Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Not Attend the 2008
Convention!
by: Jeff Pastore, RVDA chairman of the board
#10 My service department is managed so well, I couldn’t
possibly learn any new ideas to increase efficiency and
profitability!
#9 My parts department is not in need of any new techniques to sell
more widgets!
#8 My absorption rate is already at 100 percent. Can’t do any
better than that . . . right?
#7 My sales staff are already closing 100 percent of their daily
leads, and they couldn’t sell another RV if they had to!
#6 As a dealer, I know all there is to know about the marketplace,
and I do not need to hear about future forecasts or trends for
planning!
#5 My F&I department is 100 percent compliant, and I know all
about the red flags.
#4 I don’t need to work with old and new vendors to find better
pricing and service on everything from web design and hosting to dealer
management systems.
#3 I do not need to get together in a room with a bunch of dealers
who sell my same brand and discuss with our manufacturer how we can be
more effective in the marketplace!
#2 Everyone in my dealership is trained and certified, and I
don’t need to be exposed to new and cost effective training
options.
And the NUMBER ONE reason you should not attend this year’s
Convention in Las Vegas:
#1 I already know everything there is to know about running an RV
dealership as is evident by the bottom line on my financials!
Please excuse my poor attempt at David Letterman-type humor. I
don’t think I will be quitting my “day job” anytime
soon for late night television, but you get the idea.
When we announced that this year’s Convention will be new and
different, we were not kidding. I have been to many of these
conventions, and always come away with more good ideas than can possibly
be implemented in one year. While this year will be no exception in the
“good idea” department, there will be so much that is new
and different, that the only thing you may recognize is your favorite
old slot machine!
We are launching a brand new track for dealers. Owners can sit around
the room with other owners and discuss issues of great importance to
them. You will be given invaluable, “up-to-the-minute”
information necessary to operate your business in these challenging,
economic times. Speakers are being brought in to address issues that
your fellow dealer/owners have requested. You will learn about the
latest forecasts from our RVIA partners, and you will gain valuable
insight regarding the economy from the “must see” economist,
Lowell Catlett.
As if that isn’t already enough, the long awaited and highly
anticipated “crown jewels” of what your association has been
working on for nearly two years will make their debut at this
year’s Convention . . . “RVDA’s Brand
Committees.” Meet with fellow dealers and your manufacturer
partners to discuss ways that can make both of you more competitive and
effective in the marketplace. Exchange strategies that can gain market
share, and consider – together - what can be done to attain
success in today’s business climate. Solve tough issues with a
mutual effort!
There will be new speakers, more forecasts, and a better format all
designed to give you what you asked for! You told us what you needed and
we are delivering.
In closing, let me leave you with this thought. A wise old sage in
this business, who I have come to respect and admire, once told me to
dedicate 10 percent of my advertising budget to training and education.
He said that I would have happier customers being better served by a
more satisfied staff with better financial results. It takes commitment,
but he was right!
As always, good or bad, let me know your thoughts!
