The MDA and MMDA provincial dealer associations deserve a lot of credit for a couple of great events. As you see reported in this issue, the Canadian auto dealer team travelled to Manitoba and Alberta to take part in the MMDA’s conference in Winnipeg and the MDA’s conference in Banff.
These two events demonstrated something I’ve seen all year long. Namely, that the provincial and national associations are raising the bar as far as conference content is concerned. From the CADA Summit and TADA Digital Dealer events earlier this year, to the NSADA’s CADEX event in Halifax in April, dealers, sponsors and others have had the chance to participate in top notch industry gatherings all year long. Winnipeg and Banff offered great speakers, well-conceived agendas, and perhaps most importantly, very strong dealer participation.
Dealer attendance was strong in both Banff and Winnipeg. The audiences were big, engaged and attentive. It was great to see, and great to be part of.
I was particularly pleased, because at a time of such dramatic changes in the industry, these gatherings offer dealers critical opportunities to share ideas, learn from others beyond their 20 groups, and be part of forging new directions. And new directions are needed. Think consolidation, digital marketing, social media, continually extending service intervals, and much more.
The Canadian auto dealer team travels to dealer events across North America. I can say without hesitation that the quality of the Canadian events is on par with the best of those south of the border, and often more reflective of our market needs. Dealers don’t need to bring a passport to get access to great speakers that offer great insights. They can look in their own backyards.
The reason for this is straightforward. Your national and provincial association teams across the country have been doing the legwork and logging the flying time to get out and see who those great speakers are. The homework they are putting in is raising the bar here in Canada.
Now we look ahead to the New Car Dealers Association of of B.C.’s gathering in Whistler in September. Based on the line-up, I’m expecting another great event. We’ll be there. Will you?
