Stormy weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of the dealers and auto industry professionals who gathered at the Grand Hall of the Fallsview Resort and Casino for TADA’s Automotive Conference and Expo in Niagara Falls on October 19th. The two-day event, called “Shift Forward,” featured content sessions, and a packed hall of more than 60 suppliers who cater to the automotive industry.
The lineup of speakers and panels was diverse, touching upon everything from digital marketing to hiring diversity. Starting the first day was Mathew Growden, Head of Google Canada’s Auto Retail team. His lively session took dealers through data and trends the company is seeing in how consumers shop for vehicles.
Next up was the Demo Theater, sponsored by Kijiji Autos. Fourteen exhibitors, including one automated robot, delivered a 2-minute elevator pitch aimed at educating dealers about what they do and what’s on display in their booth.
Justin Poy, from the Justin Poy agency hosted a “War for Talent” panel, which discussed staffing and human resources challenges the industry is facing and how to meet the future with the right team at your dealership.
CADA President and CEO Tim Reuss lent his perspective on a range of key issues facing the industry, including the luxury tax ramifications, roadblocks to electrification, data sharing principles, and what CADA is doing to lobby the government on behalf of industry.
Next up was Jeremy Reisler, Industry Lead, Automotive and Financial Services with TikTok Canada who showed dealers lots of examples of how OEMs and dealers are using TikTok effectively as another marketing and entertainment channel.
That was followed by a panel on the future of the auto industry, moderated by Todd Phillips, senior editor of Canadian auto dealer. That panel featured Google’s Mathew Growden, Ian MacDonald, Chief Marketing Officer at AutoTrader.ca, Tony Koubridis, Vice-President, Growth at AutoVerify, and Shawn Vording, VP Product & Sales from Carfax.
The final keynote of the day was from famed Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. His inspiring tales of space travel, and the journey his life took to get him there had the audience mesmerized.
ACE day two began with some very motivating women talking about topics ranging from technological innovation to cyber security, to diversity, equity and inclusion in the auto realm as part of the event’s Women Driven content. The day kicked off with an inspirational and motivational speech by Janet Bannister, currently a managing partner at Real Ventures, and the founder of Kijiji.ca.
The day concluded with Celina Caesar-Chavannes talking about how dealerships can advance diversity, equity and inclusion goals within their companies, and why it’s good for business to do so.
The next session in the Women Driven schedule was a panel discussion about dismantling barriers for women in the auto industry, which was hosted by award-winning automotive journalist Petrina Gentile, and featured Maureen A. Harquail, CEO of OMVIC; Yolanda Biswah, Senior VP and GM of Canadian Black Book; Natalie Varey, HR advisor at DealerPILOT, and Edith Pencil, Director of Employee Services at Performance Auto Group.
Cybersecurity expert Cat Coode took the stage next, to talk about how you can make your employees the best first defence against cyber crime in your business. The day concluded with Celina Caesar-Chavannes talking about how dealerships can advance diversity, equity and inclusion goals within their companies, and why it’s good for business to do so.
Everyone left the conference inspired, more informed, and energized to take on whatever challenges and take advantage of what opportunities may come our way next.
