In February my employer invited me to attend the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention in Las Vegas. I'm not a big fan of Vegas, but it was an opportunity to combine business and pleasure at company expense. I paid my wife's air fare and she joined me for three days at the fabulous Bellagio Hotel.
If you've never attended an NADA convention, it is a huge event, where every major car manufacturer displays their new models, and most aftermarket suppliers showcase their products.
Of major interest to me, was the numerous workshops. I perused the list and selected three, one for each day. The first workshop I attended was Value In The Service Lane, How to Create Lifelong Customer Relationships, by John Dillon, which is near to my heart and in line with my book, So, You're In The People Business. The second day I chose Hiring For Success - The Right Person, In the Right Position, Managed the Right Way, by Art Niemann Jr.. The title and sub-title say it all, and this aligns with my business key to success: Hire the right people, train them properly, and treat them right so they stay with you. The third day was a natural for me, as a body shop manager - Increasing Production in Your Body Shop, by Robert Rick. After listening to Robert Rick for an hour and a half, I wanted to bring him back to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to spend a few days in my shop, but at least I came away with some fresh ideas and new enthusiasm for managing my body shop in a Chevrolet dealership.
My wife only left the Bellagio once, to attend an Elton John show at Caesers Palace.
Les
