8 • March 2024 • Powersports Business

The National Powersports Dealers Association ( NPDA ) has added a well-respected industry expert with decades of experience to the growing organization .

Dave McMahon , whose powersports industry experience runs the gamut from trade media to marketing and education to events , is joining the NPDA as the non-profit group prepares to launch a powersports industry-focused education platform .

The organization has been eyeing such a concept since its founding in May 2021 , with board members spending hundreds of hours researching partners and programs . The goal is to launch the NPDA Education Initiative sometime in early 2024 .

In the past year , the NPDA grew dealer membership by more than 50 percent and surpassed the 400−dealer mark ; it recently earned true “ National ” status by adding a dealership in Hawaii , giving the group membership in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico .

Membership is comprised of Harley- Davidson and metric powersports dealers and independent ( non-franchised ) shops . The board of directors of 12 men and three women are dealers from Alaska to Virginia and Ohio to Texas .

McMahon has enjoyed a 12−year career in powersports , with highlights that include managing and leading dealer-facing training seminars , webinars and events , serving as editor-in-chief and brand content director in the trade press and enhancing dealer communications and brand awareness as OEM channel marketing manager .

McMahon ’ s addition to the NPDA brings with it familiarity when it comes to elevating the dealer and industry partner business experience .

“ It feels like I ’ m coming home , being able to connect and engage with NPDA members in order to help them grow their business ,” McMahon says . “ Thanks to the encouragement of several dealers that I respect and

May your business thrive and your engines roar with success

In the intricate tapestry of powersports dealership operations , the quest for efficiency often leads us to the concept of integration . If we were to ask Google about it , it might define integration as " To combine things : To combine two or more things to make something more effective ." Now , let ' s dive into the realm of Lightspeed , where integration is not just a buzzword but a strategic powerhouse that enhances your dealership ' s capabilities .

By Jeremy Johnson

EXPERT INSIGHTS INTO LIGHTSPEED ' S POWERSPORTS INTEGRATIONS :

As someone deeply embedded in the world of Lightspeed , my primary role involves building connections between OEMs , Distributors , and various 3rd parties within the powersports industry . Picture this as the technological harmonization of business processes , where my mission is to align external systems with Lightspeed ' s capabilities , ensuring your daily operations are as smooth as a finely tuned engine . Now , let ' s explore Lightspeed ' s expertise in the realm of powersports integrations .

STREAMLINING WITH VIN DECODING :

Consider the powersports world and the significance of VIN decoding . We ' ve engineered integrations with major OEMs , turning the VIN entry process of these seventeen digits into a streamlined operation . With a push of a button , our API ( Application Programming Interface ) communicates in real-time , pulling back essential details like Year , Make , and Model . This integration isn ' t magic ; it ' s the seamless automation that spares you the manual entry hassles . Imagine typing a VIN into Lightspeed when you ’ re doing inventory or a new Repair Order ( RO ), and boom , you get important things like warranty dates , service alerts , and recalls . It ' s all about simplifying the data entry process in Lightspeed .

A LOOK AT LIGHTSPEED ' S POWERSPORTS INTEGRATION TOOLBOX :

For a comprehensive list of our integrations tailored for the powersports industry , visit our " Partners " page at LightspeedDMS . com . Powersports integrations are not one-size-fits-all ; they vary between OEMs , each offering a unique set of tools to enhance efficiency . Imagine effortlessly registering unit warranties by inputting the Lightspeed finalized deal number . Submitting a warranty claim becomes a breeze with integrated solutions that allow the submission of entire Repair Orders ( ROs ), sparing you from manual data entry . Our collaboration with a major distributor even enables the direct import of stocking order Purchase Orders ( POs ) into Lightspeed . Say goodbye to repetitive data entry tasks – the time-saving capabilities are real . Say goodbye to repetitive data entry tasks – the time-saving capabilities are real .

LIGHTSPEED : MORE THAN A POWERSPORTS DATA HUB :

Lightspeed isn ' t just focused on creating OEM and manufacturer portals or Enterprise Resource Planning ( ERP ) systems in the powersports industry . Our forte lies in the art of integration . We aim to seamlessly collaborate with external systems , ensuring your daily processes are not only faster but also more accurate . Bid farewell to redundant tasks , and let Lightspeed be your technological ally , freeing you to spend more time on powersports passions and less on administrative tasks .

THE EVOLVING LANDSCAPE OF POWERSPORTS INTEGRATIONS :

As technology advances and the powersports industry evolves , Lightspeed remains at the forefront of innovation . Our dedicated team is continually working on new integrations , ensuring that your dealership stays ahead of the curve . While the intricacies of VIN decoding are just one facet of our capabilities , a myriad of other tools awaits . From simplifying unit warranty registrations to streamlining warranty claims , Lightspeed is on a mission to make your powersports dealership operations more efficient .

In the expansive universe of powersports , Lightspeed ' s integrations are the gears that make your dealership run smoothly . Embrace the efficiency , embrace the ease , and let Lightspeed be your guide in the ever-evolving landscape of powersports operations . Just because “ it ’ s what you have always done ” doesn ' t guarantee it ' s the optimal method . Are you prepared to enhance your business with effortless OEM Integration ? Uncover a space where your systems seamlessly collaborate for peak performance . After all , who said powersports business can ' t be both productive and engaging ? As you consider your journey in the realm of Lightspeed , remember that innovation is not just about efficiency ; it ' s about finding joy in the process . Let Lightspeed be your partner in this technological adventure , where every integration is a powerful tool , and every tool is a step toward mastery in the powersports domain .

Jeremy Johnson is a Senior Manager of OEM and Business Development for Lightspeed . Jeremy is a powersports industry expert with over two decades of experience , resides in northern Minnesota with his wife , two kids and two dogs . Balancing a successful career with a love for outdoor sports , Jeremy is an avid traveler who cherishes family life and embraces adventure .

DAVE McMAHON

admire , joining the highly passionate team at the NPDA is an ideal next step for me . As we know , ongoing education comes in a variety of forms and formats , and we ’ ll be delivering all of them to contribute to the long-term growth of dealers and their teams .”

“ Mention the name ‘ Dave McMahon ’ to someone in this industry , and it is likely they not only know Dave but hold him in high regard ,” says Bob Althoff , chairman of the NPDA . “ Dave has great connections , and we are excited by the prospect of what his joining our team can mean for our continued success .”

This is particularly the case with the upcoming launch of the NPDA ’ s Education programming , according to Bob Kee , vice chairman of the NPDA and head of the group ’ s Education Committee .

“ This is true building-block work being done for this organization ,” Kee shares . “ Education is at the heart of dealer success , and the NPDA stands ready to provide the best tools to help our members achieve unsurpassed growth and profitability .”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

days , a decrease from the previous year when it was in Orlando .

2018 - Over 2,500 dealers made the trip to Las Vegas for AIMExpo in 2018 , with representation from all 50 states and more than 50 different countries . And 505 exhibiting companies filled the show floor to capacity and took advantage of the inaugural Dealer Summit .

2019 - The last AIMExpo in Columbus had 370 exhibitors and 2,314 dealers / buyers , according to show management . But the show also included 744 industry professionals , which used to be lumped together with dealers . 2020−2021 - cancelled . 2023 - After a hiatus due to Covid−19 , AIMExpo returned to Las Vegas for the first trade-only event in its history . With the country barely out of pandemic protocols , the show had 179 exhibitors and 1,371 dealers from 704 unique retailers .

2024 - With another year to hype the new trade-only format in Las Vegas , 2023 saw a significant increase in exhibitors and dealers compared to the previous year . There were 1,908 dealers representing 903 dealerships ( a 14 % increase over ‘ 23 ).