CARSTAR Impact 2026's second day in Halifax focused on helping collision repair franchise owners improve shop performance, manage insurer relationships, and prepare for emerging vehicle technologies and industry changes through presentations on operational metrics, profitability strategies, and future repair trends.
- Performance Awards: Tom Siu of CARSTAR Markham won Rookie of the Year for repair quality focus, while Darryl Hemstreet received the Operations Excellence Award for workflow optimization and strategic leadership.
- Key Topics Covered: Insurer scorecard rankings, day-to-day shop performance optimization, emerging electric and hybrid vehicle claims, advanced driver assistance systems, and repair cost trends.
- Industry Outlook: Ryan Mandell from Mitchell International analyzed collision claims data and examined the future of collision repair amid rapid vehicle technology advancement.
- Operational Focus: Zone directors presented network performance metrics and strategic priorities, while the Operational Performance Team outlined ways to increase profitability and improve franchise scorecard rankings.
- Conference Continues: Impact 2026 concludes August 20 with breakout sessions, marketing discussions, vendor expo, and industry panels supporting franchise owner development.
CARSTAR Canada has used the second day of its Impact 2026 conference in Halifax to focus on shop performance, insurer relations, emerging vehicle technology and operational growth strategies.
The Aug. 20 program at the Halifax Convention Centre opened with the Rookie of the Year Award, presented to Tom Siu of CARSTAR Markham. CARSTAR officials cited Siu’s focus on repair quality and operational performance during his first year with the network, saying the Markham location had quickly established itself as a standout facility.
Darryl Hemstreet, owner of CARSTAR Red Deer and CARSTAR Red Deer South, later received the 2026 Operations Excellence Award. CARSTAR officials highlighted workflow optimization, strategic investment and Hemstreet’s leadership across both Alberta locations.
Between the awards, zone directors Collin Welsh and Andrew Northrup presented performance metrics, industry developments and strategic priorities for the network.
Welsh has worked in franchise development with CARSTAR, while Northrup has held operations roles with the collision repair network. Their session focused on network performance, changes affecting collision repair facilities and operational priorities for the year ahead.
The conference then moved to insurer and shop performance. Vince Matozzo, CARSTAR Canada vice-president of sales and claims services, and franchise performance manager Marie-Eve Tanguay outlined work by the Operational Performance Team.
Their session focused on insurer scorecard rankings, improving day-to-day shop performance and identifying opportunities to increase profitability.
The morning also included an industry outlook from Ryan Mandell, vice-president of strategy and market intelligence for Mitchell International’s Auto Physical Damage division.
Mandell analyzes collision claims and repair data for insurers and repairers, with recent work covering electric and hybrid vehicle claims, advanced driver assistance systems, vehicle complexity and repair costs. His Impact presentation examined the future of collision repair, insurance trends and advancing vehicle technology.
“It has been extremely inspiring to speak to so many passionate leaders from around Canada that are driven to grow their businesses and better serve their customers, insurance partners, team members, and communities,” Mandell wrote following his presentation.
Automotive Industries Association of Canada president and CEO Emily Chung was also among the industry representatives attending the conference.
“Dear Customer: There’s an entire ecosystem you may never see, working behind the scenes to repair your vehicle right and keep you safe on the road,” Chung wrote in a social media post about the conference.
Another part of the program focused on Lorenzo Pellicciotta, who arrived in Halifax after completing his Miles for Sight motorcycle journey across Canada. The coast-to-coast ride supported vision-related initiatives.
Breakout sessions followed the morning presentations, covering business and operational issues. A vendor expo later gave franchisees access to suppliers showcasing collision repair products, technology and services.
“The collision repair industry is changing at an incredible pace, and conferences like Impact help ensure our franchise partners are prepared for what’s next,” said Dave Foster, senior vice-president of operations and development at CARSTAR Canada.
“From operational excellence and emerging technologies to industry trends and performance management, today’s sessions were focused on equipping our owners with the knowledge and tools needed to continue leading in their markets.”
Impact 2026 concludes Aug. 20 with additional breakout sessions, marketing and technology discussions and industry panels. The program is scheduled to end with a Charity Casino Night benefiting Cystic Fibrosis Canada and a Great Gatsby-themed awards gala.
