Every month in this column, we try to bring you helpful tips on a variety of automotive topics. This month, though, we thought it might be useful to explain the mission, function and activities of the GMADA, the Greater Metropolitan Automobile Dealers Association of Minnesota.
Simply stated, our organization is a voluntary association made up of the majority (more than 130) of new car and truck dealerships that are located in the greater Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area.
Our organization's purpose is to assist and protect its members in the countless number of situations where they may be ineffective individually but where united action is needed to bring about desirable results.
As a part of that purpose, the GMADA gets involved in a wide array of activities that also benefit area consumers. For example, every March, the GMADA sponsors and coordinates the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Auto Show, which is attended by thousands of people and is the largest event held in the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Our association also helps to advance automotive-related employment and general education for dealership employees or families of those employees. GMADA annually awards 50 college scholarships of $2,000 each to employees of GMADA dealerships or sons or daughters of those employees. Plus, the GMADA assists unemployed people in finding open positions at dealerships. Dealerships also contact the GMADA office looking for qualified people for many of their openings.
Finally, the GMADA supports local dealerships with a wide range of other benefits and programs as well as works closely with the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association and the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have regarding the GMADA. Thank you.
