Opening Keynote sponsored by KICKER

Is the economy revving up, idling, or stalling out? Curtis Dubay, Chief Economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, will walk through where the economy is now, where it’s going in 2024, and where it's likely to be in 2025. He’ll talk inflation, the Fed, interest rates, and what all that means for consumer spending on powersports products.

Curtis will also dive into potential policy changes in Washington, the impact of the 2024 elections on the economy, and more. Be prepared to leave this keynote session armed with actionable knowledge and a sharper perspective on how to navigate the ever-evolving economic tides and steer your business toward greater success.

Join Susan Medrano, SVP & General Manager of Outdoors (Synchrony), alongside a panel of industry experts and dealers as we discuss opportunities to reshape the powersports buyer experience and tackle a wide-range of pressing questions like: 

• How do we define solid credit decisioning, and why is it crucial for dealers?
• What best practices successfully drive service, accessory, and upgrade messages when people aren't buying due to higher rates or lack of inventory?
• How are you hiring and training staff to sell at every touchpoint?
• What role do services and financing play in driving customer loyalty?

Looking to boost your dealership's online presence and overall conversion rate? Harness the power of online reviews to enhance the success of your dealership. In this session we'll uncover the powerful impact of reviews on Google's algorithm, resulting in a remarkable 10% surge in website traffic, phone calls, and walk-ins—all while streamlining your marketing expenses.

Learn how reviews cultivate trust within your local community, driving repeat business and influencing prospective customers to choose your dealership as their go-to option. This session will also equip you with valuable insights into consumer behavior and which systems will help you stay ahead of the competitors.

98% of business owners aren’t sure about their business’ value. Are you? Whether you're preparing for an exit or long-term growth, this session will help you maximize the potential of your dealership. Delve into the components that shape your dealership's valuation, master tips to optimize your balance sheet, and learn actionable steps to bolster both your wealth and business worth. Plus, gain valuable insights into tax-minimizing financial planning.

In this high-powered session, F&I guru Rob Greenwald examines the correlation of all departments – sales, service, parts, and F & I – and how they can work together to increase profits, as well as C.S.I. and customer retention. Uncover the true story of dealership success, where every team member plays a pivotal role.

Delve into the psychology of customer interactions and staff dynamics in this transformative session. Learn how to meet customer demands while optimizing profitability and operational efficiency. Rob Greenwald will provide a deep dive into the inner workings of your staff and management, addressing key areas like hiring, promotions, and strategic decision-making to keep your company on track. Discover the secrets of successful cross-industry hiring and the route to sustained success.

Powersports Business recognizes the 40 Under 40, Women With Spark, and the Best in Class Dealerships attending Powersports Business Accelerate Conference.

Studies have shown that up to 80% of our future success depends on EI (emotional intelligence) rather than IQ. The truth is, mastering emotional intelligence is the key to unlocking your true potential as a leader and communicator.

Join insightful keynote speaker, Stephen Barth, as he details exactly what emotional intelligence looks like in leadership. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of EI, a gap analysis for your personal path to mastering it, and insights on how to professionally cope with stress and challenges. We'll also discuss how to apply emotional intelligence in your own organizations to develop engaged, productive and committed employees.

It is essential for dealer principals to grasp that an employee who excelled in driving a dealership from point A to point C may not possess the skill set to navigate the journey to point D.

Hear from industry-veteran, Mark Sheffield, as he discusses crucial steps dealerships can take to prevent the loss of valuable employees due to well-intentioned choices. Explore the enhancement of job descriptions and prerequisites based on historical insights, strategic promotion of pivotal positions, and differentiation between capability and motivation in task completion. Understand the importance of adapting employee skill sets for a successful dealership journey.

Join renowned industry consultant and trainer, Steve Jones, as he delves into the dynamics of your service department. Discover crucial benchmarks to gauge and optimize your service department's profitability.

Explore strategies for boosting labor and P&A sales through effective service writing procedures. Learn how to maximize technician work time to enhance productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction. Elevate your customer relationships, fostering long-term loyalty and driving additional unit sales.

Prepare for a thought-provoking roundtable discussion featuring Zach Materne, Rob Hefner, Mark Sheffield, and John Warner led by Powersports Business Editor-in-Chief, Brendan Baker. 

The panel will navigate the changing tides of dealership financing, the effects of emerging technologies on F&I departments, lead qualification strategies, risk assessment, and preemptive measures to handle future challenges. Plus, join in the conversation with your own questions and insights during an interactive Q&A segment.

Get insights into distribution success at this panel discussion featuring manufacturer reps, distribution experts, and dealer advisors. Dive into distributor-dealer relationships, discover avenues for improvement, and address challenges for mutual benefit.