Presenters Announced for CIECA CONNEX 2026 Annual Conference

05-12-2026 04:19 PM - By Stacey Phillips Ronak

The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles: Collision Industry Impacts

CIECA announced that its 17th annual conference, CONNEX 2026, Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 29-Oct. 1The Rise of Software-Defined Vehicles: Collision Industry Impacts

During the conference, thought leaders and industry experts will discuss where technology and businesses are headed and what the collision industry can do to prepare.

“Events like CONNEX are so important because they bring the industry together to learn, connect and support one another,” said CIECA Chairwoman Kim DeVallance Caron, business development director for Enterprise Mobility. “As software-defined vehicles rapidly reshape our industry, this year’s theme reflects the need to better understand these changes and align on how we move forward—together.

This year’s sponsors include:

Diamond: IAA and OEC

Platinum: I-CAR

Gold: CCC Intelligent Solutions, Enterprise Mobility, Nexsyis Collision and Solera

Silver: Car-PartPro.com, Comsearch, Mitchell, an Enlyte company, Revv and Safelite

Speakers:

Industry Trends

Keynote speaker Greg Horn, PartsTrader

How Technology is Reshaping the Collision Industry

Keynote speaker Steve Greenfield, Automotive Ventures

Software-Defined Vehicles

Jeremy Carlson, S&P Global Mobility

Connectivity Under the Hood

Matt Harden, AT&T Connected Cars

OEM Perspective

Dan Malik, Slate Auto

OEM Repair Procedures Panel

Pat Blech, OEC; Tim Brown, ALLDATA; and Jake Rodenroth, Quality Collision Group

Chief Information Officer (CIO) Panel Discussion

Mark Miller, Crash Champions; Casey Santos, Caliber Collision; and Creighton Warren, Boyd Group

Insurance Insights Panel Discussion

Teresa Candiloro, State Farm; and Paul Riffel, GAINSCO

From Data Blind Spots to Privacy-Defined Vehicles

Andrea Amico, Privacy4Cars

The Impact of the Changing Vehicle Fleet on Auto Safety and Insurance
Matt Moore, IIHS

The Dark Side of AI

Eliron Eckstein, RAVIN AI

Software-Defined Standards and ADAS Calibration

Nabeel Adam, Safelite; and Charlie Rich, Azimuth Claims

Software-Defined Vehicles, Silos and the Sector’s Infrastructure Problem

Levi Fawcett, Partly

CIECA API Standards (CAPIS) Update

Paul Barry, CIECA

Agenda:

Tuesday, Sept. 29: CIECA Open Board Meeting, complimentary tour options for the Toyota Texas manufacturing facility and Experience Center, and welcome reception for all attendees

Wednesday, Sept. 30: Full day of presentations, National Auto Body Council NABC Recycled Rides® vehicle gifting and evening reception

Thursday, Oct. 1: Half day of presentations, lunch, and complimentary tour option for the Toyota Texas Manufacturing facility and Experience Center

During the same week, the following industry events will be held:

NACE/CARS Conference: The Automotive Service Association (ASA) will be holding the NACE/CARS Conference for the independent automotive service and collision repair industry. Reimagined for today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, the rebooted conference will bring together industry leaders, innovators, educators, manufacturers and independent shop owners from across North America for a one-day, fast-paced, interactive learning and networking experience. Additional details will be announced soon.

WIN Meet-Up: TheWomen’s Industry Network (WIN)invites professionals to attend an hour of networking and connection while learning more about WIN and its mission. Guests are encouraged to bring a colleague who is not currently a WIN member. The event will be held onTuesday, September 29, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. CST, at the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio, Texas.

Thank you to the following publications for sharing this announcement:

Aftermarket Matters

Collision Matters