In just a few short weeks, the National Automobile Dealers Association will host their convention from New Orleans. This year is the 100th anniversary of NADA so you can be sure it’s going to be an outstanding event. If you’re a leader in your dealership or dealer group, you don’t want to miss this gathering of the automotive industry’s heaviest hitters.

Don’t underestimate its importance for you if you’re a service manager, parts manager or fixed ops director. It’s not all about the sales department. There’s plenty at NADA 2017 for you, for both your department and your professional development.

Mark Fields

Whether you’re a Ford aficionado or not, you’ll want to pay close attention to Ford Motor Company CEO, Mark Fields. Undoubtedly, the hot topics will come up, namely Trump’s promise of cross-border tariffs for importing vehicles. Along with the latest news, trends and developments from North America’s largest carmaker, you’ll learn heaps about the direction your department needs to go for the future.

As fixed ops personnel, you’ll be able to determine how you should navigate the next few years or so for the greatest success. Depending on the technology coming down the pipe, you can equip your store with the tools and technology to address the latest innovations. You can plan to train your technicians or onboard the right staff to meet the particular demands addressed in his talk.

Jim Gaffigan

Notorious funny man, Jim Gaffigan will lighten things up a touch on Friday. He’s a Grammy award-winning comedian who also has written a New York Times bestseller. You’re going to hear about his real-life struggles as a father of five, no doubt mixed with laughter deep from your belly.

Racing to Be the Best

You’ll get to experience an in-depth conversation between Automotive News editor-in-chief, Keith Crain, Penske Corporation chairman, Roger Penske, and famous racecar driver, Helio Castroneves. It won’t be all about the racetrack, though, as Penske is even more successful off the track than on – and that says a lot!

Roger Penske’s successes include truck leasing, retail automotive stores, professional racing teams, and much more. With staffing of more than 50,000 worldwide and revenues in excess of $26 billion annually, there’s bound to be something to learn from this heart-to-heart-to-heart session.

Amy Purdy

If you’ve felt like giving up, or just settling to for mediocrity, that will vaporize after you hear Amy Purdy speak. After winning a battle with bacterial meningitis at the age of 19 that took both her legs, Amy never quit. Instead, she overcame the impossible and is now the top-ranked adaptive snowboarder in the United States. She’s also made the New York Times’ bestseller list with her book, On My Own Two Feet.

Amy’s experiences will leave you speechless and on the edge of your seat. Her never-quit attitude will seep deep into your bones, invigorating you for the challenges you’ll face when you get back home and to work.

Workshops For Everyone

Between keynote addresses, you’ll have the pleasure of attending workshops intended to stretch your skills. Fixed Ops workshops touch on every aspect of your department, and there’s something for every position.

Parts managers and parts advisors will be poked, prodded, and stimulated on topics like inventory control, accessory sales techniques, and communication between the parts and service departments.

Service department personnel from service managers and service advisors to technicians – even collision repair center staff -  can benefit from training modules designed specifically for their position. Hot topics include technician retention, RO analysis, performance analysis and absorption.

Are you attending NADA 2017? Which keynote address are you looking forward to most? Is there one specific topic you want to address, or a problem you hope to solve by attending NADA? Or is it an opportunity to see what the future of the industry holds?