Western dealer associations host successful Summit
December 11, 2023
The backdrop of Lake Louise in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, and the venue at the impressive Fairmont Château were spectacular. But the highlight of the Western Canadian Dealer Summit for senior leaders from CADA was being invited on stage to brief member dealers about all the key issues the association is tackling on their behalf, and then connecting with them during networking breaks.
“Any time we are invited to speak to a large group of our member dealers we are happy to do so,” said Tim Reuss, CADA President and CEO. “Not only do we get to update members about the important files we are working on, but we get to hear directly from them about their concerns and priorities.”
The event was organized and flawlessly delivered by Gerald Wood, President of the Motor Dealers of Alberta (MDA), Larry Heggs, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Auto Dealers Association (SADA) and Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association (NCDA) of BC from November 16-19 and their respective teams.
Blair Qualey, President and CEO of the New Car Dealers Association (NCDA) of BC, Gerald Wood, President of the Motor Dealers of Alberta (MDA), Larry Heggs, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Auto Dealers Association (SADA) delivered a top notch Western Canadian Dealer Summit event.
Joining Reuss at the Summit representing CADA were Huw Williams, Director of Public Affairs, Charles Bernard, Lead Economist, and Tim Ryan, Vice President,Director Industry Relations and General Counsel, Michael Psotka, CFO and Director of Member Services, and Jonathan Hickman, CADA Board Chair.
“There’s so much going on in Ottawa right now,” said Huw Williams. “Of course we closely monitor the impact of the government’s proposed EV mandates, but there’s also the auto theft epidemic, the luxury tax, the impact of right to repair legislation and technician shortages just to name a few other issues we have our eyes on.”
Williams said it’s important for CADA to be able to tell policymakers in Ottawa and in the provinces that they are united and speak on behalf of all dealers when they are advocating on any given issue. “That’s why it’s vital we share with them what we are up to, and that we get their feedback and consider these issues from a national perspective. Western dealers are very vocal and it’s always great to spend time with them.”
For his part, Charles Bernard was able to give dealers an update about the economic outlook, and trends expected to impact new and used vehicle sales. “Dealers always want to get our take on the regional and national economic picture,” said Bernard. “We presented our snapshot and forecasts but also talked about some of the research the association is doing on the auto retail industry so that we can quantify how important our sector is to the national and local economies.”
Other than CADA, there were many speakers talking about the impact of new technologies and trends impacting dealers, including: Charlie Vogelheim, the principal of Vogelheim Ventures, Brian Sencich, the new Head of Industry, Automotive at TikTok Canada, George Nenni, the founder of Generations Digital, Matthew Growden, the head of the Google Canada’s auto retail team; and Joy Hawkins, owner and founder of SEO-focused company Sterling Sky.
Not unexpectedly, dealers were once again generous and raised more than $50,000 for local student and educational initiatives in an auction featuring signed jerseys from NHL star Jeremy Roenick, who also delivered an inspirational address.
Next year’s event returns to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, November 14-17, 2024.