If you have an idea for a car or truck industry discussion topic, the National Automobile Dealers Association is taking proposals for workshops for the 2015 NADA-ATD Convention now through May 2.
The deadline to submit is 5 p.m. EST on May 2.
NADA is expecting thousands of dealers and their employees to attend in addition to other auto industry professionals.
“Each workshop should be new content not previously presented to auto and truck dealers on a timely topic of broad interest to the automotive industry. The presentations should generate lively discussions and exchanges among attendees,” the association said in a release.
The boards of directors for NADA and the American Truck Dealers will choose speakers, and those chosen speakers will present their workshops as many as three times during the convention, which is scheduled for Jan. 22 through Jan. 25 in San Francisco.
The workshops will be grouped into four tracks covering various aspects of a dealership’s business, including: Dealer/Executive, Internet and Marketing, Human Resources, Legal and Regulatory, Sales, Business Office/F&I, Parts, and Service and Body Shop.
Organizers are asking that each proposal include the following: title, synopsis, learning objectives, presentation format and 60-second video clip covering the workshop’s main focus.
The NADA and ATD board workshop selection panels are scheduled to meet in June. If you submit a proposal, officials say you be advised of the proposal’s status by July 18 at the latest
Instructions for submitting a proposal (including a video clip) can be found at www.nadaconvention.org.
“There’s no other opportunity like this in our industry to share creative growth strategies and solutions with such a large group of auto retail professionals who are all looking for a competitive edge,” said Wesley Lutz, chairman of NADA’s Dealership Operations Committee and a new-car dealer in Jackson, Mich.
Former vice presidential candidate and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan is the newest addition to the speaker lineup for the eighth annual International Auto Industry Summit orchestrated by the American International Auto Dealers Association.
The event is set for May 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C.
Along with Ryan, the agenda includes appearances by Cook Political Report editor Charlie Cook, former White House budget director Jim Nussle, and best-selling author and viral ideas expert Jonah Berger.
AIADA president Cody Lusk also pointed out the summit is designed so dealers will have the opportunity to visit their lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
“This spring, America’s international nameplate dealer community faces challenges from all corners of Washington,” Lusk said. “To help dealers understand these hurdles and how they can use their influence to change them, AIADA will host its annual International Auto Industry Summit.
“If you haven’t already, I hope you’ll make plans to join us for this two-day event designed to connect you and your dealership with Washington, D.C. We’re putting together a program designed with dealers in mind,” Lusk went on to say.
AIADA has reserved a special rate at the Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill for summit attendees, but dealers must contact the hotel by Tuesday to take advantage of this special price.
Registration for AIADA’s event can be completed by clicking here.
The National Auto Auction Association has reached an agreement with Cherokee Automotive Group, publishers of Auto Remarketing, to combine its annual convention with CAG’s National Remarketing Conference, beginning in the fall of 2016. The combined meeting will be known as the National Remarketing Conference and National Auto Auction Association Convention and will be held each year during CAG’s Used Car Week.
Beginning in 2016, the event will be billed as the National Remarketing Conference/NAAA Convention. Used Car Week that year will be held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.
“We are extremely pleased that NAAA now will hold its annual convention in combination with the NRC,” said Bill Zadeits, CAG president. “The addition of NAAA’s convention to Used Car Week is a natural fit for everyone concerned and allows industry professionals to concentrate their networking.”
Dave Angelicchio, a past NAAA president who spearheaded the effort for a combined meeting, said, “I am extremely pleased that we have reached agreement to combine our conferences beginning in 2016.” He went on to say that one of the many benefits to be realized will be when people can make one conference trip instead of two. Current NAAA president Jack Neshe also expressed support, noting that the combination of the two meetings could not be accomplished until 2016 because of existing hotel contracts.
The two organizations, noted Zadeits, will begin working more closely together this year to lay the groundwork for the combined NRC/NAAA meeting in two years. “We will be meeting soon to find the common ground to build a solid foundation upon which to grow,” he said.
One registration fee will be used for the NRC/NAAA, said Frank Hackett, NAAA’s chief executive officer. He said that some professionals who normally attend a NAAA convention but not the NRC will now be able to network with other industry professionals, and the same is true in reverse, as there are some people who traditionally attend NRC but not NAAA. “This will be a great value to everyone involved,” he said.
Ron Smith, CAG’s chairman, said the new relationship with NAAA further enhances the value and importance of Used Car Week. “The vision we’ve always had for UCW was that professionals from different segments of the industry can meet over a one week period to get to know each other better and find common areas where it is beneficial for them to work together,” he said.
Other events held during Used Car Week include the CPO Conference, Sub-Prime Forum and Re3 (repossession, recovery, remarketing) Conference. More information can be found at www.autoremarketing.com.
