Mechanicsville, Virginia, October 11, 2023 — The entire industry is invited to take part in the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards event, held on Tuesday night, October 31, at the SEMA Show!

This will be the first year the event will be held in the evening, and in conjunction with the 40th anniversary celebration of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC).

Following the CIC meeting during the day, the CIC reception will begin at 6:00 pm (Westgate, Ballroom C) and the Red Carpet Awards ceremony will begin promptly at 7:30 pm (Westgate, Ballroom AB).

Seating for the awards ceremony will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

This awards event is free to attend, funded by participating organizations and with added sponsorship support from BodyShop Business, CIC, the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), I-CAR and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS).

The Red Carpet Awards event has become a noteworthy fixture of the SEMA Show week, featuring the most prestigious awards and recognitions from notable industry organizations, celebrating standout achievements and character within the collision repair industry.

The event was established to capitalize on the energy and community gathered at the SEMA Show, and the shift to a nighttime event adds to the gravitas and excitement. Come dressed for a night on the red carpet; cocktail attire is encouraged, but not required.

Liz Stein with OEConnection has been invited to act as emcee of the awards event.

The 2023 Red Carpet event will feature a historic presentation from the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), reflecting on the past 40 years of contributions and conversations that have impacted the industry; as well as individual award presentations from:

BodyShop Business
Single-Shop Executive of the Year Award
Multi-Shop Executive of the Year Award

Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA)
Electronic Commerce Company of the Year
Outstanding Contribution
Chairperson’s Award

CREF
Fueling the Future Award

I-CAR
Jeff Silver Memorial Award to a Platinum individual
Russ Verona Memorial Award to a Gold Class shop

National Auto Body Council (NABC)
Changing and Saving Lives Award

Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)
Affiliate Association
Lifetime Achievement Award
The 2023 March Taylor Kina’ole Award

SCRS’ presentation of the March Taylor Kina’ole Award honors the legacy and lessons from March Taylor, who owned Auto Body Hawaii and served on the SCRS board of directors

Kina’ole is a Hawaiian term for flawlessness, in the sense of “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 has bestowed the award on individuals who have reflected the light that March instilled in those he worked with” shared SCRS Chairman, Amber Alley. “It’s recognizing those who just radiate a purpose of doing the right things, the right way, for the right people. Honoring and acknowledging our people for who they are and who they’ve become, rather than what they have done.”

The Kina’Ole Award has been presented in the past to Gary Wano, Jr. (GW and Son Auto Body), Petra Schroeder (Collisionista), the late John Norris (Collision Industry Information Assistance), Toby Chess (Industry Educator) and Danny Gredinberg (the Database Enhancement Gateway).

SCRS will also present a National Lifetime Achievement Award, designed to recognize people who have given generously to the aid of their industry nationwide, and an Affiliate Association Award, intended to shine the spotlight on an Affiliate that exhibits exemplary actions on behalf of the collision repair professional.

For more information about SCRS or to join as a member, please visit www.scrs.com, call 1-877-841-0660 or email info@scrs.com.