Networking means the most
In an age where answers are always just a quick Google search or phone call away, it’s easy to assume we have everything we need at our fingertips. We’re more connected than ever before—our inboxes, phones and social media feeds are flooded with updates, announcements and insights from across the industry.
But as anyone who’s ever walked the fl oor at a trade show, sat in on a training session or chatted with a fellow shop owner aft er a long day of conference sessions will tell you: nothing replaces the power of showing up.
Events—whether local meetings, large-scale expos or national training conferences—off er something that no webinar or Zoom call can replicate. Th ey bring us together. Th ey off er a chance to not just listen and learn but to question, to challenge and to connect.
Beyond the polished presentations and expert panels, the real magic happens in the moments between. It’s in the hallway conversations, the chance meetings over morning coffee or the late-night debriefs with someone who’s faced the same struggle you thought was yours alone. Those organic exchanges—those shared stories— are where perspective shift s, where innovation sparks and where real growth begins.
Sure, a quick call might get you an answer. But being in the room where the questions are asked—and hearing how others are answering them—offers far more than a single solution. It gives you context. It gives you clarity. Sometimes, it even gives you the courage to try something new. Th is issue is fi lled with examples of that kind of momentum. From events that brought technicians face-to-face with cutting-edge technology to gatherings where business owners talked candidly about the challenges and opportunities of today’s collision landscape, the throughline is clear: when we show up for each other, we all move forward.
So as the industry gears up for another season of events, I encourage you to carve out the time. Book the flight. Attend the dinner. Ask the questions. Shake the hands. You never know what conversation will leave you walking away with a whole new perspective.
Because at the end of the day, this industry isn’t just about metal and paint. It’s about people. And people, as it turns out, are best experienced in person.
