After four-year hiatus, the revitalized NIADA Certified Master Dealer program will return with a new class of 20 dealers June 19-22 at the NIADA annual convention and expo in Las Vegas.
Registration is now open here and will remain open only until March 30, with the class limited to 20 dealers. An advisory committee will review the applications and select the new cohort of 20 dealers.
Certified Master Dealer course description
The revitalized program will start at the NIADA Convention and span 12 months. The cumulation of the program is a capstone where dealers will present their business plan and take a comprehensive exam. Graduation will take place at the June 2024 convention.
Certified Master Dealer students will participate in two in-person courses and eight live online, instructor-led courses. The first in-person course, Auto Dealership 101, will cover a wide variety of topics at a macro level. In addition, the cohort will participate in team-building activities to develop camaraderie and get introduced to NIADA’s Business Plan template.
The subsequent eight courses will be delivered live online, and each session will last two hours (“Level II”).
“It’ll be about two hours you’ll have to dedicate out of your showroom. The rest of the time, you’re still making money and getting better,” said NIADA President-Elect Gordon Tormohlen.
Certified Master Dealer content
Course content includes dealership accounting principles, expense control, asset management, establishing a profitable service center, digital marketing techniques, effective leadership theory, wealth management and goal setting.
The dealers will also complete a 1.5-day in-person AFIP Used Car Certification Course and must pass the certification exam. AFIP is the leading finance and insurance certification program for F&I professionals and auto dealers.
“Being Master AFIP Certified myself, I know the ‘Ah-ha’ moments dealers and their employees will find during the AFIP certification,” said Jeremy Beck, NIADA Vice President of Dealer Development. “This adds further credibility to our program and provides knowledge and protection to our dealers. Understanding how to conduct their business in compliance with state and federal laws is key in understanding how to build a successful operation. We are proud to partner with AFIP to offer this professional designation to our Certified Master Dealer program.”
To successfully complete the Certified Master Dealer Program, students must pass an assessment following each Level II course, the AFIP certification, the cumulative exam after the final in-person course and submit a final business plan for review. Certified Master Dealer graduates will leave the program with a well-thought-out business plan and a framework for success.
“The objective of the Certified Master Dealer Program is to have you write a business plan that is customized to your dealership,” Tromholen said.
Dealers who have attended and complete this training support ethical business standards and practices, and are leaders in their communities and the industry.
“I learned so much,” said Otto Hahne, president of City of Cars in Troy, Mich., and NIADA Quality Dealer of the Year for 2019-21. I ended up with so many takeaways to help my business be successful. I know I’m a better leader and everybody’s going to benefit, from my team back home to myself to the customers I do business with.”
Otto Hahne, president of City of Cars in Troy, Mich., and NIADA Quality Dealer of the Year for 2019-21
“I learned so much,” said Otto Hahne, president of City of Cars in Troy, Mich., and NIADA Quality Dealer of the Year for 2019-21. “I ended up with so many takeaways to help my business be successful. I know I’m a better leader and everybody’s going to benefit, from my team back home to myself to the customers I do business with.”
For more information on the NIADA Certified Master Dealer Program visit, niada.com/certified-master-dealer/
