The timetable and content of the 2015 Service Dealer Conference are now confirmed as:
MORNING
10.00-10.30: Registration and coffee
10.30-10.45: Welcome by Duncan Murray-Clarke
10.45-11:45: Keynote Address: ADAM HENSON
11.55-12:55: Panel Debate 1: DEALER 2020
13.00-14.00: Lunch
AFTERNOON
14.05-14.50: Panel Debate 2: SERVICE AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
14.50-15.10: Coffee Break
15.15-16.00: Panel Debate 3: COMMUNICATING WITH CUSTOMERS
16.00-16:20: Tea Break
16:20-17:00: QUESTION TIME
17:00-17.30: Post conference networking drinks
PANEL SESSIONS
The panel debates will features a line-up of dealers representing all sectors within the grass machinery, farm machinery, outdoor power equipment, forestry equipment and ATV/Quad markets.
They range from large multi-branch dealerships to small owner operated dealerships. We are very grateful to them for agreeing to participate in the conference.
The panels will be chaired by Roger Lane-Nott (former CEO of the AEA) and Chris Biddle (founding editor of Service Dealer)
After opening questions to the panel by the chairman, the debate will be opened out to delegates for comment, ideas and individual contributions
PANEL 1: DEALER 2020 (11.55-12.55)
Moderator: Roger Lane-Nott
PANEL: Alex Scott, managing director, T H White Group; Ian Nutt, managing director, Lister Wilder; David Sturges, chief executive, Godfreys and Lewis Anderson, new business development manager, Rochfords
The panel will consider the factors, both internal and external, that are likely to impact on the specialist dealer network over the coming years. The relationship they will have with suppliers, and what lessons can be learned from other industries?
PANEL 2: SERVICE: PROFIT AND THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLGICAL CHANGE (14.05-14.50)
Moderator: Chris Biddle
PANEL: Steve Halley, managing director, Cheshire Turf Machinery; Neale Hopley, Director, Buxtons and Guy Freeman, Director, Ibbetts
In an age of pressure on margins on whole goods, the provision of service and parts must make a major profit contribution to the dealers bottom line. But will new technology (cordless, robotics etc) impact on future service potential?
PANEL 3: COMMUNICATING WITH CUSTOMERS (15.15-16.00)
Moderator: Roger Lane-Nott
Panel: Brian Mitchell, head of retail, Cyril Johnston Ltd; James Hayes, owner, Hayes Garden Machinery, Andrew Meek, director, Congleton Garden Machinery
In recent times, methods of communicating with existing and potential customers has grown out of all proportion. Today, the local dealer can communicate just as effectively as the major stores with a toolbox of new and old technology. What works best, and can dealer evalute response?
QUESTION TIME (16.20-17.00)
During the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to submit question to the QUESTION TIME panel, which will be chaired by Chris Biddle. They might be triggered by debate during the panel sessions or new issues that that have not been covered. The composition of the panel will be announced during the afternoon session.
Profiles of all our speakers can be found on our website