We cannot wait to be back in person at NIADA Convention 2022, but don’t just take our word for it. We’ve asked a few dealers and presenters to share what they are most looking forward to.
A couple of weeks before the NIADA Convention, June 20-23, our members are excited to reconnect with old friends and learn something new. It has been two years since we met in person, and we are back bigger and better than ever.
The NIADA Convention is our Super Bowl. It’s where the industry leaders gather to learn from each other, learn about new products, and share ideas. I love being with the members, hearing the stories and successes, and hearing about the challenges. I can’t wait for the meeting to start. And I hate when it ends.
Bob Voltmann, CEO, NIADA
We heard you loud and clear, “dealers want to hear from other dealers,” so we’ve packed more dealer panels than ever before!
The convention includes more than 60 educational sessions, including 15 breakout sessions with dealer panels. Plus, another 15 sessions with NIADA staff moderating or presenting.
The sessions are presented in five tracks: Sales and Marketing, Retail, Buy Here-Pay Here/Lease Here-Pay Here Service, and Human Resources/Operations. The tracks cover all aspects of dealership operations, such as digital retailing, financing and capitalization, F&I, leadership, legal and compliance, marketing, taxes and accounting, underwriting, and collections.
The highlights include Ken Shilson’s annual BHPH benchmarks and sessions on inventory acquisition and management, technology, analytics and data, consumer buying behavior trends, dealership diversity, reconditioning, reinsurance, and financial planning.
Everyone is excited to meet in Las Vegas in June, but don’t take our word for it. Here’s what some dealers have to say:
I am looking forward to the 2022 NIADA tradeshow and conference. It is a great opportunity to connect with dealers and vendors I haven’t seen in a few years. In addition, I have friends in the running for Quality Dealer of the Year and look forward to celebrating with them.
-Janine Brancale, Star Auto Sales
“Fellow dealers have asked me why I go to the NIADA Convention, and the answer is pretty simple, knowledge to help us be a better, more profitable, and compliant dealer. In one location, I get up-to-date and breaking information from sales to service, including training and exposure to speakers and products that will help us achieve our desired success.
The fun side of the convention is seeing my fellow dealer friends from across the nation, like Jack Pot Joe, tearing up the slots or Otto holding court on his secrets to success. The fun starts at the first-timers meeting on Monday night and goes late into the night after the National Quality Dealer Award reception and dinner party. Hope to see you there!”
Tim Gaylord, Owner/CEO of Gaylord Sales & Leasing on LinkedIn.
I am proud to share that I will be leading an educational session, Diversity Equity and inclusion in the automotive industry, at this year’s NIADA 2022 Convention & Expo. I’ll be sharing a stage with the one and only Jon Taffer and several other amazing individuals. The past two years have been nothing short of transformational to our industry. This rapidly evolving market calls for cutting-edge insights and education. Get that and more…
Tony Caldwell, Co-Founder & VP Operations You Drive Auto on LinkedIn.
Independents are the innovators; independents are the unchained. Independents carry the potential to risk more, achieve higher – grow to better our teams, communities, and industry. That is why I love being independent. Excited to spend time with my family of leaders.
Danny Zaslavsky, General Manager, Country Hill Motors
This year, NIADA embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and has four sessions dedicated to this critical issue.
Beginning Tuesday at 10 am, Tony Caldwell, Co-Founder & VP of Operations at YouDriveAuto and Ohio IADA Board Member, will share his passion for cars and advocacy for building a diverse and inclusive workplace experience. Tony’s love for cars started at a young age, washing cars for $1 each at a northern Ohio dealership. Tony has been featured on numerous news channels, including Car Business Television (CBT News), regarding changes and challenges in the automotive industry. Tony is committed to providing mentorship and support for diversity in education and will share how being inclusive adds value to your dealership.
Then, on Tuesday at 3 pm, dealers will have the opportunity to hear from five women who are owners, managers, and executives in the Women Driving Change panel. This panel includes Amanda Gordon, Owner of GoJo Auto, Co-Founder of Women of Color Automotive Network, and Colorado’s first Black female auto dealership owner, Brenna Stansberry, President of Park Marina Motors and NIADA Board Member, Tina Sink, Finance Manager at Cars To Go, Kendra Brown, Marketing and Financial Manager, Brown Family Auto Sales, Ejola Cook, attorney and senior executive at FIADA, and Melanie Wilson, NIADA’s CFO, moderates the session.
On Thursday at 4 pm, Amanda Gordon will also share her best practices on developing a company culture treating her staff as family, ensuring that her community is represented by her staff, and serving to improve her community. The Future of the Used-Car Business is Community.
Lastly, we are excited and honored to have Damon Lester, President of the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers, present on Wednesday at 10:15 am. Damon will have an honest conversation about diversity and representation and ask the tough question, Are you being intentional with your diversity strategy? In addition, Damon will share why #NAMAD was created and how it is paving the way for diversity and advocating for minority inclusion throughout our industry.
Looking forward to speaking at the NIADA Conference in June. Inclusion = Growth. Opportunity and Access are essential.
Damon Lester on LinkedIn.
Join me at the NIADA 2022 Convention & Expo in Las Vegas. 3-days of game-changing strategy and insights for the used car dealer looking for an advantage in this hyper-competitive market.
Billy Darr, Owner, Collision Center Rehab LLC
I am so excited to get back to conferences, and I am looking forward to speaking this year at NIADA. There is nothing like spending a week with automotive professionals! Virtual meetings are great, but they’re just not the same as in-person learning and networking. The NIADA conference and convention allow everyone to learn from industry-leading experts and get great advice to help grow their businesses. There is always new technology to learn, industry trends to review, and great vendors in the expo hall.
Maggie Pugesek, Partner and Lead Trainer, C&M Coaching
Agora Data takes part in NIADA’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas to educate dealers on how to unlock data to build wealth and learn from the industry. In addition, Agora Data partners with dealers from across the country to make better everyday decisions by using AI to compete with larger players and scale their dealerships using new approaches/best practices. Agora Data is revolutionizing auto finance, and NIADA is an essential partner in that journey.
Chad Stillwell, Chief Technology Officer, Agora Data
