McLEAN, Va. — The National Automobile Dealers Association will serve as a co-sponsor for an event this fall that is designed to help dealers take advantage of opportunities in the accessories segment.

The third annual Dealer Day Conference at the Specialty Equipment Market Association's 2010 convention will delve into a number of helpful tips for dealers looking to start or augment their accessories operations. It will offer feedback, tools and resources relating to the accessories segment.

Moreover, dealer attendees at the Dealer Day Conference will be given a free Learning Hub course from NADA University: "Accessorizing Your Way to Additional Profits."

Officials noted that the Dealer Day Conference was built with NADA input and dealer feedback in mind. It can show dealers how an accessories operation can not only boost revenues, but differentiate product lines and lead to increased customer value and loyalty.

Serving as co-sponsor with NADA is the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. 

Dealer Day is slated to begin at 8 a.m. (PST) and run to 1 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

"Dealer Day is an outstanding program that was developed specifically to address the accessory sales opportunities for dealers and we're proud to be a part of it," noted Edward Tonkin, NADA chairman. "Any dealer who is looking to build profitability in the accessory area should be there."   

Among the topics to be examined at individual sessions are: 

—Aligning goals among various departments to drive overall sales and profitability.

—Ensuring quality in an accessory program, while addressing concerns over warranty and liability issues.

—Capturing the attention of online customers to drive them to your website.

—Understanding the day-to-day challenges and opportunities of running an accessory program and capitalizing on them, as discussed by "real life" dealership employees.    

As far as dealership feedback, Carl Lindsey — who is the senior parts manager for Rick Keffer Dodge Jeep in the Jacksonville, Fla., area — noted: "I thoroughly enjoyed Dealer Day last year.

"It was very informative and helped me understand the success that others were having with their respective programs, so I could come back to my dealership and try these things out," he added. "We have had great success in installing leather in our vehicles, as well as accessorizing them."

Officials emphasized that only vehicle dealers can attend the conference. For more information, visit www.semashow.com/dealerday.