With the pace of technological advancement increasing, seemingly by the hour, it is timely that the theme for the 2017 AADA National Dealer Convention to be ‘Advancing Innovation, Technology and Engagement’.
The special sessions run by the internet’s two most powerful marketing tools – Google and Facebook – are the features of a program designed to help Dealers adapt to the digital world.
The Convention returns to Sydney this September and we are expecting record numbers to attend at the brand-new, billion-dollar International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney on Darling Harbour.
The two-day program of workshops and guest speakers is designed to help Dealers and key staff adapt to the rapidly changing pace of technological advancement and its impact on our industry.
As usual, we have put together an outstanding program of compelling and inspiring speakers, experts in all aspects of dealership operations, marketing, new technology and media, business and the world at large.
Keynote Speaker – Peter Costello
Peter Costello is the longest-serving Federal Treasurer in Australia’s history, holding the post for the entirety of the Howard government’s reign from 1996 to 2007.
He brought down 12 consecutive Federal Budgets, including 10 surpluses. During that period he eliminated Commonwealth Government debt in net terms. He introduced the GST and in his time Australia’s credit rating was upgraded twice to AAA.
After leaving Parliament Mr Costello served as Member and then Chairman of the Independent Advisory Board to the World Bank in Washington 2009-2014. He is currently Chairman of both the Australian Future Fund and the Nine Entertainment Corporation.
Having walked the halls of power and rubbed shoulders with world leaders, Mr Costello has plenty of entertaining and enlightening stories about those who wield that power and the means by which they do so.
A man passionate about his country, intellectually and emotionally engaged in the challenges facing all of us, and renowned for his parliamentary performances, Mr Costello is sure to deliver an address memorable for its content and delivery.
The AADA Feature Super Session
Jared Hamilton, the award-winning entrepreneur and technology leader, was such a hit at the 2015 AADA National Dealer Convention that we have invited him back to conduct this must-see session.
This presentation is the glue that binds together the rest of the 2017 AADA National Dealer Convention program. Do not leave without seeing it!
Mr Hamilton will detail how a customer’s choice of dealership is influenced by social media such as Facebook and Google reviews. He will explain why it is crucial for Dealers to invest in maintaining and promoting their online presence, and how powerful positive and negative reviews are in influencing how potential customers feel about buying from a dealership.
Panel discussion
Immediately following Mr Costello’s address an industry panel of experts will gather on stage to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Dealers today and into the future.
Our industry is under siege at the moment, with enquiries being run by both the ACCC and ASIC. Having the best minds and leaders in one room is a great chance for us all to come together and talk about how we, as an industry, can best face our problems, identify solutions and plan for the future.
The AADA Carsales Luncheon featuring David Thodey
Enjoy a fantastic lunch featuring an address from one of Australia’s science, technology and telecommunications leaders.
Located in AADA Central in the heart of the Expo, this annual event is an integral feature of the AADA National Dealer Convention.
David Thodey AO is Chairman of Australia’s national scientific research agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). He is also Chair of Jobs for NSW and is on the Advisory Boards of SquarePeg Capital and UHG.
Mr Thodey was Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Telstra from May 2009 until he formally retired from the CEO position in April 2015. He was credited with transforming Telstra from a large, unwieldy telecommunications bureaucracy into a modern technology company.
Mr Thodey’s previous 22-year career at IBM comprised a number of senior marketing and sales positions, including CEO of IBM Australia/New Zealand. He has extensive experience in information and communications technology, digital business, data services and digital services.
Mr Thodey has spent decades on the front lines of science and technology innovation. With innovation and technology such a focus of the Convention, this makes him the ideal speaker and one no forward-thinking Dealer should miss out on.
Get your groove on with Ella Hooper
Our social program is always a highlight and this year Ella Hooper will be the latest in a long line of Australian and international stars to entertain delegates.
It’s hard to believe Ella is still just 34 years old. She has been an Australian music icon for more than half her life. Best known as a singer-songwriter, Ella’s career has developed from the rock of Killing Heidi to the alt-folk of The Verses and now the revealing songs of Ella Hooper solo.
She’s won five Arias and written several top 10 hits, including a number one album and single. Reflector, Ella’s first album, has multi-Platinum status and her singles are widely played and streamed. She is also the youngest person and first woman to have received APRA’s Songwriter of the Year award.
The AADA General Session & AGM
Following the Opening Breakfast the AADA General Session brings you a variety of speakers covering a range of issues pertinent to all aspects of the modern dealership. The General Session also features the Annual General Meeting of AADA, so it is important you attend to have your say in the running of your association.
This session is not just designed for Dealer Principals (although we strongly recommend they attend!), but also leaders and managers in the Sales, Finance, Marketing and Service departments. Basically, if they are an important leader in your business, they should see this session!
The address by federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure, Paul Fletcher, comprises part of this session, with the balance made up of talks from some of AADA’s leaders and key policy and advocacy thinkers.
Tuesday Team Events: ‘Engine’
Designed for middle managers, service personnel, sales personnel and support staff inside dealerships, this program will feature workshop subjects such as Business Development Centres, Customer Loyalty in Sales & Service, Relationship Management, Service Department Competition, Sales Skills, Team Leadership and more.
Some of AADA’s favourite visiting speakers will lead your team through these invaluable and educational sessions. We can’t emphasise enough just how important it is that not only your managers but entire teams are on hand to gain firsthand the benefits of the wisdom of some of the retail automotive industry’s most successful trainers and leaders.
The AADA Expo
The 2017 Expo is the largest yet, showcasing the latest and greatest products and services designed to give your dealership the cutting edge. The pace of technological change is so rapid these days, the Expo is a one-stop-shop to ensure you are fully abreast of all the challenges and opportunities in this area.
The AADA Expo has always been a popular between-sessions destination for delegates, but this year we’re taking it to another level, with the news that now you will also be able to explore the vast array of innovative products, services and new technologies after the sun goes down.
The AADA Expo will be reinvigorated for 2017, with more exhibitors than ever before (over 130) and a new exhibitor-friendly layout. The AADA Expo will be open between 6:30am through to 10pm on the Tuesday and 6:30am to 7pm on Wednesday.
As always, the AADA Expo will showcase new products and services designed to improve your bottom line. Whether it be after-market, insurance, finance, marketing, software, customer retention or any other aspect of dealership operations, you can bet there will be something for you.
AADA Central
AADA Central is the hub of all catered functions and plenary sessions for the 2017
AADA National Dealer Convention. Located inside the Expo this will create a focused energy, and having everything centrally located is great for convenience.
The venue: ICC Sydney
The venue for the 2017 AADA National Dealer Convention takes us to another level. The brand-new, outstanding ICC Sydney is Asia Pacific’s premier integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment precinct.
Featuring a striking contemporary design, leading technology and multi-purpose spaces, the $1.5 billion ICC Sydney is located in the heart of the active prime waterfront precinct of Darling Harbour on Cockle Bay.
ICC Sydney incorporates world’s best practice technology throughout, including wireless connectivity across the precinct.
The external event deck of 5,000sqm includes a bar and lounge featuring spectacular city views. The exhibition halls link seamlessly with the rest of the venue. Over two floors, they provide a massive total of 32,600sqm of space, making it Australia’s largest exhibition space. Added to the 2,400sqm of multi-purpose event space in the convention area, this makes for a total 35,000sqm of internal exhibition space.
ICC Sydney is the centrepiece of its very own Sydney harbour waterfront precinct, set amongst restaurants, retail and a vibrant public domain on Darling Harbour, yet only a moment’s walk to Australia’s largest CBD and surrounding university and cultural quarters. It is the fulcrum of a broader AU$3.4 billion revitalisation of Darling Harbour.
Why you need to attend
As your industry association, AADA does a power of work behind the scenes advocating for Dealers’ interests with governments and regulators. Having a strong association is crucial to the future success of our industry and a well-attended Convention is a major component of that.
AADA does its best to keep Dealers informed of our projects and priorities, but the Convention represents the best means of coming face-to-face and engaging in a two-way dialogue that conveys our message while listening to your needs.
It is a wonderful opportunity to come together with your peers and inform yourself and your staff about everything that is going on in our industry.
The challenges for the retail automotive industry are significant. Whether it be autonomous vehicles, electric cars, ride-sharing or social media, there is no escaping the fact that we are well into the transition to the digital age. The old ways won’t work any more and those who cling to them will fall behind. On the other hand, those who arm themselves with the knowledge and aptitude to grow with this new world should continue to thrive. That’s what we aim to provide with this year’s convention, through every department of the modern dealership.
Dealers who actively engage with both technological progress and the consumer desires that drive it are the ones who will profit. They must engage on all sides: with manufacturers experimenting with new technology; with customers to ensure we are helping them get what they want from this brave new world, and with governments, so they are abreast of planning and legislative developments likely to impact their business models.
The next decade is likely to see more change in the retail automotive industry than in any before. It is an exciting time to be involved in our industry, but also a challenging one. The aim of the 2017 AADA National Dealer Convention and Expo is to inform and equip our members to best cope with that change.
To this end we are developing a three-track program of workshops, featured guests, keynote speakers and policy sessions to comprehensively cover the myriad issues and challenges facing Dealers now and into the future.
We encourage all Dealers to attend and bring along key members of staff in their Sales, Service, Aftermarket and Marketing departments.
