It’s standing room only today as Canada’s dealers and suppliers gather for the second annual Automotive Conference & Expo (otherwise known as ACE) in Niagara Falls, Ont. The two-day event is run jointly by the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) and Consolidated Dealers. Organizers say more than 500 people were in attendance.
ACE kicked off with a discussion around the experience economy by keynote speaker Dennis Moseley-Williams. He’s the founder of DMW Strategic Consulting, and the author of Serious Shift: How Experience Staging Can Save Your Practice.
“There has been a shift in the fabric of the modern economy,” says Moseley-Williams. “Everything is always a performance.” Dealers, he says, are producers of that experience.
He said when people visit Starbucks it’s about more than the coffee. It’s about the experience with the barista at the counter. In fact, Starbucks is scaling back on drive-thrus because it disconnects their customers from the in-store experience. In this new economy, he challenged dealers to consider what type of performance or experience they are producing for their customers.
Other keynote speakers include digital marketing expert Mitch Joel, who will explore the topic of business transformation; Rick Hansen, Canada’s “Man in Motion”; and CBC technology expert Ramona Pringle, who will delve into the subject of “Preparing the Next Generation for a Changing World.”
Leadership Coach and NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier will close the show on Thursday with a session attendees will not want to miss.
A host of breakout session speakers will cover a range of important topics to the automotive retail industry, including advice on bridging the gap between the dealership website and service bay, improving F&I processes, understanding Ontario’s violence and harassment legislation in the workplace, and shifting internal processes used to both hire and retain employees.
Artificial Intelligence-powered assistants for dealerships is also among the many topics that will be explored at the show.
The first day concludes with a cocktail reception where attendees will have the opportunity to “meet and greet” special guests such as Daniel Nestor, Canada’s first ever Men’s Doubles, Olympic Gold Medallist; Doug Gilmour, inductee of the Hockey Hall of Fame; and Ray Bourque, a Hockey Hall of Famer and five-time Norris Trophy winner who played 21 seasons in the NHL. Four time All-Star Al Iafrate, will also be on hand to greet attendees.
The meet and greet will be followed by an ACE kick-off party that will see iconic Canadian rock band Suite Honeymoon take the stage at Margaritaville, Niagara Falls.
