Dealers trying to make sense of an unpredictable economic and political environment are gathered in Toronto today for the sold-out CADA Summit, which features a mix of high-profile keynote speakers, panel discussions, and sessions exploring the current and near-term outlook for Canada’s auto retail industry.
In a story published on CADA Newsline this week, the organizers said the event boasts record dealers, and overall attendance.
“We will hear from cybersecurity, economic and demographic experts, in-depth analysis on the shifting landscape for dealers, hear directly from Canadian OEM heads, a political panel will dive into current policy issues, and we will have more dealers than ever on stage sharing their views,” said Bruce Rosen, CADA’s Executive Director, Industry Relations in the article.
The event opened this morning at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre with brief interviews with the heads of prominent Canadian dealer groups.
In a lively and candid chat, the leaders shared their thoughts on navigating through turbulent times, factory image programs, the changing consumer demands and other key issues facing dealers.
Later in the day, Canadian OEM leaders from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis take the stage.
Darren Slind, President and Co-Founder of Clarify Group, a research and consultancy firm, will be presenting some of the findings of a new report commissioned by CADA that will look at what Canada’s auto industry could look like 10 years from now, in 2035.
This year’s event features more dealer participants as well, with a panel discussion around dealer councils and OEM relations, and another panel featuring CADA Laureate award winners who will discuss current issues and challenges.
A political panel featuring leading Canadian journalists will dive into the political and economic picture on both sides of the border.
Other sessions will explore cybersecurity, demographic changes that will impact the Canadian car buying marketplace, and researcher Glenn Mercer will present his observations on the changing dealer landscape. A study exploring the financial benefits of the dealer franchise model will also be included.
In the article, the association’s President and CEO Tim Reuss, said he was pleased with this year’s agenda.
“I fully expect it to be the most talked about conference of the year,” said Reuss. “The speakers are top-notch, the topics are timely, and our dealers will be more eager than ever to network and exchange ideas and share perspectives. It’s exactly why we created this event more than a dozen years ago.”
CADA Summit is sponsored exclusively by TD Auto Finance, which has been the event’s only sponsor since it launched more than a decade ago. To view the agenda of this year’s event click here.
