The Canadian Dealer Forum by DrivingSales is coming to Calgary on June 22-23, but registration remains open for dealers eager to help move the industry forward.
“We’re in the final stages of event planning. Everyone in Canada is very happy to have us,” said Christina DeVore, Events Marketing Director for DrivingSales, and added the kickoff event will probably draw in 150 Canadian dealer principals, general managers and other department managers.
DeVore said the inaugural Canadian Dealer Forum came about based on positive feedback from dealers after attending the Canadian-centric breakout sessions at the DrivingSales Executive Summit held in Las Vegas, Nev.
“The last few years everyone has been asking, ‘When are you going to bring this conference to us?’ So that’s what this version is,” said DeVore.
Dealers can look forward to many speakers from within and outside of the automotive industry who can provide a range of perspectives on a number of timely and relevant issues. These have all been endorsed by a dealer panel, said DeVore.
One of the event’s featured speakers is Jeremy Miller, president and author of Sticky Branding, who has done some work with Canadian dealers and will address the audience on how they can make their brands stick out — something all dealers must do to stay competitive.
DeVore said the conference is also focused on the digital aspect, and so it will bring in Redg Snodgrass, the CEO of Wearable World, to talk about incorporating digital into marketing.
“We’re really about the progressive dealer who is ready to make the shift in the industry and is very forward thinking,” said DeVore.
The social aspect is another big draw for dealers, who are rarely afforded the opportunity to meet other dealers and industry players face-to-face, said DeVore.
That also extends online. Dealers are also encouraged to share their thoughts with the community about a topic and spark further discussion.
“We’re focusing on the dealer 365 [days of the year], not just the one or two days of the conference,” said DeVore. “We’re looking forward to feedback,” she added.
Dealers can register for the Canadian Dealer Forum on the conference website.
Watch for coverage in the August/September issue of Canadian auto dealer.
