Some projects idle quietly in the corner of a bodyshop. Others roar to life.
By the time the auction hammer dropped at Fix Network Canada's 2026 National Conference in Banff, the room was buzzing. Phones were in the air. Bidders leaned forward in their seats.
That final bid for the Pontiac Firebird Formula capped off a year-long fundraising effort in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, serving as the perfect exclamation point on two days that already had plenty to say.
The bid also helped Fix Network reach a major fundraising milestone, surpassing $1 million dollars raised since 2016 in support of Ronald McDonald House Canada.
This was achieved during the 2026 Fix Network National Conference, held at the iconic Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta, through the highly anticipated auction of a fully restored Firebird purchased last year from Mike Hall of the hit television series Rust Valley Restorers. The vehicle came from Hall’s well-known “Field of Dreams” car collection and was transformed through a complete restoration led by Fix Network’s corporate team, franchise partners and valued vendor suppliers.
The "Ignite the Future" conference ran May 7 and 8 at the Fairmont Banff Springs. More than 350 franchisees, insurers, suppliers and industry leaders gathered against one of the most dramatic backdrops in the country to talk about where this industry is headed and what it takes to get there.
Fix Network Canada president Steve Leal opened with a message built around growth, momentum and preparing franchise partners for the road ahead. Economist Andrew Hencic followed with a clear-eyed look at the economic pressures businesses are navigating across Canada. From there the sessions barely slowed: leadership, operational planning, ESG, the changing insurance landscape, and what it actually means to build a culture that lasts beyond the current production cycle.
Leadership discussions carried a strong emphasis on culture, teamwork and decision making under pressure. Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team Principal, highlighted this in a fireside chat: “As a leader, my job is to listen and create a safe environment where people can challenge ideas, take risks and speak openly. If people are afraid to put ideas on the table, you will never improve.”
The insurance panel discussion stood out. Claims trends and repair expectations were on the table. The conversations were frank and the tone was collaborative. Cycle Time, ADAS, EV adoption and OEM repair procedures are reshaping the repair process fast, and the pressure to stay current is not going away.
The Firebird at the centre of the auction had its own story to tell. It started as a rusted remnant pulled from Mike Hall's legendary "Field of Dreams" collection in British Columbia, a Pontiac Firebird that few would have looked at twice.
Fix Network vice-president of strategic business development Daryll O'Keefe saw it differently. With support from sponsors including LKQ, NAPA, 3M, Axalta, and Kent Automotive, teams from across the network logged more than 1,000 hours transforming it into a showpiece that turned heads at SEMA in Las Vegas before making its way to Banff.
“This project showed that with the right people behind you, good things happen, even when the odds say different,” said O'Keefe.
Recognition filled the gaps between the hard conversations. The following awards were presented to outstanding franchise partners and contributors from across the network:
Presidents Award - Albert Rosanova - Fix Auto Edmonton West, Edmonton North, Tamarack, Northgate
Performance Award - Fix Auto Edmonton North, ProColor Lebourgneuf, Novus Halifax Bayers Lake
Customer Experience Award - Fix Auto Sherwood Park, ProColor Richmond Hill, Novus Glass North Shore
Brand Ambassador Award – Ben Alleckna The Davis Group (Fix Auto Abbotsford, Airdrie, Chilliwack, Kelowna), Azad Daya Procolor Etobicoke North, Guelph and Barrie, and Will and Jodi Brant, Novus Glass Regina.
One especially meaningful moment for the Collision Repair team came when CRM's own Gloria Mann received the Lifetime Partner Appreciation Award, a reflection of decades of commitment to this industry.
And then there was everything that did not appear on the agenda.
The hallway conversations. The quick introductions. The ideas exchanged over dinner with the Rockies out the window. That is the hidden engine behind a conference like this, and in Banff, those moments happened everywhere.
By the time attendees packed up and headed home, "Ignite the Future" had delivered more than presentations and business updates.
It delivered momentum. It delivered perspective. And thanks to one very determined Firebird, it delivered something bigger than a fundraising milestone: support for families who need it most.
Check out all the photos from the event here: 
