Delegates From Across Canada Meet In The Olympic City of Vancouver For The 12th Annual CARSTAR Industry Conference

Hamilton, ON, August 20th , 2009 – “What gets measured, gets done.” One of the profound statements made by Sam Mercanti, President and CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc. Mr. Mercanti opened the ceremonies of CARSTAR’s 12th Annual Industry Conference last week. Nearly 300 delegates gathered in Vancouver British Columbia, for the three day event, which took place from August 12th to the14th and attracted CARSTAR franchisees and their families, corporate employees, insurance and vendor partners.

The conference, held at the Westin Bayshore Hotel, brought together leaders from the automotive and insurance industries to share ideas and valuable information. The theme for this year’s conference was Excellerate, which organizers felt demonstrates CARSTAR’s future. The theme is a word coined by CARSTAR and means to accelerate with excellence – faster, better, cheaper, at a profit while adding more value. “We continue to remain the industry leader in our business,” said Sam Mercanti. “This conference was the perfect example of how far we have come as an organization.”

Following three full days of informational sessions, the annual CARSTAR Awards Ceremony took place. The Awards theme was “The White Knight – We Will Rock You”, where delegates were encouraged to dress up like their favourite rock star. Acknowledgments were given to franchise owners who demonstrate distinguished service and outstanding leadership. Congratulations to this year’s President’s Club recipients who include: CARSTAR Kitchener Victoria Street, Ontario; CARSTAR Brossard, Quebec; CARSTAR Kingston Ontario; CARSTAR Sudbury, Ontario; CARSTAR Hamilton Rymal and Gage, Hamilton, Ontario.
Many other franchisees received awards from both the CARSTAR Corporation and various insurance companies. A rock star in her own right, Canadian singer Suzie McNeil, entertained delegates with songs from her current album including her hit “Believe” the theme song for the 2010 Winter Olympics, being held in Vancouver. A special presentation was also given by the Bateson family whose 8-year old daughter Emily suffers with cystic fibrosis. She gave an emotional appreciation to CARSTAR for its National Car Wash Campaign Soaps it Up.

Conference special guests also included: An inspiring key note address given by Cameron Herold Founder of BackPocket COO & Former COO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK; Alain Thibault, President & CEO of TD Insurance; Marilyn McLaren, President & CEO of MPI (Manitoba Public Insurance), Robin Spencer, President & CEO of Aviva Canada, and Alex Sun, CEO of Mitchell International. Aviva Canada, TD Insurance, The Dominion and The Economical Insurance Group hosted breakout sessions during the conference. Also in attendance were RBC General Insurance, Optimum Insurance Co., Intact, ICBC and Family Insurance Solutions.

The conference also included a Business Partners Expo that gave franchisees an opportunity to meet some of the industry’s top companies including insurance and vendor partners. This year more than 45 conference sponsors and partners were present including: Platinum Sponsors - BASF Canada; Gold Sponsors - Akzo Nobel Coatings Ltd., Audatex, DuPont Performance Coatings, Enterprise Rent A Car and Mitchell International; Silver Sponsors – Discount Car & Truck, along with many Bronze Sponsors including 3M Canada, Chief Automotive Technologies, The Intercorp Group, LKQ – Keystone, NAPA – CMAX, Saint Gobain Abrasives Canada and many Star Partners.

Other breakout sessions were hosted by Kunst Art Solutions, OC Tanner and Symphony Advisors.

“Our sponsors and partners are so integral to the success of our company and this conference,” said Mercanti. “We are pleased that they were involved this year and for their continuous support as business partners.”

About CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc.

CARSTAR is the largest and fastest growing automotive repair franchise network with over 400 locations in North America. Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1995, CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc. has grown from eight to over 130 locations throughout 10 provinces. Within Canada CARSTAR repairs approximately 100,000 vehicles per year with the highest rates of customer satisfaction. For more information please visit CARSTAR at www.carstar.ca

For further information, please contact:
Sharon Welch
PR & Communications Specialist
CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc.
1-800-665-2264 ext. 290
swelch@carstar.ca