Mountain States Collision Repair Assocation holds successful first event

As the industry’s newest association, the Mountain States Collision Repair Association, covering Colorado and Utah, held its first in-person event last month. 

Megan Mueller, founder and president of the association, currently has 24 member shops between the two states, some of which it gained during the live n-person event held in Denver. She said the event also helped build multiple sponsorships. 

“Getting the association up and running has been more difficult than anticipated but the in-person event’s success showed our entire board how much people want to see the association build into something great,” Mueller said. 

The concept was created following a conversation Mueller had with Erin Solis, Square One Systems/Coyote Vision Group senior vice president. 

Mueller said she mentioned to Solis the desire to start an association for Colorado after seeing the success of other collision repair associations throughout the country. 

“There is something wonderful about connecting with like-minded businesses that face many of the same challenges each day and having those other members be local,” Mueller said.

Solis expressed a similar desire but suggested including Utah and calling it the Mountain States Collision Repair Association, Mueller said. 

“We gathered a few other passionate people and started putting our heads together,” Mueller said. “We knew that we wanted an association that was positive and solution-focused, not a bunch of people that simply get together and complain. Our ultimate goal is to provide resources that support safe and proper repairs being performed throughout the states and support collision repair businesses.” 

Mueller said the industry is full of challenges. She said this includes marketing, insurance negotiations, customer education, increasing costs, and decreased availability of skilled labor. 

“Without a network, it can often feel like you don’t even know where to begin to find solutions,” Mueller said. 

The association currently hosts monthly webinars featuring industry speakers for its members. It also plans to hold at least one in-person event a month, which could be expanded to two in the future, Mueller said. 

Mueller said Mike Anderson of Collision Advice has offered to present for the association in the future. 

“We recognize how incredibly blessed we are that we do not have to reinvent the wheel,” Mueller said. “There are many successful associations throughout the county, and so many of them have helped us thus far by sharing their experience.”

Membership to the association is $300 per year for a single shop and $500 per year for a multi-shop member. Anyone interested in being a member should contact [email protected].

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Mountain States Collision Repair Association’s first live event in Denver/Courtesy of Mountain States Collision Repair Association.