26 • February 2025 • Powersports Business www . PowersportsBusiness . com
ACCELERATE
ACCELERATE RECAP
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23
The stellar keynote session was followed by the engaging Women in the Power Trades Panel , moderated by Wanda Kenton Smith . Panelists included Vicki Norman of Digital Throttle , Nancy Cueroni of the National Marine Distributors Association and Outdoor Power Equipment and Engine Service Association and Montana Bolin of Hubbard Powersports . The panelists discussed gender challenges and general professional advice , mentorship and management strategies .
“ Don ’ t be scared to get out of your comfort-zone . That has been a resounding theme here ,” says Norman . She shared tips about how to grow as a professional and what mistakes to avoid . Cueroni discussed the value of mentorship and encouraged dealers to implement a mentorship program within their dealership to create a culture of development and increase employee satisfaction . Bolin shared the obstacles that younger leaders may face and how to overcome these .
“ You can be confident , and you can be proud of what you know , but you have to be humble ,” Bolin says , and highlighted how relating to customers and employees benefits both relationships . “ You can ’ t change other people , but you can change how you approach them and the situation . In management , change yourself to work to their strengths .”
“ Being in a room full of leaders , I feel like I ’ m leaving as a leader ,” says Scarlett Benchley , vice president of Skelton ’ s Motorsports . “ For me personally , it resonated to not be so insecure with myself as a woman in the powersports industry and really owning and communicating my knowledge when speaking to customers . The insight from everybody was so beneficial .”
The last session of the day , the Dealership Evolution and Generational Transfer Panel moderated by Rob Greenwald , was especially engaging . Panelists included Sam Nehme of Broward Motorsports , Jesse Amato of Hanover Powersports , Ken Fancher of APEK Holdings and Montana Bolin of Hubbard Powersports .
Attendees listened to the panelists converse about business evolution , consumers ’ “ instant gratification ” mindset , adaptability and challenges of cultivating the youth . Nehme , who operates multiple locations , expressed the importance of a shared culture within the dealership and how this benefits employees and customers . Bolin discussed the importance of making leadership transitions transparent . Amato recommended leveraging new and old-school practices and Francher encouraged younger leaders to use external resources to navigate generational leadership changes .
Harrison Herron , finance and insurance manager , Foothills Motorsports says , “ It was an exhilarating experience in the NASCAR Hall Of Fame . It ’ s always awesome to gather with like-minded professionals in the industry . I learned a lot of new things about a lot of new business strategies in 2025 and moving forward . It ’ s really interesting to see what direction dealers are going . It ' s nice to continue to build connections in an ever-growing industry that always needs to adapt .”
“ It ’ s a great opportunity to put a face with names with people I ’ ve been working with for years ,” says Jonathan Waters , president and CEO of Redline Powersports .
Economist extraordinaire , Dr . Elliot Eisenberg was not only informative but also entertaining .
PSB ’ s Honors Award Winners pose for one last photo !
Sam Nehme of Broward Motorsports contributed key thoughts on the Generational Transfer panel .
Attendees raved about the conference speakers and presentations and were fully engaged despite some chilly room temperatures .