CIECA announces annual conference dates and speakers

The Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association event will discuss where technology and businesses are headed and what the collision industry can do to prepare

Sanford, N.C.—The Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) has announced that its 17th annual conference, CONNEX 2026, will be held at the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 29-Oct. 1.

This year’s theme is “The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles: Collision Industry Impacts.” The event will be emceed by industry veteran Bill Garoutte. All industry stakeholders, including CIECA members and non-members, are invited to attend.

During the conference, thought leaders and industry experts will discuss where technology and businesses are headed and what the collision industry can do to prepare. A highlight of the conference will be a tour of the Toyota Texas manufacturing facility and Experience Center.

The San Antonio facility is where Toyota manufactures Toyota Tundras and Sequoias. The event will also include a National Auto Body Council NABC Recycled Rides vehicle gifting on Sept. 30.

Speakers

Industry Trends
Keynote speaker Greg Horn, PartsTrader

How Technology is Reshaping the Collision Industry
Keynote speaker Steve Greenfield, Automotive Ventures

Software-Defined Vehicles
Jeremy Carlson, S&P Global Mobility

Connectivity Under the Hood
Matt Harden, AT&T Connected Cars

OEM Perspective
Dan Malik, Slate Auto

OEM Repair Procedures Panel
Pat Blech, OEC; Tim Brown, ALLDATA; and Jake Rodenroth, Quality Collision Group

Chief Information Officer (CIO) Panel Discussion
Mark Miller, Crash Champions; Casey Santos, Caliber Collision; and Creighton Warren, Boyd Group

Insurance Insights Panel Discussion
Teresa Candiloro, State Farm; and Paul Riffel, GAINSCO

From Data Blind Spots to Privacy-Defined Vehicles
Andrea Amico, Privacy4Cars

The Impact of the Changing Vehicle Fleet on Auto Safety and Insurance
Matt Moore, IIHS

The Dark Side of AI
Eliron Eckstein, RAVIN AI

Software-Defined Standards and ADAS Calibration
Nabeel Adam, Safelite; and Charlie Rich, Azimuth Claims

Software-Defined Vehicles, Silos and the Sector’s Infrastructure Problem
Levi Fawcett, Partly

CIECA API Standards (CAPIS) Update
Paul Barry, CIECA

Agenda

Tuesday, Sept. 29: CIECA Open Board Meeting, complimentary tour options for the Toyota Texas manufacturing facility and Experience Center, and welcome reception for all attendees

Wednesday, Sept. 30: Full day of presentations, National Auto Body Council NABC Recycled Rides® vehicle gifting and evening reception

Thursday, Oct. 1: Half day of presentations, lunch, and complimentary tour option for the Toyota Texas Manufacturing facility and Experience Center

During the same week, the following industry events will be held:

NACE/CARS Conference: The Automotive Service Association (ASA) will be holding the NACE/CARS Conference for the independent automotive service and collision repair industry. Reimagined for today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, the rebooted conference will bring together industry leaders, innovators, educators, manufacturers and independent shop owners from across North America for a one-day, fast-paced, interactive learning and networking experience. Additional details will be announced soon.

WIN Meet-Up: The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) invites professionals to attend an hour of networking and connection while learning more about WIN and its mission. Guests are encouraged to bring a colleague who is not currently a WIN member. The event will be held on Tuesday, September 29, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CST, at the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio, Texas.

For information about CIECA CONNEX 2026, click here.