The International Bodyshop Industry Symposium – IBIS 2010 – which is sponsored by 3M, Audatex, DuPont, EMM and Thatcham, will take place at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster, London on June 9-11, 2010.

Announcing the theme for the 10th anniversary of IBIS, ‘Raising the Standard’ Chairman Chris Mann said that it was vital for collision repair leaders to demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that the collision repair market is ‘fit for purpose’ in today’s regulation and technology driven age.

‘Having had lengthy dialogue with our colleagues and contacts from around the world it is clear to me, and my IBIS colleagues, that the industry standards – covering all sectors of the collision repair market including bodyshop operations, repair processes, technician accreditation, aftermarket parts accreditation and consumer protection – headlines the ‘critical issues’ agenda, right across the stakeholder spectrum.

‘Increasing repair complexity, along with the spectre of litigation and corporate social responsibility, have combined to highlight the problems caused by a lack of a cohesive and effective standards infrastructure for the collision repair industry. This applies to emerging markets just as much as ‘mature’ markets, and failure to address the issue could well result in the imposition of external standards which, as well as being hugely onerous, could well fail to achieve their desired effect and have potentially disastrous unintended consequences.

‘The UK has been at the forefront of the development and implementation of meaningful operational and technician standards initiatives for the body repair sector so, with IBIS 2010 taking place in London, it is particularly appropriate for this to be the focus of our tenth anniversary programme. We believe that IBIS has a responsibility to drive this issue, making full use of its unique international network of industry leaders and influencers’.

IBIS 2010 Symposium proceedings commence at approximately 14:00 on Wednesday 9 June. Traditional English Tea will be served for the afternoon break and the Delegates’ Welcome Dinner will be held in the evening. Thursday 10 June will comprise a full day’s Symposium proceedings, including refreshments and lunch, followed by the International Dinner. The Symposium will conclude on Friday morning with the Delegates’ Departure Breakfast.

The IBIS 2010 delegate package costs AU$3200 and includes two nights accommodation (Wednesday and Thursday); Afternoon Tea and Delegates' Welcome Dinner (Wednesday); breakfast, refreshments, lunch and International Dinner (Thursday); Delegates' Departure Breakfast Friday; full Delegate Information Pack; IBIS 2010 Proceedings Report (supplied in digital format subsequent to the event). We also offer a Partner Package (based on shared accommodation with spouse/partner) at a cost of AU$850, including all of the above but excepting attendance at the Symposium and the Symposium publications.

As places are limited, please book as soon as possible by contacting Michel Malik on (02) 9826 7777 or via email to michel@bodyshopnews.net.