Early registration has opened for the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association’s 17th annual CONNEX conference, set to take place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2026, at the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio, Texas.
CONNEX 2026 will bring together collision repairers, insurers, OEMs, technology providers and suppliers for three days of discussion about where the industry is heading.
This year’s theme, the rise of software-defined vehicles: collision industry impacts, will focus on how increasingly software-driven vehicles are expected to reshape diagnostics, repair planning and electronic data exchange.
“Perhaps, more than ever, the industry faces new challenges and opportunities created by the software-defined vehicle and the impacts it will have for all segments of the industry,” said Paul Barry, CIECA’s executive director. “It is critical for CIECA and its members to be positioned to meet these challenges and leverage the opportunities.”
A key highlight will be a tour of the Toyota Texas manufacturing facility and Experience Center in San Antonio, where Toyota builds the Tundra and Sequoia. Tours will be offered in multiple groups throughout the conference, though space will be limited and separate registration will be required.
The event will begin Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a CIECA open board meeting, the first Toyota tour groups and an evening reception. Wednesday, Sept. 30, will feature a full day of presentations, a NABC Recycled Rides vehicle gifting and a CIECA reception. The conference will conclude Thursday, Oct. 1, with a half day of sessions, lunch and a final round of plant tours.
The full speaker lineup will be announced in the spring. Sponsorship opportunities are available and CIECA is accepting speaking proposals.
CIECA develops electronic communication standards designed to help the collision industry operate more efficiently, enabling repairers, insurers, OEMs and technology companies to communicate electronically regardless of platform or software.
