Along with its political action committee raising more than $100,000 during the event, the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association had nearly 150 dealers and industry members go to Capitol Hill on Tuesday during the NIADA Policy Conference to meet with lawmakers to discuss issues facing the used-vehicle industry.

Dealers and industry members talked with Republican and Democratic members of Congress and their staffs on three important issues, including Right to Repair, catalytic converter theft prevention and reform of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

NIADA said its members explained their position on the issues and answered questions from the legislators and staff. NIADA members also left documents describing the association’s position.

“The meetings went well. They asked a lot of good questions,” said Neil Rawls of Georgia Certified Motors in Conyers, Ga., and the Georgia Independent Automobile Dealers Association’s president-elect.

Led by the efforts on social media by Jack Carter of Turn & Burn Motors, Region 2 collected $24,155 for the PAC during the NIADA Policy Conference. Region 2 edged out reining PAC Cup champion Region 3 by $580.

“Ultimately, we want to raise money to help do the right thing,” said Carter who was named the 2025 National Quality Dealer of the Year in June at NIADA’s annual convention. “We want to get the legislature to support right to repair and other issues.”

Collectively, NIADA said dealers and industry members raised $104,225 for the NIADA PAC to strengthen the voice of the used-vehicle industry in Washington, D.C.

The NIADA PAC, the political action committee of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, financially supports candidates who support the used auto industry. The NIADA PAC may only make political contributions to candidates for federal office.

“Every dollar donated to the NIADA PAC is an investment in the future of the independent automobile industry.  This money is a critical tool that allows NIADA to advocate for commonsense, free market policies in Washington,” NIADA director of government relations and compliance Patrick O’Brien said.

Now that its annual visit to Capitol Hill has been completed, NIADA can devote its energy on preparing for the BHPH Dealer Forum in the Music City.

Set for Nov. 9-11 at the Loews Nashville, the BHPH Dealer Forum will include what NIADA called the hit of last year’s event. What’s being positioned as deep-dive, three-hour workshops are designed to give attending dealers an opportunity to dig into a subject, ask questions and hold engaging conversations about how to run their business.

NIADA will lead “Building Versatility into your Business Model.” The association will dive into capital availability, portfolio performance expectations, succession planning and other items to help dealers adapt their businesses to the changing used-vehicle market.

Doug Turner, senior director vehicle acquisitions and remarketing at America’s Car-Mart, will be back to lead the session, “The Heart of the Matter — Inventory Management.” Turner will guide dealers through the acquisition of vehicles to getting them to the front line.

NIADA 20 Group moderator John Dismukes will present, “All the Moving Parts to Moving More Metal.” Dismukes will give dealers actionable strategies for branding, marketing, lead generation, pricing and closing sales. The session will also cover the use of AI.

The deep-dive workshops are only part of the education at the BHPH Dealer Forum. Also on the agenda are the popular dealer roundtables led by some of the top dealers in the nation return, along with nine breakout sessions led by NIADA moderators, dealers and industry experts.

Early bird registration runs through Oct. 10, with a chance to save $200 ($495 per person for NIADA dealer members, $695 dealer non-members). Group discounts are available for dealer groups with two or more registrants.

Discounted rooms are $269 per night are available through Oct. 16 or until the room block sells out.

To see the full agenda and register, go to niada.com/bhphdealerforum.