As our readers know, it’s my pleasure and privilege to be part of the planning committee for the CADA Summit, the one-day thought leadership event put on in mid-February by the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association.
We start planning the speaker line-up for the Summit almost immediately following the previous year’s event. Driven by a combination of the attendee feedback forms (yes, we really do read, debate and argue over those) and the issues we see driving the industry, we set out each year to raise the bar of the previous iteration.
I’m happy to say that I think we have done just that.
At this point in the year, the agenda is set and we’re in the final run to the Summit itself. Registration is open and well under way. You can see the full agenda at www.cada.ca. For now, I’d like to highlight a few of the sessions that I am particularly looking forward to.
We’re starting the day with an economic update from Beata Caranci, Chief Economist and SVP, TD Bank Group. From all I’ve read lately, the year ahead is expected to see new vehicle sales step back from 2018. Given that, I’m eager to get the deeper understanding that this session will provide.
Building on the economic update, Robert Karwel, senior automotive practice leader at J.D. Power Canada will add a layer of automotive-specific perspective. Together, these two sessions will give dealers much food for thought in considering what 2019 will bring.
Mobility as a service, subscription-based vehicle ownership and the ride sharing economy continue to push into the mainstream
Maryann Keller, one of the automotive industry’s leading analysts, will help us understand how global trends are shaping the auto industry and consumer choice. Our industry is changing fast. At last year’s Summit, NADA President and CEO Peter Welch suggested that change won’t be as broad or arrive as fast as many suggest. I think he’s wrong, and I’m eager to hear what Maryann thinks will shape our businesses in the next few years.
Given the extent to which new purchase pathways and data connectivity promise to change the traditional customer-dealer relationship, some digital-centric strategic sessions are a must-have. We have a few great ones.
Warren Ritchie, author of Competing in a Connecting World, will share his thoughts on what increasing connectivity means for the relationship between car dealers and consumers. I’ve read Warren’s book. It’s eye-opening. There’s no question that the Internet of Things will change traditional customer service and create new revenue opportunities. Warren will help us understand the how and why.
Mobility as a service, subscription-based vehicle ownership and the ride sharing economy continue to push into the mainstream. These are often presented as a threat to dealers but John Possumato, CEO of Automotive Mobile Solutions has a different view. He believes dealers are ideally positioned to reap the benefits of these opportunities, and will tell us why.
These are a few of the sessions that stand out to me, but there are more:
- Nik Nanos, Chair of Nanos Research, will give us a window into what Canadians are thinking.
- Andrew Coyne, the always colourful National Post columnist, will offer his insights on the political climate and what it means for Canadian business.
- And Brendan Shanahan, President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, will talk about building a winning team and culture.
- Our always-popular dealer panel will feature Shahin Alizadeh (Downtown Automotive Group, Toronto), Jim McManes (McManes Auto Group, Calgary) and John Hairabedian (HGregoire Group, Montreal).
As I said at the start, I think we did a good job. Congratulations to the CADA team for putting together another remarkable day for dealers. And thank you to TD Auto Finance who is once again the Exclusive Sponsor of the Summit.
See you in Toronto in February!
