Ken Shilson and the National Alliance of Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealers have been included in the same breath for decades.

In a letter to NABD members obtained by BHPH Report on Monday, Shilson acknowledged that change is coming.

Ahead of NABD’s 19th annual National Conference, Shilson shared an update on how the organization is evolving just like changes unfolding in the BHPH business.

“After 19 great years, we are now developing a succession plan on how NABD will continue in the future,” Shilson said in the letter. “In January, I celebrated my 68th birthday and realized that my successor is needed to guide NABD and to represent the best interests of the BHPH industry.

“NABD has engaged an outside professional to help formulate a strategic transition plan and to identify qualified successors,” he continued. “We are in the final stages of this process, and we want to meet with you at NABD 2017 and get your input.”

The upcoming conference is set for the Wynn/Encore in Las Vegas on May 23 to 25. Beyond the dialogue about NABD’s future, many more topics are on the conference agenda, including:

1. Regulatory changes and updates

2. Sourcing and financing the vehicles customers want today

3. The critical decisions needed to succeed today

4. The newest technology to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs

5. Operating practices that work both now and in the future

The general education sessions will also include a keynote presentation by Richard Flint on “Embracing Change” preceded by a benchmark/trends update from Chuck Bonano, NIADA 20 Group Director, and Shilson, which will put things into a financial perspective.

Shilson went on to mention NABD 2017 also features what he called a “Solutions Hall” along with workshops to help attendees find:

—The capital needed to fund growth

—Ways to regain lost market share

—Technology that increases profits and cash flow

—Ways to reduce bad debts and keep customers paying

—Marketing strategies to compete more successfully

— Compliance to avoid fatal pitfalls

—Compliance with the new AICPA credit loss measurement standard

—Technology to manage and control reconditioning cost

To register or get more information, visit www.bhphinfo.com or call (832) 767-4759.