Toronto, Ontario -- A recent network conference has altered a global collision repair brand's future, according to its president and chief executive officer.
“The energy, insights and inspiration exchanged here will undoubtedly shape the way we move forward together,” Fix Network president and chief executive officer Steve Leal said following the banner's global conference, which was held between April 27 to May 1, 2025 at the luxurious Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf and Spa Resort in Mexico.
The biennial event brought together franchisees, company leaders, valued sponsor partners and several special guests from around the world for a unique blend of business, inspiration and networking in a tropical paradise. It featured a high-impact agenda packed with inspiring keynotes, unfiltered panels and invaluable networking opportunities.
Leal took the stage to share the organization’s strategic vision and discuss initiatives propelling its growth across the unified family of brands. He also highlighted the power of collaboration across the global network and underscored how collective efforts and shared goals are driving innovation and success throughout the organization.
Stefan Strähnz, chief programs officer for the Audi F1 Project, offered a behind-the-scenes look at Audi’s entry into Formula 1, highlighting how strategic planning, precision execution and long-term vision are driving their path to success. His insights encouraged franchisees to adopt the same level of focus and foresight when scaling their own businesses for sustained growth.
Grant Cardone, a 10X entrepreneur and sales powerhouse, discussed bringing next-level business strategies usable on the shop floor. Drawing from his experience in real estate, entrepreneurship and leadership, he challenged franchisees to reframe their limitations, embrace bold growth strategies and lead with certainty in times of change.
Molly Bloom, bestselling author of Molly's Game, shared lessons from her extraordinary journey from Olympic hopeful to poker empire runner to federal indictment and comeback. Matt Havens, a keynote speaker and former corporate leader, provided franchisees with practical tools to streamline communication, boost employee engagement and elevate leadership at every level.
Romain Grosjean, a renowned IndyCar racer and former Formula 1 driver, explored the mindset behind high-stakes performance and resilience. His personal story of overcoming challenges both on and off the track encouraged attendees to view obstacles as opportunities—and reminded them that perseverance is always mission-critical.
The event also included a dynamic panel that explored how Fix Network leaders are turning challenges into opportunities through innovation, strategic thinking, and operational agility. The session featured Roy De Lange, head of business (Germany); Jeff Labonovich, vice-president of sales and operations (Canada); Travis Arnold, director at Fix Auto Malaga City (Australia); and Nicky Woerner, director of partnerships (U.S.). The panelists shared insights on driving performance through operational excellence, embracing change to fuel growth, leveraging EV specialization for competitive advantages and staying adaptable in the face of market uncertainty.
