Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 12

53 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 12 COLORADO AUTO DEALERS ASSOC I AT ION Besides affecting the auto show, the pandemic also impacted how the association conducts its training seminars, which Kim Jackson admits has turned out rather unexpectedly. She shares, “Historically, our greatest attendance levels were when we offered anything about compliance, and most of our members would attend such seminars in person. But Colorado is a big state, which could have perfect weather in Denver and on the western slope, yet members still have to get through the mountains. Also, if coming from another part of the state, they would need to spend the night at a hotel just to attend a seminar. After COVID hit, we switched to webinars. The pandemic gave us that final push, and now webinars are much preferred by most members, and we have greater attendance than we did in person.” Besides affecting the association, the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected the automobile getting somebody down to the Capitol to testify or to show support for or against an upcoming measure, the most effective channel we have is texting members from the CEO’s phone. A trade association’s main purpose is keeping its members safe at the state or federal legislature, so we do all we can to keep our members informed and empowered.” The COVID-19 pandemic did affect how the association conducts its activities, primarily in- person events like the auto show. “We canceled last year’s auto show,” says Tim Jackson. “This year, we moved it outdoors, which we got a lot of positive feedback on from our attendees, but it still affected attendance levels.” The association is mulling on the way to approach the 2022 Denver Auto Show. He says they are consulting with other auto shows across the country trying to figure out the way forward.