Another year is in the books for the trailer industry . At the North American Trailer Dealers Association ( NATDA ), we are preparing for another successful year of growth for not only our association , but our members as well . 2017 was one of the association ’ s most productive years and we look to continue that trend .
Through sponsorships with our partners , we provided free hotel rooms to over 300 trailer dealers that attended the 2017 NATDA Trade Show & Convention in Indianapolis , Indiana . Many of those dealers were present early Thursday morning for our biggest technical training and dealer education seminars , yet . From hitch installations to our brand new NATDA Dealership Performance Training classes , almost every seminar was filled to the brim with interested dealers .
This year was filled with new , free program offerings for NATDA members , too . The 2017 NATDA Buyer ’ s Guide , featuring the top trailer manufacturers in the business , now makes things easier if you are looking to add to your dealership . Not only can you find company descriptions and contact information for manufacturers , but you can determine exactly what companies offer and even contact their sales teams directly . With 100 + manufacturers in the guide , it is now easier than ever to provide your customers with new products .
The 2017 NATDA Buyer ’ s Guide helps you provide more for your customers . Our new NATDA Dealership Performance Training ensures your dealership is providing more for you . With online modules and documented processes , you can now improve every aspect of your dealership – from the parts department to customer service . For a personal touch , our NATDA Dealer Success Groups connect you and your dealership ’ s management with industry experts and other dealership owners through regularly scheduled online meetings for each of your dealership ’ s departments .
A new member benefit , Trailer Makers Dealers Insurance Program , offers features specifically for NATDA members . With insurance coverage , risk management services , business continuation planning and more , this member benefit is provided to protect your bottom line .
This year , we took our free dealer education webinars to the next level with classes such as The High-Performance Service Technician and Marketing Against The Big Trailer Competition . With guests like Bob Clements International ’ s Bob Clements and AM Consulting ’ s Mark Wagner , 2017 ’ s round of webinars saw a dramatic increase in dealer interest and participation .
Also new to the association , the NATDA Industry Job Search now provides positions across the country and industry . From welders to regional sales representatives , manufacturers and dealers have increasingly found the job board as a place to post their positions to reach a wider , industry-skilled audience .
Throughout the entirety of 2017 , everything the association did was done to help dealerships across the country while collectively improving the industry . We look forward to developing more programs and offerings for you , the dealer , in 2018 .
8 NATDA Magazine www . natda . org