Planning a precision legacy, overcoming the limitations of today’s equipment compatibility and stretching marketing dollars for maximum return were building blocks of the second Precision Farming Dealer Summit.
Featuring a speaker lineup that included 13 leading dealer groups representing more than $750 million in annual revenue, the event held at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark Hotel, on Jan. 9-10, drew a sold out crowd of 196 precision farming professionals from 92 different dealerships across 27 states, as well as Canada and Australia.
Emphasizing the theme Proven Business Blueprints, Precision Farming Dealer managing editor Jack Zemlicka noted during opening remarks that many dealers have the same questions when it comes to strengthening the foundation of their precision business:
- How do we create, price and promote money-making service packages?
- What are the secrets to conquering compatibility challenges?
- How can we better measure and improve employee performance?
While no dealership has perfected the design of a precision farming business, the 16 speakers, 2 sets of roundtable discussions and intense networking opportunities at the 2 day conference sought to candidly deliver managerial cornerstones for turning promise into profit.
Takeaways ranged from the sensible (utilizing customers as “unpaid salespeople” to increase business) to the philosophical (what is a dealer’s HABU — highest and best use) to help define their transitional objectives, and attendees extended their network of precision allies before heading home.
Informal Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Coverage
Among the highlights of the 2017 Precision Farming Dealer Summit were 14 dealer roundtable sessions that offered face-to-face opportunities to ask questions, discuss challenges and share solutions to pressing precision problems.
From the single-location independent retailer to the multi-store farm equipment dealer, the veteran precision ag manager to the newly hired specialist, the passion for precision farming was prevalent during each structured learning session and hallway conversations.
The pages that follow offer in-depth summaries of the Summit’s top learning-intensive sessions. Stay tuned for extended coverage of the 2017 Summit online at www.Farm-Equipment.com and www.PrecisionFarmingDealer.com.
The knowledge sharing and networking opportunities for dealers were made possible by the support of 10 Summit Title Sponsors who were recognized during the dinner program.
Top Row: (l to r) Anne Salemo, Charter Software Inc; Kyle Frazier, Laforge Systems; Tim Davis, Farmers Edge; Debbie Naujokaitis, CDK Global; Jack Zemlicka, Precision Farming Dealer.
Front Row: (l to r) Anthony Montag, Montag Mfg.; Derek Allensworth, Yetter Farm Equipment; Jordan Tackett, MZB Technologies; Jayme Paquin, Reichhardt Electronic Innovations; Chris Arend, Equip IQ.
Western Equipment Dealers Assn. was also a title sponsor.
Dealers Who Attended 2017 Precision Farming Dealer Summit |
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4 Rivers Equipment, Greeley, Colo. |
Larson Farm & Lawn Inc., Springfield, Mo. |
