NORCROSS, Ga. - AkzoNobel Car Refinishes Americas has announces that it will begin the process for accepting nominations for the 2009 Most Influential Women (MIW) award. The recognition program, typically held during the first week of November in Las Vegas, will be staged in 2010.

“2009 has been an extraordinary business year,” noted Tim Loden, Director of Marketing for AkzoNobel Car Refinishes Americas. Loden elaborates, “This year has required many difficult choices to be made. We recognize the positive social impact that the MIW program has brought to the collision repair industry. Therefore, we are choosing to sustain this commitment to the industry by recognizing the leaders that work to make it better. In addition, we will maintain our endowment to the I-CAR Education Foundation honoring the MIW recipients and providing needed financial assistance for those wishing to become a part of our industry.”

In 2008 the MIW program marked its 10-year anniversary. During the 10-year history the program has highlighted the contributions of approximately 80 industry leaders. Notably, through the I-CAR Education Foundation MIW Scholarship Fund, the program has been able to touch the lives of an array of students aspiring to make the collision repair ndustry a career destination.

Alumnae members of the MIW program have provided the stimulus for the formation of the Women’s Industry Network (WIN). This new industry association is targeted at promoting both workforce expansion and knowledge of women within collision repair.