
Get clear on where you are stuck and why. Gain clarity on how to make your next bold move in the right direction. Often referred to as “The Tony Robbins of Yoga," Dharma is a high-performance coach and the founder and owner of Yogalution Movement. She has been in the healing arts industry for 25 years and holds credentials with more than 5,000 hours of teaching experience. Dharma’s mission through all her offerings is ultimately to help empower people so they can be their most authentic self and help them remember and realize there is greatness in them.
Mitch Becker
Future Proofing with ADAS Scanning & Calibration
Vehicles are being given new capabilities to enhance your drive and to protect your family. Understand how electronics and repairs on the vehicles of today and tomorrow are evolving and how the entire industry is and will change in the near future. As director of training compliance for Protech Automotive Solutions based in Dallas, TX, Mitch oversees all aspects of internal training programs geared towards offering solutions for ADAS, which are found on vehicles equipped with Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Side-view Cameras and Collision Avoidance technology.
Samantha Hardingham
Electric Vehicles: Charting the Future of Mobility with a Customer-First Approach
Enterprise Mobility embraces the transition to electrification as part of a more sustainable mobility future, believing the best path to that future is one that maintains a long-term perspective and puts the customer at the center of the transition. As strategic development director for Enterprise Mobility, Samantha’s expertise is in the global vehicle rental industry, and with a background in operations, sales, product development and business strategy, she is responsible for developing strategic insights and research partnerships with industry leaders that support the company’s efforts to prepare the organization for the future growth of electric mobility.
Kay Wakeman
The Changing Vehicle Fleet and its Impact on Safety and Insurance
The U.S. fleet has undergone radical transformations over the last 30 years. Learn the impact on crash frequency and severity. Kay is the director of insurance outreach for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute. She joined HLDI in 2015 as a research analyst, studying collision avoidance technologies such as pedestrian detection and rear crash prevention. She continues to play an active role on HLDI’s research team but now often speaks at industry conferences promoting research and resources available to member companies.
Kim Frasher, Erin Solis, Laura Kottschade
Repair Planning 101
How to use repair planning to ensure better outcomes for your customer, your staff and your bottom line. Join industry experts to discuss not only how to repair plan, but why it’s more important than ever. Kim is a WIN Conference co-chair, former WIN board member and shop owner who is now with OEConnection’s program, RepairLogic. She trains shop owners to better document their procedures and give them the right tools they need to do safe and proper collision repairs. Erin is vice president of OEM and industry relations with Certified Collision Group, and brings her extensive collision industry knowledge helping collision repair facilities improve their operations. Laura was recently named as the second-generation owner of Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass, the largest body shop in Southern Minnesota, and she will share her passion to drive for collision repair shop success, and enhancing customer needs and experience. Laura is also a WIN board member and serves on the Executive Committee. Both Kim and Laura are also WIN Cornerstone Award Winners.
Cheryl Boswell, Kathy Coffey
Financial Literacy
Successful women successfully manage their finances. Data show women are less confident in their financial literacy than men: 401(k), IRA, FSA and HSA. This breakout will review programs, terms and best practices to increase your financial confidence and literacy. Cheryl is CFO and managing partner of DCR Systems, which operates OE-certified, turnkey accident repair centers based on lean principles. She has been the executive board chair for WIN, and been a recipient of its Most Influential Women honors. She was also named 2021 BodyShop Business Executive of the Year. Kathy joined AkzoNobel in 1987 and has held various positions in finance, accounting, marketing and sales, and is currently a key account manager. She is also a member of AkzoNobel’s Women Inspired Network. She served on WIN’s Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, where she held the positions of secretary and treasurer. They have both been awarded WIN’s Cornerstone Award.
Lisa Ferguson
Anatomy of a Car
The beginner’s guide to understanding vehicle structure, function and basic maintenance. Lisa is an integral part of the I-CAR team, where she plays a role in business development for large collision organizations or MSOs. From hands-on experience in a body shop to overseeing a collision repair shop operations and serving in high-level operations roles for multiple MSOs, her journey has been both fulfilling and humbling. Lisa has dedicated herself to partnering with career and technical schools to mentor new technicians, recognizing the importance of fostering the next generation's growth.
Industry Panel: Creating a Welcoming Culture
Join stakeholders from across industry segments to talk about steps their organizations have taken to define values and vision. How do they engage their staff? What measures have they taken to foster teamwork and community? The session will close with a Q&A.
Networking Session: The Connecting YOU Networking Session
Enjoy and thrive in an environment for all conference attendees to meet new people. This will inspire tangible actionable strategies and ideas to help all better achieve professional and personal goals.
WIN Continues to Give Back
In addition to the conference’s extensive curriculum, the annual WIN Scholarship Walk is a fundraiser event, part of WIN's commitment to driving the future of the collision repair industry. Register for the Scholarship Walk during conference registration, or contribute separately, whether you’re attending virtually or walking in-person.
The conference will again feature a National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides giveaway, in partnership with Caliber Collision, Driven Brands, Classic Collision and Crash Champions, with thanks to AAA, Allstate and GEICO. This year there will be four restored vehicles gifted to deserving Southern California families.
The conference highlight is the signature WIN Gala, which celebrates women across the collision repair industry, including the presentation of the soon-to-be announced 2024 recipients of the Most Influential Women and Cornerstone awards. The gala will also acknowledge the new 2024 class of WIN scholarship recipients.
All this, plus the conference is taking place nearby the sun, sand and surf that makes up Newport Beach, featuring luxe shopping centers to boat-filled harbors -- it's the perfect locale to combine learning, leadership and teambuilding, along with relaxing, beachfront dining and cultural experiences.
New to 2024, WIN is excited to announce a new themed welcome reception, “Party Like it’s 1999!”, where guests are encouraged to wear '90s attire and trade friendship bracelets. Also new to the 2024 conference is the addition of limited-edition “swag bags” filled with exciting items and unique surprises. These bags are available for pre-purchase at the time of conference registration for all in-person attendees, and will be ready for pickup at the time of your arrival on-site.
Early Bird Rate Available
WIN members registering by the March 1 early bird deadline will receive a discounted rate of $575; after that, the member cost increases to $680. The ticket rate for non-members is $725. Registration for in-person attendees closes April 26. Anyone preferring to join virtually may do so for $250.
Interested attendees can join WIN as a professional member any time for just $95, and then take advantage of the discounted attendance if they join before March 1.
To register for the conference, click here. The link to register for the hotel will also be found on the registration page.
For more information on WIN, visit www.womensindustrynetwork.com.
For more information on the WIN 2024 Conference, visit the website.
