Despite – or perhaps because of – the difficult economic climate, Australia's retail automotive dealers turned out in force for the annual Australian Automobile Dealers Association (AADA) National Dealer Convention, held at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt hotel last weekend.

In all, 568 delegates attended the conference, the second highest total in more than two decades of the event.

As always, the convention was a stimulating mix of professional seminars and workshops, trade exhibits, guest speakers and entertainment. The highlight was the MotorOne Breakfast guest speaker Darren Flanagan, the explosives expert who saved the lives of Beaconsfield miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell. There was not a dry eye in the house during Mr Flanagan's emotive and emotional description of his nerve-jangling attempts to carefully blast his way a metre at a time through rock to reach the two men trapped nearly one kilometre underground. With every low-impact explosion he feared he might kill them, and he conveyed that tension perfectly to a captivated audience.

Ford Motor Company Australia President and CEO, Marin Burela, gave the keynote address, emphasising the need for manufacturers and dealers to work together to meet the challenges facing them both.

Delegates attended seminars on leadership, management, sales techniques and important changes to the Trade Practices Act affecting pricing and advertising, presented by a quality line-up of local and international speakers.

Guest speakers, AFL legend Kevin Sheedy (Trading Post & Carshowroom Luncheon) and comediennes Libby Gorr (Castrol Luncheon) and Tracy Bartram (DMS Partners Breakfast), also made a great impression, and as usual the entertainment package was first class, from the amazing (and totally baffling) quick-change artists Soul Mystique, to Aussie music legends Darryl Cotton and Wendy Stapleton, crooner Bob Valentine and Kylie Minogue tribute act the 100% Kylie Show who performed at the carsales.com.au Grand Finale Dinner.

Other AADA Convention sponsors included Pentana Solutions, Carsguide.com.au, Herald Sun, MTAA Superannuation Fund, Glass's Information Services, The Age, Drive.com.au, Swann Insurance and St George Auto Finance.

AADA executive director Michael Delaney said the strong attendance and dedication of delegates – many of whom attended every event from 7am breakfasts to late night networking opportunities, and backed up four days in a row – reflected the industry's commitment, professionalism and desire to reach and maintain high standards.