Top 5 moments from BHPH Dealer Forum 2023.

Tricolor and Ganas Ya’s Daniel Chu, Byrider’s Jim Wright and CarHop’s Don Griffin, three of the larger firms in the BHPH industry with more than 100 rooftops, shared their views on the current market with dealers during the Dealer Forum. They also encouraged fellow dealers heading into 2024.

“It’s been a year that has enabled companies like us to dig deep and figure out a strategy that we can execute to get through the short-term impediments, but at the same time take the longest view in the room,” Chu said. “I think there’s truth in the idea that with every problem or setback, there’s opportunity. It’s just a matter of having the right mindset to capture that.”

For three hours, dealers picked each other’s brains on various topics to get help with their dealerships.

Dealers were matched up with other dealers of similar size and configuration. Dan Grosvenor of 5 Star Auto in St. Charles, Mo., enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with several new dealers.

“It was like visiting someone else’s 20 Group. You get to hear from everyone and see what they are doing,” Grosvenor said. “There’s 100 different ways to do this business.”

In the all-new Dealer Lounge, dealers had the opportunity to sit and discuss solutions for their businesses with industry partners and vendors. The format allowed for a relaxed and natural setting, often times talking shop over a drink or meal together.

Dealers had the opportunity to network and get their competitive juices flowing at the Fowling Warehouse. The combination of football and bowling brought dealers and vendors together. It was one of the several events that kept the conversation going throughout the Dealer Forum.

In the closing session, dealers recounted their best tips and practices learned from the roundtables. Each moderator had at least one dealer from their group present a top idea.

Jeff Watson of 4 Seasons Auto shared his innovative pay structure for techs. Dan Francis of Andrews Auto Sales described maintenance reminder alerts as a way to keep in touch with customers. Billie Northern explained Auto Express’ offering a life coach for employees. Tommy Brandis of Mid-Atlantic IADA reminded dealers that they are in the relationship business.

Mark Anderson of Anderson and Sons detailed how his dealership has been able to create community with its vehicle giveaway to a needy family at Christmas time. Anderson went on to share that his dealership received 7,500 nominations a previous year which turned into leads, while helping out a family at the same time.