September 20–21, 2026
Hilton Columbus Downtown
Presented by AppOne, Title Sponsor
Built by Dealers, for Dealers
DealerConnect is a one of a kind two-day event focused on the challenges and opportunities facing powersports dealers today.
Experienced dealers, educators and industry experts give you practical strategies to improve profitability, leadership, staffing, customer experience and long-term success.
Most importantly, connect with people who understand your business, share ideas openly and help move the dealer community forward.
Be a part of the larger Dealer community, be a part of DealerConnect.
YOUR TICKET INCLUDES:
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Access to ALL Education Sessions Listed Below
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Breakfast, Lunch on Sunday and Monday
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Sunday early evening Welcome Reception with AppOne hosted Bar
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Network with other Dealers, Industry experts and NPDA Partners
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And a special gift from Dealernews (Ohio Buckeyes?!)
DealerConnect Session Topics & Education Tracks
Day | Session | Topic | Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
Sales & Customer Experience | |||
Sunday | Morning | Integrating AI into the Sales Process | David Gatti |
Sunday | Afternoon | Selling Techniques That Work with Today's More Informed Customer | Tom O'Connor |
Sunday | Afternoon | AppOne (F&I / Finance Solutions) | Andrew Fuller, Cam Domine |
Sunday | Afternoon | Is SEO Worth the Money? | David Gatti |
Monday | Morning | Lead Management: The Lost Value of a Customer You Didn't Respond To | Andrew Campbell, Ashley Cavazos |
Monday | Morning | Getting a "Selling" Mindset to Become Culture in Your Parts & Accessories Department | Jolene Krizan |
Monday | Afternoon | FTC Panel Discussion | Jayson Davis, Mark Sheffield, Michael Maledon |
Staffing, Leadership & Culture | |||
Sunday | Morning | When the Shop is Breaking Down, It's Rarely the Technicians | Mark Boswell |
Sunday | Morning | Making Meetings Count: How to Make In-Store Meetings So Good Your Staff Will Look Forward to Them | Andrew Campbell, Ashley Cavazos |
Monday | Morning | The Talent Crisis is Real | Mark Boswell |
Monday | Morning | Teaching Employees Best Practices to Avoid Malicious Cyber Attacks | Accelerate2Compliance |
Monday | Afternoon | Trouble Staffing Your Dealership? Quit Offering Jobs and Start Building Careers | Mark Sheffield |
Monday | Afternoon | "Ask Me Anything" | David Pearson, Mark Sheffield |
Profitability & Business Strategy | |||
Sunday | Morning | Reports and Shortcuts Lightspeed Users Can't Live Without | Bryan Tierney, Mark Sheffield |
Sunday | Morning | The Moto Julia Dealership Turnaround | Max Materne |
Sunday | Afternoon | Used Inventory Management: Half the Price of New | Jim Woodruff, Mike Murray |
Sunday | Afternoon | Cutting Through the AI Hype: 4 Dealership Problems AI Actually Solves (and 5 Things It Will Never Do) | Mat Koenig |
Sunday | Afternoon | Designing the Dealership of the Future | Max Materne |
Monday | Morning | Getting Insurance Coverage in Today's Market | Zach Materne, Gene Silas |
Exit Strategies for Dealership Successions | |||
Sunday | Morning | From “Someday” to Strategy: Succession & Exit Planning for Powersports and Harley Dealers | Paulina Matel, Brad Stanek, Juan Pardo |
Sunday | Afternoon | The Dealer’s Case File: Real Exit Wins, Real Mistakes, and What You Can Do Next | Paulina Matel, Brad Stanek, Courtney Bernhard |
AppOne Steps In as Title Sponsor
AppOne’s role as Title Sponsor reinforces a shared commitment to helping dealers operate more efficiently—especially in financing, deal flow, and customer experience.
“DealerConnect is all about meaningful connections, real conversations, and practical solutions for today’s powersports dealers,” said Chet Heughan. “Being named NPDA’s first-ever title sponsor is an honor for us, and it reflects our shared commitment to help dealers simplify processes, expand financing opportunities, and grow with confidence.”
Education Sponsors:
2026 DealerConnect Exhibitors
Partner Organizations:
2026 Sponsorships Are Still Available
Contact Us if you are interested in becoming
a Partner, Exhibitor. or Sponsor for 2026 Dealer Connect.
Contact Tigra at Tigra@npda.org