The Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario (MVRO) is calling for nominations for its Women Driven Leadership Awards, part of a broader push to recognize leadership and support industry development across the province.
In a recent member update, the association said nominations are open until April 10, with winners to be announced Oct. 15 at the Automotive Conference & Expo (ACE).
The awards aim to highlight women in automotive who contribute through leadership, mentorship and innovation, as the industry continues to focus on workforce development and inclusion.
MVRO is also preparing to host a series of Women Driven events in Barrie (April 15), London (April 21) and Ottawa (May 7), bringing together professionals from across the province. The association noted the events are open to all genders and intended to foster collaboration and industry engagement.
The update also highlighted ongoing education and market awareness efforts, including a recorded webinar featuring Dunne Insights CEO Michael Dunne. The session examines China’s expanding role in global automotive markets and its potential impact on Canadian retail, including supply chains, pricing and electric vehicle competition. The recording is available to members until April 15.
On the operations side, MVRO pointed to continued adoption of Ontario’s Digital Dealership Registration (DDR) system, which has processed more than 150,000 transactions. New features launching March 29 include self-registration for new vehicles and expanded joint registration capabilities.
The association said the platform is helping dealers reduce paperwork and streamline interactions with ServiceOntario as digital processes expand across the sector.
Programs like DDR and industry education initiatives are directly tied to dealership efficiency and competitiveness. At the same time, networking events and leadership recognition programs can play a role in attracting and retaining talent in a tightening labour market.
