Drive To Thrive: LS Tractor’s 2024 National Dealer Meeting
Published on November 20th, 2024 by Kimberly Steele
They say everything is bigger in Texas. That proved to be true as LS Tractor recently hosted one of its largest annual National Dealer Meetings at the Omni Las Colinas Resort in Irving, Texas. The meeting was held November 3rd – 5th 2024 and was a huge success where we welcomed over 400 attendees and 158 tractor dealerships from the US and Canada. Each year, LS Tractor generates an event where all dealers are able to join together and mingle with one another, their business managers, and members of the LS Tractor staff. This gives everyone an opportunity to network, ask questions and share new plans with dealers for the next year. The 2024 meeting shifted gears this year to create more of a sales meeting approach. This has been a tough year for many businesses, and the new VP of Sales, John Grooms, wanted to encourage and educate everyone on his plans for increasing sales in the upcoming year. The theme this year, “LS’s Drive to Thrive”, was all about giving our dealers the playbook to their success in 2025.
On Sunday, dealers arrived at the Omni Resort near Dallas with excitement and enthusiasm. Participants were greeted when they arrived by an LS Tractor display that not only featured several blue LS Tractors, but also one of our special edition LS Mossy Oak Gamekeepers camouflage tractors!
Dealers spent the afternoon registering, checking in and getting acquainted with the beautiful venue. That evening there was a welcome reception in the downstairs ballroom where networking and social time occurred. Guests were able to relax and enjoy the breeze on the outside porch overlooking Lake Carolyn. Dealers mingled with LS staff and each other as they relished delicious Texas brisket and an open bar at the Lakehouse Waterfront Lounge.
Monday proved to be a full and busy day for all participants. After breakfast, dealers gathered for a general session in the upstairs ballroom. LS Team Members from upper management such as John Grooms and Mr. Shin, LS Mtron CEO, spoke to dealers about LS Tractor’s and dealers’ successes in 2024. Rich Hollady, LS Tractor Director of Marketing said “It was a pleasure to host not only our US and Canadian dealers, but to also have the support of our South Korean Global CEO, Mr. Shin.” Everyone left the morning meeting feeling optimistic about growth in 2025.
After the speeches, dealers attended various break-out sessions in smaller classrooms where different departments presented information about warranties, services, parts, etc. Dealers enjoyed participating in the break-out sessions and learning more about the company. Lunch was enjoyed in between the sessions, and dealers were also able to browse the vendor hall. Many LS Vendors featured their products such as tires, signs, LS merchandise and even financial groups.
After a long, well-deserved break, conference participants enjoyed a tasty dinner serving steak and chicken in the upstairs ballroom. That evening it was a pleasure to highlight select dealerships during an awards ceremony. All LS Tractor management was on the stage and were delighted to take photos with each awarded dealer(s). We congratulate and continue to celebrate the following dealerships that were highlighted at the event Monday evening:
Highest Retail: Village Tractor of Wisconsin
New Dealer Highest Retail: Lang Equipment of Wisconsin
Highest Growth in Retail: Equipment Outlet of Georgia
Highest Parts Sales: Diamond R Equipment, LLC of Missouri
Highest Market Share: Fuller Sales and Services of Wisconsin
Excellent Service Recognition: Cobb’s Triangle Tractor of Florida
Rookie of the Year: Big Tex Tractor Company of Texas
The last day of the event was a half-day on Tuesday. Dealers were able to continue meeting with vendors in the vendor hall, attend additional break-out sessions, and/or work on order writing. This year, dealers were encouraged to place orders at the show for a discount. Dealers were energized as they prepared for their journey home.
We thoroughly enjoyed the 2024 Dealer Meeting and are eager to see our dealers “Drive to Thrive” in 2025. There was tremendous value in the conversations, networking, and learning that was interchanged between LS Dealers and LS Staff as we prepare to move forward into the new year. We are greatly appreciative of all who ventured to Texas with us to enhance and improve this business. This event “had massive success with the most product orders ever received in one show”, Hollady stated following the meeting. This is a sign of progress for all involved with this company, and we are excited to see what the future brings!
