It was a welcome opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and auto industry friends on September 22-24 at the Wynn Las Vegas, when the Western Canadian Dealer Summit began. The Canadian auto dealer team was on hand to meet the dealers, the suppliers and industry experts who gathered to socialize and learn where the industry is headed, and what the new tools are to get there.
“It has been so great to get back to Vegas after four years away,” said Gerald Wood, President, MDA of Alberta. “The support from our sponsors and members from all three provinces has delivered an event that included some outstanding presenters on important topics to our industry today, as well as the opportunity to reconnect with our industry peers in a relaxed and fun environment.”
One of the attendees garnered some extra well-deserved attention: 93-year-old Jimmy Pattison was present for all of the three days, taking in the presentations and posing for pictures with people delighted to meet the billionaire and automotive legend. Pattison has deep ties to the Western Canadian automotive community, having been born in Saskatchewan and building his business from a base of auto dealerships in BC.
For someone who could easily justify taking some time to relax from running a business and philanthropic empire, Pattison was extraordinarily generous with his time. He was often seen chatting with admirers, and told a rapt audience about some of his many memorable experiences over his long career, in a fireside conversation with NCDA BC’s CEO Blair Qualey and Chair Anthony Lunelli at the Summit Gala at the end of the conference.
“In addition to an amazing array of speakers and information sharing, we were honoured with a closing fireside chat involving automotive icon, Mr. Jim Pattison who had some very personal and inspiring words for everyone in attendance,” said Qualey. “This year’s Summit, co-hosted with our colleagues from Alberta and Saskatchewan, has proved once again to be an important gathering place for those who drive our industry.”
The event was a success on many levels, with dealers getting to connect with their colleagues, and sit in informative learning sessions that ranged from succession planning, to dealership security, to franchise law, to fixed ops and parts, to how to market your business onTikTok, and how to use Think with Google.
“The occasion for dealer-to-dealer communication is second to none, but also, the dealer-to-vendor relationship interaction is instrumental in the success of the industry,” said Saskatchewan Auto Dealer Association CEO, Larry Heggs.
