As we, as a society, emerge from the pandemic, and we, as an industry, see glimmers of the end of historic supply shortages, I’m doing a bit of a slow emergence myself, from behind the scenes to being a more public face for Canadian auto dealer. Don’t worry, Todd Phillips is still here, backing the publication with his deep industry knowledge, connections, and finely-honed journalistic instincts, but he’s now spreading his creative talents more evenly across the company.
Happily, I have a great team, including one of the best auto writers in the business, Perry Lefko, and a stable of the most knowledgeable and talented columnists in the country. Getting out there for the magazine also coincides with a new season that includes lots of industry conventions, shows and events where I, and the Canadian auto dealer team, can get out and make connections in person, all over the country. And sometimes even outside the country.
In September, The Western Canadian Dealer Summit was my initiation to automotive conventions, and it was so impressive we made it the cover of this issue. It was incredible to meet, in-person, our dealer readers, and find out what is on everyone’s minds these days. Of course the highlight of the three-day event was the opportunity to meet Jim Pattison, the industry legend and billionaire philanthropist. Pattison generously gave his time, meeting people, chatting informally, and concluding the Summit with a fireside conversation where he recounted some of his early adventures in automotive. A few of us from Vancouver got the treat of a lifetime when he kindly offered to fly us home on his private jet! It was a truly memorable experience.
The provincial associations really go all out to bring attendees the most up-to-date information on technology, industry and consumer trends and government policy, all in a fun and inspirational setting, this time at the posh Wynn Las Vegas. The professional sessions and sponsors created a great deal of value for attendees, and the social events were a wonderful way to reconnect with suppliers, colleagues and industry friends old and new.
I’m really looking forward to connecting with everyone this month, at TADA’s ACE Convention at Niagara Falls, Ontario. ACE promises to be an electrifying event, featuring speakers like Chris Hadfield, and representatives from Google Data and TikTok, talking about using technology to overcome obstacles. Look for the Canadian auto dealer and Universus Media Group booth on the trade show floor, come over for your free professional headshot, and meet the team!
Come November, I’m going to be in the Maritimes at the CADEX convention in Halifax, which I’m also really excited about. This half-day conference for dealers features speakers like CADA’s Tim Reuss, Canadian auto dealer publisher Niel Hiscox, Global Automakers of Canada’s David Adams and many more industry experts. Then in January, we’re hightailing it down to Dallas for the NADA Show, where we’re sure to meet loads of people from all over North America and learn about the very latest innovations and trends we’ll be seeing in the years to come.
So if you see me, please come over and introduce yourself. I love meeting industry people, talking about the business of selling cars and hearing how we can make the magazine better for all our readers.
