The Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association (GLANCDA) hosted several notable events this past spring, drawing significant participation from the local automotive community. Highlighting the season was a two-part high school automotive student technician competition, which saw 18 high schools from across Los Angeles County compete. The written portion of the competition took place in late March at Longo Toyota, where students demonstrated their theoretical knowledge. The hands-on portion followed in April at Cerritos College, challenging students to apply their skills in practical scenarios. This competition showcased the impressive talents of young aspiring technicians and underscored GLANCDA’s commitment to fostering the next generation of automotive professionals.
In conjunction with these events, GLANCDA held its annual member meeting and luncheon in late March, hosted at the Universal Sheraton. The gathering attracted nearly 300 attendees, including representatives from dealerships throughout the county. This event served as a significant networking and informational opportunity for industry professionals.
One of the highlights of the luncheon was the recognition of LA Car Guy Dealer Mike Sullivan, who received the prestigious Lifetime Service Award. This honor celebrated Sullivan’s enduring contributions to the automotive industry and his community. Additionally, the luncheon featured a keynote address by Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries. His inspiring speech focused on themes of social justice, community building and the importance of providing opportunities for at-risk youth, aligning with GLANCDA’s values of community support and engagement.
Additionally, GLANCDA continued its workforce development efforts by awarding grants to Cerritos College and Citrus College Automotive programs. These grants helped fund a toolbox and tools for the top students in their graduating classes. GLANCDA will continue this support throughout the year at other automotive programs throughout the county.
GLANCDA has also been at work identifying local elected officials campaigning for office who embrace the values and vision that GLANCDA believes will best serve the entire membership. Participating in roundtable discussions and attending informational fundraisers are routine parts of this process. Continuing to advocate with current state and local legislators on policy matters that impact dealers is the work at hand. In early June, GLANCDA was represented as part of a delegation of business leaders with an organization called BizFed. This group spent two days in Sacramento and focused on some top-of-mind issues such as PAGA and CEQA reform, Measure HLA, and supporting and opposing other bills that impact the business community.
Overall, GLANCDA’s spring events not only celebrated industry achievements and milestones but also underscored the importance of education, community involvement and professional excellence in the automotive sector.
Take a look at the pictures on the following pages for a glimpse of the great quarter we’ve had!
