FEDA NEWS & VIEWS
THE CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Engage in Executive-Level Networking at the FEDA Conference
Te FEDA annual conference mixes insights and strategies with unmatched peer networking for business leaders that can help shape their next chapter.
There’s no shortage of big questions business leaders must grapple with every day. Where should I allocate more resources? Do I have the right people in place? How can I better serve customers while attracting new ones? But
smaller things can be front of mind, too. That’s why it’s invaluable to have experienced mentors who can validate your concerns. As someone who’s been involved in various business groups and events for nearly four decades, I know there is no better place to make those professional connections than at the FEDA conference, which was renamed last year to the FEDA Annual Executive Leadership Conference to strengthen the emphasis on programming for industry CEOs and other senior leaders. When I first attended the conference about 25 years ago, it quickly became clear that it was an event where I could interact with people who had already weathered the same challenges I was just beginning to face. Their patience and insights were invaluable as I was figuring out how to grow The Sam Tell Companies. Even now, on the back nine of my career, the conference remains a great place to have those kinds of interactions. There’s no other event that offers quite the same opportunity to be with your professional friends and peers in a relaxed setting, away from the distractions of our offices or the bustle of a trade show. The networking is unparalleled, and the best conversations often happen at the cocktail party, around the pool or in the downtime between or after sessions. Being together allows us to easily compare notes on the trends in our local markets and business conditions across the country. The 2025 conference’s thoughtfully designed speaker lineup deepens these conversations by presenting informed
“The challenge of growing a dealership can be overwhelming, and no business leader should have to figure out all the answers by themselves.”
insights into ongoing industry shifts and innovative approaches to growth. I’m especially excited to hear our keynote presentation, From Good to Great Leaders, which will be delivered by business researcher Jim Collins. I’ve had the fortune to hear him speak before and have been impressed by his ability to simplify complex business concepts into actionable items. At this year’s conference, he’ll share insights into the attributes and practices that make for great leaders based on his extensive research into real-world organizations. Like many business executives, I often get anxious about stepping away from my business for a few days, but with Collins, I’m confident our time will be more than worthwhile as we gain new, practical strategies for leading our companies. Beyond the speakers, I’m also eager for members to learn more about the progress FEDA is making on its own initiatives. FEDA’s Early Tech Adopters group, which guides the FEDA DP+Q (data portal plus quoting) project, will come together this summer to provide feedback on new software options from project partners. Meanwhile, FEDA’s Emerging Dealers Council, Future
of Distribution Council and Dealer Growth Accelerator Mentoring Steering Committee are all positioning dealers and the distribution industry for success. These efforts are not only examples of how the association is helping members move forward, but they are the key pieces creating the FEDA of the 21st century — one that is ready for whatever direction the industry takes next. The conference is where that vision comes to life, and I encourage all leaders in our field to attend and see it all firsthand.
Marc Tell is the chief executive officer of Sam Tell Companies and the chairman of FEDA’s Board of Directors.
4 FEDA News & Views
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