This year, step outside of your comfort zone and start that used car dealership, and if you already have, take it to the next level. Any goal sounds intimidating when you don’t know what to do, when, or how, but any successful entrepreneur doesn’t just do their own thing. They learn from those who came before them, and you can too. Here are the 2023 used car dealer events you need to know.
Attend. Learn. Then grow your own business.
Why should you attend?
There are several reasons why you should attend at least one or even more used car dealership events this year. Each reason benefits you directly, and in turn, benefits your future clientele.
Industry Knowledge
These events help you stay up-to-date on the latest developments and trends within the dealership industry. You'll learn best practices for running your own company from customer service to inventory and software management. You will also find entrepreneurs who have learned how to scale their company from small to big as they expanded services and others who have learned how to successfully scale down during economic turmoil without going out of business. Then there are company leaders that partake in domestic and foreign markets who can shed light on such an experience.
Industry knowledge certainly comes through practice, but the most successful people learn from first-hand experiences and the experiences of other people. Simplifying workflow, developing business management, innovations in technology, there's always plenty of new information on the horizon.
Networking
Conferences and expositions are great opportunities to connect with professionals in the industry including manufacturers, suppliers, and fellow dealers. You'll grow in your ability to build relationships, exchange ideas, and find new business opportunities. You may even exchange business cards in the process.
Product Knowledge
Used car dealership events are one of the best ways to see and hear about the latest products, technology, and tools available to automotive companies. By expanding your product knowledge, you better equip yourself to run an efficient business. These events shed light on expanding car inventory, along with helpful software to manage finances, digital security, and more.
Marketing and Advertising
Automotive professionals can teach you valuable information on how to market and advertise your business, including tips on digital marketing and website design. Different companies employ differing strategies depending on their audience, product, even the time of year. By discovering which tools other companies use, you will figure out which work well in tandem with your efforts.
Vendor Exposure
Exposure to vendors is a big part of the event experience. You will find products and services from a variety of companies. World-famous manufactures like Ford could be in attendance, in addition to other domestic brands like retailers, automotive software developers, accounting firms, and the like. Whatever vendors you discover, see them as a way to help connect used car dealers with the right tools and resources that meet their needs.
2023 Used Car Dealer Events
National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show
January 26-29, 2023 (Dallas)
This show is one of the largest annual events for auto dealers, featuring over 500 exhibitors, all of whom cover every aspect of the automotive world. Manufactures, accounting firms, retailers, software developers, companies who specialize on specific car parts. You name it, there's probably at least two companies for it. Aside from vendors, this event features workshops and education sessions for those looking to learn something new. Workshops cover topics like electric vehicles, digital marketing, and cybercrime. Select programs give participants college credits for continuing education units or prior learning programs.
NADA brands themselves on advocacy for new-car dealers, advocating on their behalf with the government, media, automotive manufactures, and the public. Their wide focus explains the wide range of opportunities auto dealers find at their event. While they do represent new-car dealers specifically, there's certainly something for everyone at their conference, not to mention plenty of networking opportunities with other industry professionals.
View NADA Info
Conference of Auto Remarketing: Sprint Remarketing Conference
March 28-30, 2023 (Las Vegas)
This conference is held several times throughout the year at differing locations. The focus is always the same, connect consignors within the remarketing industry. Attendees show up with the goal of networking, which leads to partnerships in some cases and other business opportunities. There are also education sessions with topics including the latest trends, technology, and best practices in the auto remarketing industry. This year the discussion will include auctions, electric vehicles, and certifications. CAR is perfect if you're looking to learn and network on a scale smaller than NADA.
View CAR Info
Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition
May 1-3, 2023 (Tampa)
October 17-19, 2023 (Las Vegas)
The Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition is another event that takes place at different times and locations throughout the year. Their focus is on technology and digital marketing for the auto industry. They want each of their attendees to benefit from networking, business knowledge, and what they call "actionable insights". A range of topics are covered at the conference, topics like social media marketing, website design, and data analysis. Educational sessions will be led by dealership executives, consultants, and trainers. Expect to see over 80 sessions with topics relevant to your dealership and market. You can also expect to meet one-on-one with some of the estimated 120 technology providers in attendance.
View Digital Dealer Info
National Independent Automobile Transporters Association (NIADA) Convention & Expo 23
June 19-22, 2023 (Las Vegas)
Independent car dealers come to this event for insightful workshops and meaningful networking. There are opportunities to connect with different vendors or mingle with fellow car dealers. Topics include employee training and retention, sales and marketing, and developing leadership skills. All of these are relevant whether you've just started a company or have been going for some time. Just like other programs on this list, there are perks that come with being a member, such as admission fee, but anyone is welcome to attend.
View NIADA Info
Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show
October 31 - November 3, 2023 (Las Vegas)
The latest products, technology, and trends for the automotive aftermarket are all features of this trade show. SEMA boasts over 70 career-building education sessions, covering subjects like communication, stress management, and leadership. Seminar tracks included in the show are business management, digital marketing, vehicle technology, and so much more. A number of vehicles will be on display too: electric vehicles, sports cars, and vintage rides.
Auto enthusiasts, car dealers, shop owners, service technicians, just about everyone who can relate to the automotive industry can all gain something valuable from this event. However, since SEMA is a trade-only event, members of the general public may not attend.
View SEMA Info
Driving Sales Executive Summit
TBD
This event focuses on technology and innovation in the automotive industry. It provides opportunities for attendees to learn about the latest developments, trends, as well as network with other professionals. That's good news for car dealers who could benefit from upgrades in software technology, strengthen their inventory management, or are trying to upscale their business. Also, with new connections made with other automotive professionals, partnerships could potentially be formed too.
View DSES Info
How to make the most of each event?
With some used car dealership events in mind, and hopefully some on your schedule, now all that’s needed is to attend and make the most of the experience. There are several ways to do this.
Plan Your Learning
Know ahead of time which speeches and workshops you will attend. Many of these events provide you with an outline of the agenda, plus a floor plan for where vendors and showcases will take place. Use that information and decide what interests you. Realistically, you can't be everywhere all at once, but you can participate in what most interests you. If you want to be an even better student, read books written by the speakers before and after the event.
Ask Questions of the Speakers
Event speakers typically come with predetermined points and ideas to communicate. Even if they convey that information well, they may not touch on what you're curious about. If not, be sure to ask questions. And be sure to bring a list of questions regardless. This helps you recall why you're attending the event in the first place and keeps you on task with what you want to learn.
Take Actionable Notes
Don’t settle for simple bullet point notes that you’ll never revisit. Instead, create action items as you go, and think of how to connect your notes to your business. If there’s no application, then there’s no use for the information.
Network with Attendees
Networking will only work if you put in the effort to step beyond your comfort zone. After you do, be sure to have more than just small-talk. Instead, pursue meaningful conversations about experiences and challenges that both of you have faced in the industry. Then towards the end, consider exchanging business cards.
Follow up
After the event, reach out to your new contacts to help foster the relationship. Send them a personalized email, LinkedIn message, or make a phone call. Spending time with them in some way ensures that the relationship continues. That's needed if you ever hope for a business partnership in the future.
Apply What You Learned
After each speaker, analyze how you can apply what you learned to your business. Consider what’s a short term and long term goal, and how quickly you can test new ideas. The more you can utilize this information, the better of your business will be in the long-run.
Conclusion
More knowledge means more opportunity for you and your business. With newfound tips and contacts you can take your company to unprecedented heights. This year, step outside of your comfort zone, try something new, and grow your business with one or each of these 2023 used car dealership events.
If you’re looking to add cars or trucks to your dealership catalog, then check out what Municibid has to offer. We even have some EMS vehicles you could convert then resell.
