| Written by Tony Moorby, on 07-29-2010 10:11 AM |
The National Independent Automobile Dealers Associ-ation recently held their annual convention in Las Vegas and, as usual, it was a gala affair. Mike Linn, the Association’s CEO, is a glitzy guy. But it’s not all show.
He’s a weathered executive director, having been around the association business for many years. He ran the Carolinas’ association for a good while before taking on the national.
Mike also has something of a show biz background as a one-time film producer – remember “Smokey and the Bandit?” That was one of his. So glitz is in the genes.
But whilst he goes to great lengths to match the Vegas visibility, there’s a group of people behind him with the most solid administration and organizational skills. Each is gifted in certain talents, from running scholarship foundation funding and student selection, publishing and advertising, communicating with the state association affiliates, accounting and tax specialists, to member benefits programs and the list goes on.
One of the most important behind-the-scenes activities is oversight of regulatory affairs. Keith Whann is the association’s general counsel, but he’s a lot more than a pen-pushing lawyer. He played M.C. during two whole days of general session subjects with insightful and obviously knowledgeable input on any subject to do with cars and selling them. In concert with a newly aligned lobbying firm in DC, he has spearheaded NIADA’s positions and has illuminated many a lawmaker from otherwise darkened ignorance. It’s thanks in part to him that dealers were spared from some parts of the recent financial reform law.
Kimberley Cook makes conventions look easy. From the moment you register to the time you check out she’s got her finger on the pulse of every conceivable detail. I’ve always said that the easiness of a convention for its attendees is in indirect proportion to the underlying difficulties of putting it all together.
Mike has many such gifted assets but there’s no extravagance in running the place. They inhabit a relatively small and conservative looking building in the outskirts of Dallas that exudes frugality. But in these belt-tightening times, thanks to the continued sponsorship of industry friends and relations, attending dealers were treated to all the normal activities associated with Las Vegas. The programs this year were well reasoned for the times we’re living in and to-the-point education sessions were well attended.
For me, who’s been around this thing for longer than I care to admit, it’s still a thrill to see and visit with some, admittedly, old codgers of the business but what’s even better is seeing the attraction of some younger people to this noble effort. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Mike and all his crew.
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