47th Annual Meeting and Luncheon

Events 01/29/17

January 29, 2017 at 11:30 am

Hilton Riverside Hotel, 2 Poydras Street , New Orleans , Louisiana, United States

AIADA members gathered in New Orleans on January 29, 2017 for AIADA's 47th Annual Meeting and Luncheon. The event was headlined by John Mendel, Executive Vice President at American Honda Motor Co. and featured the passing of the gavel from 2016 AIADA Chairman Greg Kaminsky of California to 2017 Chairman Paul Ritchie of Maryland, as well as the presentation of the 2017 David F. Mungenast Lifetime Achievement Award to Pennsylvania dealer Jim Smail. 

AIADA President Cody Lusk opened the event on an optimistic note, looking ahead to what was in store for a new Congress and new presidential administration before sharing with dealers about a new threat on their horizon: the proposed border adjustment tax (BAT). 

"I know I don’t have to explain to you how a 20 percent tax on the cars sitting on your lots would be a devastating blow to you, your businesses, and your customers," he said. "But you should know that it’s a very real threat as we head into this year and combatting it will take the engagement and advocacy of all of us."

Later in the event, 2017 Chairman Paul Ritchie took the stage to share with dealers about his vision for the year, urging them to help their legislators understand how much the international nameplate industry does for the U.S.

"Before 'import' becomes a dirty word in Washington, D.C., AIADA members must act. We must promote understanding that the auto industry is truly a global industry. That if our government treats it like a piggy bank, treats us and our customers like piggy banks, they’re going to hamstring one of the country’s most important economic engines."

For photos from AIADA's 47th Annual Meeting and Luncheon, click here.   

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