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Courage Distributing, based in Mississauga, Ontario, has become
notorious for its window film and paint protection seminars over the
past decade.

Courage Distributing, based in Mississauga, Ontario, has become notorious for its window film and paint protection seminars over the past decade. These seminars began back in 1994 with a modest crowd of window film enthusiasts who wanted to become more educated and informed through Courage Distributing’s expert staff and knowledgeable customer base. Networking was merely a catch phrase when these installing entrepreneurs took part in what has become the benchmark for window film education sessions.

This year, the 2006 Window Film and Paint Protection Seminars proved to be the biggest and best ever. The Vancouver, British Columbia, session which took place on Sunday, March 5 hosted more than 120 people and 14 tint-off participants. The Toronto session, held on Sunday, March 19, had to change venues as its growth required more floor space. It hosted more than 230 industry installers and 17 tint-off participants.

Todd (left) and Trent Courage hosted the 2006 Canadian Window Film and Paint Protection seminars in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Toronto, Ontario, in March.

Both days were prefaced by a cocktail party the night before to welcome all attendees, including those who travelled from a distance. Every province was represented between the two events.

“The seminars take on a different feel every two to three years,” says Trent Courage, director of sales and marketing at Courage. “We try to mix the format up a little so that we continue attracting the regulars as well as the companies that have never experienced one of these events.”

This year’s event started with a complimentary continental breakfast and a virtual tour of FTI, the manufacturer of Sun-Gard and Glass-Gard films, which exposed attendees to the multi-million dollar upgrades and expansions the company has recently made. It continued with an introduction to the day’s events at the different ‘stations’ that were available to visitors. These stations provided information on all areas of the window film industry including; automotive, solar control, safety/security film and glass enhancement. As a different twist, additional sessions were given on accounts receivable and collections as well as sales and service techniques.

One of the more popular events is the ‘tint-off’ competition which hosts the country’s best installers going head-to-head in accuracy, speed and overall quality of a film installation. After the complimentary lunch buffet, the crowd gathered to see who would win the lightning fast ‘speed demon’ competition.

Other products showcased at the seminar included TintManager Pro, a point-of-sale software geared to the film industry, but easily customized to add other products; Protection One clear urethane paint protection for cars and Tintronix automotive film cutting software.

Since the company began hosting these free seminars, there have been many who have tried to copy the format and idea. Most have stopped trying, however; for the ones that have continued, Todd Courage, director of operations, says “Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and we encourage it. If any of our competitors host their own, we think it’s great, it only makes our industry better and stronger,” he says. “There is no other venue in Canada for window film professionals to get this sort of education. We invite all interested stakeholders to keep an eye out for the Canadian Window Film and Paint Protection seminars next year in March as there is always something new to be learned through these fun events.” -end-