Associations

education, which is mandated by the state,” Melendez said. “For VIADA, once a year we have a state convention in October, then in April we do what we call a Dealer Education Day.”

Like the convention, the Dealer Education Day has vendors but it is a single day event, compared to the multi-day state convention, Melendez said.

One of the benefits of attending either of the two annual association events is they each offer the statemandated continuing education course for free.

“That way we get more people to visit with our vendors,” Melendez said.

BY JEFFREY BELLANT

behalf of their industry.

The association’s lobbying and its efforts to boost dealer education are things Executive Director Alvin Melendez is proud to talk about.

Melendez is also prepping for Virginia IADA’s Dealer Education Day event that occurs once a year in April.

“This is separate from continuing