Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 2026) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) 24th Annual Golf Fundraiser brought collision industry professionals together for a day of networking, camaraderie and giving back to the next generation of collision repairers. Co-hosted by PPG Automotive Finishes, the July 21 event was held at Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge, …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 2026) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is excited to welcome Amanda Valmonte, Business Development Manager for PPG Automotive Refinish, to its Board of Trustees. “We are honored to welcome Amanda Valmonte to our Board,” shares Brenda Hogen, Chair of CREF’s Board of Trustees. “Her extensive experience and dedication to …
CREF Welcomes Amanda Valmonte to Board of Trustees Read More »
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 2026) – For years, a common misconception has lingered around automotive trade schools: the belief that a collision repair career begins and ends on the shop floor. That’s far from reality; today’s collision repair industry reaches far beyond the repair bay, creating opportunities in product development, technical training, research, OEM programs, …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (August 2026) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) continues to invest in the next generation of collision repair professionals through its annual Student Scholarship program. In 2026, CREF distributed over $195,000 in scholarships to 102 students pursuing careers in the collision industry. Additionally, for the third consecutive year, the Women’s Industry …
Building Futures: Industry Support Fuels Student Success Through 2026 CREF Scholarships Read More »
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (July 2026) – Collision repair is often associated with precision measurements, repair procedures and technical expertise. But ask anyone who’s ever laid out a custom graphic, blended a flawless color match or transformed a damaged panel into something beautiful, and they’ll explain that restoring a vehicle is just as much an art …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (July 2026) – Fifteen years ago, the collision repair program at Maxwell High School of Technology in Lawrenceville, GA served roughly 28 students. Today, enrollment has climbed to approximately 120 students – a transformation fueled by consistent leadership, industry engagement and a long-standing, three-way partnership with the Atlanta I-CAR Committee and the …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 2026) – Long after the final bell rings at Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School, the collision repair shop is still alive with activity. Students stay late practicing welds, masking panels or refining spray techniques. Some arrive before sunrise to spend extra hours in the paint booth before …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 2026) – Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. (IAA) is deepening its commitment to the future of the collision repair industry by increasing its annual support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) from $75,000 to $100,000 in 2026. The increased contribution reinforces IAA’s longstanding belief that investing in collision repair education is …
IAA Increases Support of Collision Repair Education Foundation to $100,000 in 2026 Read More »
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 2026) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is proud to recognize and thank the many industry partners whose in-kind donations continue to shape the future of collision repair education. In 2025 alone, these contributions totaled over $9 million, equipping schools across the country with the tools, technology and resources needed …
Hoffman Estates, Ill. (June 2026) – The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is proud to announce the return of its 5th Annual Art Meets Automotive Competition for 2026, introducing an exciting opportunity for both students and instructors to showcase their creativity and craftsmanship. This year’s event also signals a significant milestone in industry support as …
