Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), January 27, 2017

The annual Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) was held January 27 at the Universal Event Space in Vaughan, Ontario. Repairers, insurers and suppliers representing the insurance claims and collision repair industries gathered for information sessions and a trade show. Hot topics during the information sessions included disruptors in the Canadian collision industry, which will likely be unrecognizable 10 years from now as a result of connected autonomous vehicles and ridesharing, Andrew King, managing partner for DesRosiers Automotive Consultants Inc., said during his presentation. Citing “soft” and “hard” disruptors, King explained that soft disruptors are things that will impact the industry, but are manageable, while hard disruptors will “rip the industry apart and lead to a whole new world.” Also on the speaker list this year was CCIF chairman Joe Carvalho; Annabelle Cormack, president of Cormack Recruitment Ltd.; Patrice Marcil, North American learning and development director for Axalta Coating Systems; Andrew Shepherd, senior director of Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) and executive director of I-CAR Canada; Mike Anderson of Collision Advice; and automotive journalist Zack Spencer.