Top Dealership Minds Gather in Madison, Wis. to Discuss Transitional Management Strategies at the 10th Annual Dealership Minds Summit

The 2024 Dealership Minds Summit, held at the Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Madison, Wis., on August 6-7, drew a crowd of 219 attendees — including 88 first-timers — from 45 different dealerships across the United States and Canada.

Centered on the theme “Planning & Executing Transitional Management,” the program featured 2-days of dealer-to-dealer roundtables sessions, panel presentations, general sessions and intense networking opportunities. 

Farm Equipment  executive editor Kim Schmidt noted during opening remarks that attendees would head home with actionable ideas to help with the transition of the next set of dealership leaders that are coming up through the ranks, and based on feedback she received from those in attendance, the Dealership Minds Summit delivered.

“Beyond just the informative sessions, one of the aspects of the Summit that always stands out for attendees are the roundtable discussions and networking opportunities. And from what I heard from dealers in attendance, this year was no different. Whether it was in the sessions themselves or in hallway conversations, attendees went home with leadership development strategies they can implement back at the dealership right away. This is always two of my favorite days of the year and I was very pleased to see, and be part of, many thought provoking and idea-sharing conversations over the last two days,” says Schmidt.

Among the highlights of the 2024 Dealership Minds Summit were an energizing and stage-setting kick-off presentation by Titan Machinery CEO, B.J. Knutson; the "fan-favorite" Dealership of the Year Alumni panel that featured a candid conversation about the successes and lessons that have propelled these dealer groups to industry-best status; and the 2nd annual Mark Kreps & Steve Connelly Memorial Lecture, led by Butler Machinery Executive Director — Regional Operations, Dusty Schulz, who shared strategies on how to advance your team with internal development programs.

As CEO of the over 90-store Case IH ag and construction dealer, Knutson was impressed with this year's event and theme, and encourages all farm equipment dealerships to join in future years.

"This conference is outstanding but it gets exponentially better with the more dealers we can get here," he says. "The networking in the roundtables and halls is so powerful and you can really learn from the best of the best brains in the business here."

Also announced in Madison were the dates and location of the 11th Annual Dealership Minds Summit, that will be held July 29-30, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa.

From the single-location independent retailer to the multi-store farm equipment dealer, intense knowledge sharing and networking were in abundance throughout the 2024 Dealership Minds Summit.