THE ROAD TO CONVENTIONS An Interview with Jillian March, MTADA Communications and Events Manager Jillian has taken on the giant task of planning the yearly convention among her other duties. We recently had the chance to talk to her about the yearly conventions and what it takes to make it happen. The following are excerpts from our conversation. What goes into planning a convention? To date, I have planned two conventions, in 2023 and 2024. I am just starting to work out the details for the 2025 convention. There is a lot that goes into planning big events like these. The location is always the first thing you have to think about. Finding a place that holds approximately 150 people and has enough hotel rooms for everybody is crucial. I’m an anxious person when it comes to parking, so I always want to make sure that there’s enough parking. It is important that the convention is held in a place that accommodates our members. I don’t want to ask our dealers to drive out of state, so we plan on staying in Montana. I love Montana. I love the beauty that’s here. I want our sponsors to see that Montana is more than just the rumor of no electricity and riding a horse to work every day. Do you have a favorite memory from a past convention? I don’t know if I have a favorite memory, but I definitely recall one moment that made me really glad that I am a part of the association and solidified that this was the right job for me. It was last year. Bruce mentioned that he wanted to get mechanic jumpsuits for himself, with our sponsor logos on it, to wear at the convention. I sarcastically asked him why Deb and I didn’t get one of the jumpsuits. He responded, “Yeah, we should all wear one!” Then my body tensed up. My sarcasm had gotten the better of me, and I thought, “This will be embarrassing because they’re men’s jumpsuits. They don’t fit women’s bodies very well.” All three of us ended up wearing the jumpsuits. We received nothing but positive feedback and our sponsors saw, in a very fun way, just how much we appreciated their support. It was at that moment I knew that this was exactly where I was supposed to be in life. I would do it all over again because I love supporting our sponsors and what their involvement means to our dealers. What do you hope dealers and sponsors get out of the convention? We want to help dealers build relationships with sponsors and learn about what’s new in the industry. That’s the whole point of our conventions. We prioritize getting sponsors that are invested in Montana dealers long-term. Bruce is always saying, “If sponsors want to be here for one year, that’s not my priority. I want someone who’s going be here in 20 years, still supporting dealers and helping the association,” and that has stuck with me. If I’m here in 20 years, I still want to have the same relationships with these companies. In short, conventions are all about getting everybody together and building relationships. 30 MONTANA AUTO DEALER
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