August 25 Educational EvenT - Jacksonville

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Educational Event & Dinner

Date: Tuesday August 25, 2026

Location: Axalta Training Center, Florida State College of Jacksonville Downtown Campus 

Address:  401 West State Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 

Event Times: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

FABA on-site point of contact: Ementi Coary,  Todd Cornell

Topic: Winning the Labor Battle: Profitability, Pay Plans & Technician Retention

 Featured Speaker: Bob Kennedy of WESCO Group

Description:

Join industry expert Bob Kennedy of WESCO Group for an in-depth discussion on one of the biggest challenges facing collision repair businesses today — balancing rising payroll costs with declining effective labor rates while continuing to attract and retain top talent. 

This session will break down the true cost of labor, understanding payroll breakeven points, and how shops can improve profitability without sacrificing culture or employee growth. Attendees will also explore creative compensation strategies designed to create better income opportunities for employees while helping businesses control labor expenses.

Topics will include:

• Understanding effective labor rates vs. actual payroll costs
• Calculating true cost per billable hour
• Payroll breakeven analysis for collision shops
• Creative pay plan structures for technicians and staff
• Recruiting and retaining top-performing technicians
• Becoming the employer of choice in today’s competitive market
• Building long-term stability through workforce development

Whether you are an owner, manager, estimator, or team leader, this presentation will provide actionable insights to help strengthen your business, improve profitability, and build a stronger workforce for the future. 

Reserve your spot today — space is limited! 

Educational Event & Lunch

Date: Wednesday August 26, 2026

Location: Stewart Collision Center & Auto Repair 

Address:   1990 42nd St NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881 

Event Times: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Doors open at 11:30 AM)

FABA on-site point of contact: Jenna Werner

Topic: Winning the Labor Battle: Profitability, Pay Plans & Technician Retention

 Featured Speaker: Bob Kennedy of WESCO Group

Description:

Join industry expert Bob Kennedy of WESCO Group for an in-depth discussion on one of the biggest challenges facing collision repair businesses today — balancing rising payroll costs with declining effective labor rates while continuing to attract and retain top talent. 

This session will break down the true cost of labor, understanding payroll breakeven points, and how shops can improve profitability without sacrificing culture or employee growth. Attendees will also explore creative compensation strategies designed to create better income opportunities for employees while helping businesses control labor expenses.

Topics will include:

• Understanding effective labor rates vs. actual payroll costs
• Calculating true cost per billable hour
• Payroll breakeven analysis for collision shops
• Creative pay plan structures for technicians and staff
• Recruiting and retaining top-performing technicians
• Becoming the employer of choice in today’s competitive market
• Building long-term stability through workforce development

Whether you are an owner, manager, estimator, or team leader, this presentation will provide actionable insights to help strengthen your business, improve profitability, and build a stronger workforce for the future. 

Reserve your spot today — space is limited! 

Educational Event & Dinner

Date: Thursday August 27, 2026

Location: Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Conference Room

Address:   2580 Gulf To Bay Boulevard Clearwater, FL, 33765

Event Times: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

FABA on-site point of contact: Tom Gillespie

Topic: Winning the Labor Battle: Profitability, Pay Plans & Technician Retention

 Featured Speaker: Bob Kennedy of WESCO Group

Description:

Join industry expert Bob Kennedy of WESCO Group for an in-depth discussion on one of the biggest challenges facing collision repair businesses today — balancing rising payroll costs with declining effective labor rates while continuing to attract and retain top talent. 

This session will break down the true cost of labor, understanding payroll breakeven points, and how shops can improve profitability without sacrificing culture or employee growth. Attendees will also explore creative compensation strategies designed to create better income opportunities for employees while helping businesses control labor expenses.

Topics will include:

• Understanding effective labor rates vs. actual payroll costs
• Calculating true cost per billable hour
• Payroll breakeven analysis for collision shops
• Creative pay plan structures for technicians and staff
• Recruiting and retaining top-performing technicians
• Becoming the employer of choice in today’s competitive market
• Building long-term stability through workforce development

Whether you are an owner, manager, estimator, or team leader, this presentation will provide actionable insights to help strengthen your business, improve profitability, and build a stronger workforce for the future. 

Reserve your spot today — space is limited! 

Date: Friday, October 9, 2026

Region: Central

Location: Providence Golf Club

Address:  1518 Clubhouse Blvd, Davenport, FL 33837 

Event Times: 7:30 AM Check-in, 8:30 AM Shotgun Start

Great People. Great People. Stronger Together.