This special issue of Canadian auto dealer is designed in part to be a throwback to the old days of journalism where the corner newsie would yell
out the big news of the day: “Extra, Extra, Read all about it! CADA names new Laureates!”
The cover treatment featuring the CADA Laureate jacket that each winner receives, along with our exclusive coverage, is designed to generate excitement for the three new dealer principals who join the esteemed ranks of their fellow CADA Laureates — now bringing the entire CADA Laureate class to 30.
This attention is well deserved, and helps to inspire fellow auto dealers who can learn first hand about who won, why the independent judges from
the Ivey Business School picked them, and hear some of the winners own comments.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting most of the CADA Laureates, and have been able to interview the winners almost immediately after they received the news they’ve been chosen. We feature excerpts of those interviews in this issue of the magazine.
The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association also thinks it’s a big deal to recognize this accomplishment, and for the past two years have released a video in advance of this issue of the magazine to promote the 15 finalists, and a followup video celebrating the winners in three categories.
We work closely with CADA to keep the names of the winners and the details of why they won secret until all dealers get to share the news with the magazine. Those who don’t know what goes on behind the scenes with this special CADA Laureate dealer recognition program would be amazed at the incredible attention to detail that governs the entire process. In particular, the integrity of who gets selected each year is so important that CADA doesn’t know who the winners will be until they hear from the independent judges.
This third party validation helps ensure that those special few who receive their special CADA Laureate jackets can stand tall and proud and fully bask in the glow that this recognition bestows upon them as the elite in their industry. You can’t nominate yourself, there’s no way to move to the head of the line, and you could be the head of a large dealer group or represent a single dealership. It doesn’t matter to the judges —they choose based on merit alone.
On behalf of Canadian auto dealer, I’d like to extend a hearty congratulations to the 2015 CADA Laureate class, and to all the winning Laureates. You collectively set a standard that other dealers can aspire to reach.
Imagine how proud a moment it would be to receive the call that you need to be fitted for your Laureate jacket.
