When the American International Automobile Dealers Association gathers for its 49th annual meeting and luncheon in San Francisco in January, the group also will be honoring a member from the Golden State.

AIADA plans to give the 2019 David F. Mungenast Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award to Dave Conant, a dealer from Newport Beach, Calif. The award is presented each year by AIADA’s board of directors to an industry leader who possesses a similar community spirit and devotion to the international nameplate auto industry as its namesake.

Conant is the founder, owner and chief executive officer of the Conant Auto Retail Group (The CAR Group), which currently operates 11 automobile franchises in California and Florida. He is a committed and active member of the auto retail industry and served on AIADA’s board of directors for many years, including its executive committee.

Conant’s community involvement spans numerous charitable causes in support of education, health and wellness. The Conant Family Foundation, joined by employee-funded contributions, has provided millions of dollars to local causes, including Make-a-Wish, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the Boys & Girls Club, City of Hope, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and recent disaster relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes and wildfires in California.

“I am always impressed with the generosity of auto dealers, but when it comes to community engagement, Dave Conant truly stands apart. In addition to running one of the country’s most successful dealership groups, he has always made time to give back to his community and those around him,” AIADA president and chief executive officer Cody Lusk said.

“I can think of no one more deserving of this honor and look forward to presenting the award during our upcoming annual meeting this January in San Francisco,” Lusk added.

In addition to the presentation of the award, AIADA’s 49th annual meeting and luncheon will also feature a look at the year ahead with 2019 chairman Howard Hakes of California, and keynote remarks by Bob Carter, executive vice president of sales at Toyota Motor North America.

Dealers can register today for AIADA’s 49th annual meeting and luncheon set for Jan. 27 in San Francisco by going to this website or by calling 1-800-GO-AIADA.