It’s always a privilege for me to get an up close and personal view of the CADA Summit. Starting about a year before the event, our organizing committee meets regularly and we engage in discussions around topics, speakers and how to change things up each time.
Those of you who have attended will know that I have the added pleasure of moderating some of the sessions and interacting with some of the great speakers. It gives me a chance to further explore topics that I believe are (or ought to be) on the minds of car dealers.
Here are some things that struck me about this year’s event:
Peter Welch, the NADA’s President & CEO, provided a perspective on the dealership of the future, that seemed aimed at reassuring the dealer audience. For Welch, the future looks a lot like today, with dealers at the heart of the industry, selling and servicing vehicles and offering a host of other related services. Electric vehicle adoption will be slow, and dealers will adapt to new technologies and market entrants.
Welch’s outlook was at odds with some of the other presentations, and in stark contrast with predictions on the future of auto retail we hear at other industry events. Frankly, I think the industry needs to adapt and change rapidly, and I don’t get the sense many dealers feel very reassured these days.
Other speakers, like author John Ellis, offered a perspective many wouldn’t have heard before. For Ellis, it’s all about the data that the dozens of sensors in your car collect, and will soon be able to collect — about everything you do — and everywhere you go. That information is worth a lot of money to companies who know how to use it. He predicts that more of us will soon be selling access to our private data in exchange for money or lowered costs for goods or services. He expects our industry to change a lot — and quickly.
For Ellis, it’s all about the data that the dozens of sensors in your car collect, and will soon be able to collect — about everything you do — and everywhere you go.
There was a lot of positive buzz about the presentation by Sheryl Connelly, Futurist for Ford Motor Company. She considers consumer and technology trends — inside and outside the auto industry — and tries to imagine a host of possible outcomes. She told an interesting story of how she got to where she is and what we might expect to see unfold in the years ahead.
I don’t have the space here to recap all of the speakers, but the day was filled with insights and provided lots of food for thought for dealers.
A special treat was hearing former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney offer his views about the current state of NAFTA talks, and share stories of what went on behind the scenes in Washington when it was being negotiated. Mulroney knows how to work a crowd, and had the audience engaged with his wit, and storytelling skills.
I’d like to recognize the CADA team who work tirelessly behind the scenes pulling together such a great event. This year’s venue, located on the grounds of the Canadian International AutoShow, made it feel even more connected to our industry.
I’d also like to thank TD Auto Finance for their continued support as the sole and exclusive sponsor of this event. They have never wavered in getting behind this event that is designed solely to help dealers stay at the top of their game.
I look forward to diving in to help plan next year’s event!
