Pub. 1 2019-2020 Issue 2

20 NextGen Dealer Participation is Key to the Future of the Industry Hilary Haron, Haron Jaguar Land Rover Board Member, CNCDA Chair, CNCDA NextGen Dealers Committee A s the retail automotive industry continues to change and the landscape evolves around us, it is critical that CNCDA continues to best en- gage a diverse array of dealers throughout the state. As a NextGen dealer, CNCDA Board Member and the CNCDA NextGen Committee Chair, it is my goal to en- gage more dealers in association activities who fall within this demographic. While this may be a new term to some, NextGen Dealers are the leaders of today’s and tomor- row’s retail automotive industry throughout California. Becoming a dealer principal has been an exciting journey. My family has been in the automotive business for many years, and at our current location since 1946. I worked with my family while going through school and have always loved the dynamics of the industry and being in the dealership. I was motivated to take on this role by watching my father continue the business my grandfather started. As a leader in my dealership, I’m continuously looking for ways to enhance my knowledge on not just what goes on in my business day to day, but what is taking place on the legislative and regulatory fronts, especially at the state level. To satisfy this need for knowledge, I’ve increased my participation in CNCDA activities and events over recent years, finding myself ea- ger to participate at the leadership level, and now serve on the CNCDA Board of Directors and as the CNCDA Chair of the NextGen Committee. The information gained and networking opportunities have been valuable and continue to shape who I am as a leader in my dealership, my community and as a leader in the industry. I encourage all dealers to engage in growing their knowl- edge and increasing their participation, even if it’s as simple as writing a letter to a representative. For the next-genera- tion dealer, who is also the next generation consumer, it’s even more important to not only be knowledgeable about the current environment, but to see what is happening on the horizon in order to be able to innovate and prepare for the evolution of the automotive space. Even more so in in California than in other places, preserving and prolonging our industry depends on our engagement. Who is a NextGen Dealer? A CNCDA NextGen dealer is a young Dealer Principal or successor, holds a managerial position at a dealership, is on a succession plan to do so or must be nominated by a current Dealer Principal. Why Participate in CNCDA’s NextGen Activities? California’s NextGen dealers are the future leaders of the industry. Becoming a leader means gaining confidence and knowledge about the industry through peer-to-peer activities and cultivates an environment where leadership thrives and helps to further shape the future of the indus- try in California. NextGen engagement and participation helps encourage young dealers and dealership succes- sors to have a stake in the political future of the industry. How Can You Engage as a NextGen Dealer? CNCDA has an exciting and challenging 2019 ahead of us. We need and encourage involvement and support from NextGen dealers on all fronts including advocacy, legal, regulatory and event participation. While we have several priorities for 2019, we are excited to engage deal- ers across the state in our legislative efforts and network- ing opportunities, including: 1. CNCDA Dealer Day, March 27, 2019: Sacramento, CA (already took place) 2. CNCDA Northern California Member Appreciation Dinner, June 5, 2019: San Francisco, CA 3. NADA Washington Conference, September 16-17, 2019: Washington, D.C.