Dealers often want to hear from other operators about what works and what doesn’t when selling cars and maintaining revenue.

The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association certainly took that approach when assembling the education agenda for its annual convention, which starts on June 21 in Denver. Of the 48 sessions on the docket, half are set to be led by dealers.

With an early bird registration discount set to expire, here is a sample of the scheduled dealer-led workshops:

Title: Stop Treating AI Like Software: Use It Like an Employee

Expert: Mark Fuerbacher of Universal Imports in Rochester, N.Y.

Session goal: This is not another high-level AI overview. By now, most attendees already understand what AI is and why it matters. This session is about moving past awareness and into real, practical use inside a dealership. This interactive, hands-on class will show dealership professionals how to actually work with AI, treating it like a capable employee rather than another piece of software. Participants will use their phones to build real AI bots during the session, focused on real dealership tasks across sales, service, management and marketing. Having a chat-based AI app already installed and logged in on your phone (such as ChatGPT) will be extremely helpful, as most of the session will be hands-on and mobile-first.

Title: The Psychology of Payment: Building a High-Performance Collections Culture

Experts: Kristin Acosta of Sorensen Auto Plaza in Shenandoah, Iowa; Jenissa Rice of Auto Liquidator in Dallas; Megan Garner of C & C Cars in Pinellas Park, Fla.

Session goal: In an era of shifting consumer behavior, relying on outdated outreach methods is a recipe for high delinquency. This session moves beyond the basic choice of being the nice guy or the enforcer, recognizing that effective collections is a fine balance of firm boundaries and strategic empathy. Join a candid, no-holds-barred panel discussion where top operators reveal their most productive collections strategies.

Title: How to CRUSH Your Reconditioning Time

Expert: Jason March of March Motors in Jacksonville, Fla.

Session goal: Are you frustrated with the time it takes to get a car from the auction to the front line? In this session, Jason March will dive deep into concepts of inventory, work in process, ways to track your inventory in reconditioning and bonus plans that inspire efficiency and speed in the reconditioning department. Whether you have 10 cars or 100 cars, this session will help you define your process, show you different ways to keep team members accountable and cut down your time to line.

Title: Dominate Video Marketing; No Dancing Required

Expert: Meg Jones with Ace Auto Sales in Fyffe, Ala.

Session goal: Still invisible online? Your competitors aren’t. Video is driving today’s dealership traffic — but you don’t have to perform to win. In this high-impact session, Meg Jones will reveal simple, repeatable video systems that increase visibility, build authority, and drive more qualified buyers to your lot. More visibility brings more traffic — and more traffic brings more revenue. You’ll leave with a plug-and-play strategy, ready-to-use content frameworks, time-saving production tools, and clear next steps you can implement immediately. This is video marketing for operators — not influencers. No dancing required!

And dealers can still save $200 on registration through Wednesday.

Complete agenda and registration details can be found at https://niada.com/convention.