National Auto Body Council (NABC)

Lost in the Wreckage of Disappointment

I've been to a few industry events, but the NABC Gala was a masterclass in disappointment. As someone who's passionate about the auto body industry, I was expecting an evening of meaningful connections and celebration of our community's achievements. What I got was a bunch of suits talking about 'synergy' and 'disruption' while completely ignoring the real issues facing our industry. The Recycled Rides program sounds great on paper, but I've seen firsthand how it's executed - it's all about photo ops and PR, not actual change. And don't even get me started on the Palm Springs Golf Event; it's just an excuse for the higher-ups to network and pat each other on the back while the rest of us are left to deal with the real problems. The Level One Partners seem more interested in slapping their logos everywhere than actually contributing to the community. I left feeling like I'd just witnessed a bad episode of 'Mad Men' - all style, no substance. Until NABC focuses on real issues and stops prioritizing appearances, I'll be taking my business (and my philanthropy) elsewhere.