CANADA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Instant Observations By Russ Newton — Sure Grip PRESIDENT, NMEDA CANADA
F
our years absent from this
in concert with an incredibly well
NMEDA Canada recently attend the
position bookended by four
prepared team of NMEDA staffers was
CAOT conference in British Columbia.
years of active duty, with four
a joy to view.
We had a significant sponsorship
The second and most notable
role that saw Tamalea Stone address
months of new service, I have some instant observations. First significant observation was the NMEDA strategic planning session held in April. The event unto itself was a brilliant collaboration of directors, staff and a moderator. The event was laserfocused on where your association would concentrate resources for the next three years. I was fortunate enough to have been a participant in a like-planning session a few years back. While some of the folks around the table were unchanged and the
“
moderator was the same fellow, the
observation is the way in which NMEDA is now recognized as the preeminent voice in automotive mobility. I am aware of scenarios
the attendees as part of the opening night program. Tamalea delivered a strong message, leaving no doubt that NMEDA ought to be the sole source
where NMEDA has collaborated with
for auto mobility in Canada.
government agencies, vehicle OEMs
NMEDA went to that event with a
and rule/law makers in other countries
couple of funders circled as primary
relative to compliance and quality.
targets. I can tell you that we began
Again, simply speaks to the quality
a very meaningful conversation
and workmanship being applied to
with a major Canadian funder of
our craft by volunteers and staff.
auto mobility. That conversation has
Simply had to allude to the quality of
morphed into one or more face-
the advancements, the maturity and
Simply, had to allude to the quality of the advancements, the maturity and ongoing initiatives that have occurred over the past four years with NMEDA as an association.”
to-face meetings with that funder looking to understand how NMEDA dealers can provide value and quality to their auto mobility purchases. Darlene from AVS in Kelowna and Lars Taylor our professional member also joined us in Whistler, manning the booth and spreading the good word. A new initiative from the Canadian group that is being headed by Darin
tone, process, focus, symmetry, and
ongoing initiatives that have occurred
Ashby with help from Aaron Andre
most importantly, resulting mandates
over the past four years with NMEDA
is what we are calling our ”Dealer
are clear, concise, and perfectly
as an association.
Support Forum.” The first meeting is
created to provide growth for the
OK, lots going on in Canada. A new
association and its members. By the
Board now in place: Tamalea Stone,
time you are reading this you will have
Vice President; Pierre Cote, Secretary;
seen the outcomes from the session
Serge Lavallee, Treasurer; Darin
and will see exactly where and how
Ashby, Darlene Nargang, and Shelly
your Association is focused. All of
Pattenden, Directors at Large; and
this to say that your volunteer leaders
Lars Taylor, Professional Member.
38
NMEDA Circuit Breaker
scheduled for July. The goal is to look broadly at what issues are common amongst our dealers from a service standpoint and look to resolve those common issues as a group versus a single dealer position. I’m excited to see how this progresses.
