Forgive me, but I'm going to be shamelessly blowing our Service Dealer trumpet today, because it's that time of year again when we are full-steam ahead, diving headlong into our fantastic Conference & Awards that are taking place next Thursday.

Before I get to that though, I would just like to highlight a particular entry in today's Weekly Update worthy of your attention -  Jason Nettle's penultimate piece chronicling his ridiculous marathon year! Jason has now completed eleven of his twelve charity runs (eleven!) - with his final one just around the corner.

I spoke to Jason this week and he expressed to me just how grateful he is for all the support and encouragement he has been shown for his endeavours throughout this year - by friends, colleagues and peers across the industry. Dealer and manufacturer alike. He has smashed the fundraising target he set himself back in January, with his amazing total currently standing at an extraordinary £14,222!

However, as you might expect, in his inimitable Jason way, he is not prepared to let it rest there. Nor indeed is he allowing those who have promised to support him and who haven't yet done so, to get away with it! He says today, "Well, friends, the end is here! Now is the time to hit that button before my running shoes disintegrate completely.

If you’ve been waiting for the final countdown, this is it!"

So please, if you haven't donated yet, you can do so here. Obviously the charities are all amazing - but it also might be advisable to do so for your own sake, in case Jason catches up with you any time soon!

Also today, I'd like to point you in the direction of our freshly published Equip Digital Special Report. In association with the OPEI, our crack technical team (David and Rob) have put together an amazing resource that can act as a taster of just what the huge trade show based in Louisville, Kentucky can offer a visiting dealer from this side of the Atlantic. It's packed full of video content in which you can watch our UK contingent speak with U.S manufacturers, dealers, trade associations, and specialist trainers to take the temperature of the market over there. It's well worth having a browse through at your leisure. And do keep returning to it over the coming weeks as we shall be serialising a round-table, long-form discussion featuring our friends, Bob and Sara from dealer training specialists BCI.

2025 Conference & Awards

Which brings me to next week. Thursday at the Crown Plaza in Stratford Upon Avon is shaping up to be quite a special day. The Conference, as you've probably heard, is based around the theme of Resilience. Considering the concept for dealerships large and small, our line-up of expert speakers will be exploring what it takes not just to survive, but to thrive, in rapidly changing times.

There's a lot to get excited about. I'm fascinated to hear the keynote by comedian and corporate speaker, Stuart Goldsmith. Through his Comedian's Comedian podcast, Stuart has spoken to just about every top comic you can think of - and has learnt from them just what it takes to survive in a tough, often solitary, industry. I'm sure he'll be drawing parallels with our sector and illustrating how resilience plays out not just in business, but in life, mindset and culture.

Always fascinating are the Customer Insight sessions. This year we're joined by ex-BAGMA director Ian Beecher-Jones of JoJo's Vineyard and Jim McKensie MBE from Celtic Manor Resort. Both of these guys are at the top of their games and will be in regular contact with their local dealers. They know what they expect from their machinery suppliers and they will also appreciate just how important an on-going, interpersonal relationship is with their dealership contact. To hear from customers like these who rely on their local specialist to keep their businesses rolling, will be of great benefit.

We'll also hear from well-known industry stalwart Gary Whitney, who'll reflect on lessons learned across the sector and consider the network’s threats and opportunities. In addition, we have two ever-popular breakout sessions. Firstly Nick Elston will be exploring the topic of mental health in the workplace from the perspective of a lived experience, with heart and humour. Whilst Neil Wilkins is returning again after his session on A.I last year to consider how much the whole area has developed in the last 12 months and think about how dealers can integrate its usages into their everyday processes.

All of this is followed, of course, by a fantastic celebration of our incredible network in the Dealer Of The Year Awards. The winners will be announced Oscar-style on the night, with the party no doubt continuing on into the early hours!

Seriously, it seems to me - as someone who gets to turn up and experience the day alongside our dealer delegates - that there is plenty there to greatly anticipate. It's always a day packed with hard-working learning opportunities, but flavoured with a sense of camaraderie and good humour throughout.

The Service Dealer team is looking forward to welcoming all our delegates and sponsors next week (without whom, of course, the day would not be possible) for another cracking event.

See you there!