DISCUSSIONS IN DUBAI

NEW FORMAT PROMOTES CANDID CONVERSATIONS AT IBIS MIDDLE EAST

“Speaking with passion not PowerPoints, each highlighted either a proposed solution to one issue facing the industry, one untapped opportunity, one area of frictional inefficiency that could be removed or one new innovation that would mean a positive stride forward for the industry.” — Robert Snook

The International Bodyshop Industry Symposium adopted a redesigned format at its recent Middle East event, held at the Avery Conference venue at the Conrad Dubai on Feb. 10–11. Aligned with the 2026 IBIS theme, “Connecting Changemakers,” the event moved away from traditional keynote PowerPoint presentations, remote dial-in speakers and large panels delivered to a darkened, classroom-style auditorium.

In their place came a brighter, more open indoor-outdoor setting and a multi-dimensional event space designed to encourage dialogue rather than passive listening. The intention was clear: to create an environment where industry leaders from across the Middle East collision repair sector could engage directly and constructively. A central feature of the new format was the IBIS lightning conference session. Representatives from across the ecosystem — insurers, repairers, suppliers and OEM stakeholders — each spoke for five minutes without slides, graphics or video support.

“Speaking with passion not PowerPoints, each highlighted either a proposed solution to one issue facing the industry, one untapped opportunity, one area of frictional inefficiency that could be removed or one new innovation that would mean a positive stride forward for the industry,” said conference director Robert Snook. “Each individual outlined the idea, then proposed a practical solution and explained why the industry would benefit from adopting the new approach, finishing with a call to action to join them in making it happen.”

For Snook, one of the most notable contributions came from a dealer who challenged regulations common across much of the Middle East requiring collision repairs to be carried out at an authorised agency bodyshop during the first year of a vehicle’s life. While the precise mechanics differ by country, the principle is widely applied across the region.

The dealer argued that this time-based structure is increasingly misaligned with today’s vehicle technology profile, particularly as EV, ADAS-enabled and connected vehicles move beyond their first year in service.

EV imports into the UAE have risen sharply in recent years, while the regional ADAS market continues to expand at double-digit rates. Regulatory frameworks governing calibration standards, technician qualification and high-voltage safety, however, remain uneven across the Middle East and Africa and are struggling to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the vehicle parc.

Snook acknowledged the disparity. “The spread between the best and the least capable is wider across the region here than in more mature national markets,” he said, noting that rapid technology adoption is outpacing repair controls, technician skills development and quality assurance in certain segments.

“IBIS wants to be the neutral platform for roundtables to design solutions, involve authorities and regulators and agree solutions that will benefit everyone and leave a positive legacy for all,” he added.

The IBIS DNA — serving as a discussion and debate platform to improve safety, skills and standards — underpinned the Dubai agenda. An insurer-led session presented regional data and examined how carriers are adapting to changes in mobility models and vehicle complexity. A subsequent roundtable, chaired by Eman Mojali, CEO of Mada Insurance and Reinsurance Brokers, extended that discussion with audience engagement.

Another session explored the implications of these themes for the future of repairability in the region, featuring Wim Van Loo, general manager of MENA operations at MSX International, and Grant Greef, accident damage management and programs manager at VWG ME, in discussion with Snook.

Future IBIS events in 2026, beginning with IBIS USA in March, will continue the lightning session format and expand dedicated discussions on repairability and technology, focusing on the most pressing obstacles and opportunities in each market.

For IBIS, the revised structure is designed to accelerate practical change. For delegates, the message was direct. As observed during the Dubai event, “If you are not sat at the changemakers table, you’re probably on the changemakers menu.”