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Unlocking Opportunities

May 15, 2024
Grappone Conference Center
NHADA's Business Conference & Partner Expo
Breakout Session

Navigating Participation Programs in a Turbulent Industry

Today, the automotive industry has a high percentage of salespeople and managers who have never sold vehicles outside of the COVID era. Inventories are swelling to record levels, interest rates are at historic highs driving captive finance penetrations down, dealerships are discounting, consumers are shopping, OEMs are rebating again, front end gross profit is disappearing and F&I income per retail has been declining $150 to $300 post COVID. Now is the time to proactively review your strategy and financial needs in a changing industry.

In our session, we will compare the mainstream participation program structures and discuss how each one differs. Understanding the unique benefits of each structure will allow you to navigate which program best meets your financial needs in the short and long term. Additionally, we will provide you with benchmarks and ‘best practices’ on how to effectively manage risk which will maximize your program’s profitability. The time to act is now.

Presented By:

Robert Walton Headshot Robert Walton
Assurant Dealer Services – an ENDORSED NHADA Diamond Partner
 

Robert has been the Director of Reinsurance and Product Development nationwide for Assurant Dealer Services since 2017. Prior to joining Assurant, Robert was the Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Participation Programs in the Gulf States Financial Services Group for 16 years. Robert served as a Director of the GSFS Group, Inc. as well as on the Board of Directors for Sentruity Property & Casualty Company (AM Best Rated A-).

Robert began his career in the mid-eighties with Pat Ryan & Associates and served as the Senior Vice President of the Southern Division for the United States. His responsibilities included management of the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest Regions.

His retail automotive career includes ‘Director of Fixed’ Operations for the Charlie Thomas Automotive Group (7 franchises). Robert also held the position of General Manager for Charlie Thomas Mazda in the Metro-Houston area.

Robert received his BS undergraduate degree from MTSU in Tennessee and General Management Certification from Rice University, Jesse Jones Business School of Management in Houston, Texas. He is married with two sons and lives in Houston, Texas.

EVENT AGENDA

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Assembly Lobby, Armory

Partner Registration & Setup

Partner Registration in Assembly Lobby, Setup in Armory

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Assembly Lobby, Armory

Attendee Registration

Attendee Registration in Assembly Lobby, Continental Breakfast in Armory

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Business Sessions 1
Powerpoint Leadership Room

Economic Forecast

Presented By: Mark Strand, Cox Automotive Inc.

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Business Sessions 1
Panelist Room

Employment Law: Most Asked Questions and Q&A

Presented By: Margaret "Peg" O'Brien, McLane Middleton;
Jennifer Shea Moeckel, Cook Little, pllc;
Hilary Holmes Rheaume, Bernstein Shur
Marrielle Van Rossum, Devine Millimet & Branch PA

9:00 AM - 10:15 AM

Business Session 1

EVs Are Here And There is No Going Back

Presented By:  Craig Van Batenburg and Aiden Neary, ACDC 

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

Armory

Partner Expo & Lunch

Lunch available in the Armory

11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

Business Sessions 2
Powerpoint Leadership Room

Overcoming Leadership Gaps

Presented By: Bill Napolitano, ProActive Leadership Group

11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

Business Session 2

EV Round Table Discussion

Presented By: Dan Bennett, NHADA, 
Hilary Holmes Rheaume, Bernstein Shur,
Jim Merrill, Bernstein Shur

12:45 AM - 1:45 PM

Armory

Partner Expo & Lunch

Lunch available in the Armory

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Business Sessions 3

Building High Performance Teams

Presented By: Gerri King, Human Dynamics Associates

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Business Sessions 3
Powerpoint Leadership Room

NH Titles & Regulations FAQs

Presented By: Kirsten Lange, Supervisor 1, Title Bureau, New Hampshire DMV

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM

Business Sessions 3
Panelist Room

Meet The New Hampshire DMV

Bureau/Division: John C. Marasco, Director Division of Motor Vehicles;
Nathan A. Noyes, Colonel Division, NH State Police;
James O'Leary, Lieutenant Division, NH State Police;
Jennifer O'Leary, Title Bureau, NH DMV

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Cocktails & Networking