LAS VEGAS -

I learned a lot playing high school football — gridiron lessons that transcend time and that even now at age 54, still ring true.

In addition to learning the basics — like blocking, tackling and the rules of the game — we learned a bigger-picture view and perspective.

A lesson that continues to resonate with me today is the broader game strategy: “Our team will do everything we can, and fight as hard was we must, through the first three quarters, to put our team in position to win the game in the fourth quarter.”

That’s what our industry has done this year. We’ve met challenges, had some breaks go our way, had some breaks go against us, a few bad calls, but collectively, we’re doing (and have done) everything we can to put our teams in position to win in the fourth quarter.

Well, here we are. We’re gathering together here at Used Car Week to learn, reunite and enjoy a homecoming of sorts for our industry.

Executives have traveled from all corners of the U.S. and Canada to join together for the good of the industry. We’ll celebrate award winners and we’ll recognize business excellence in retail, remarketing, repossessions and auto fi nance. We’ll see old friends and meet new ones.

We’ll learn. We’ll welcome a new group of executives into our circle from the private equity and investment community with the launch of the NAVIcon event this week. We’ll come together, we’ll have a chance to evaluate and work toward a new and exciting course for 2022. We’ll come together because we are, and always have been, better together.

We all have overcome a lot to be here for Used Car Week. Our gathering represents a new day, a new opportunity and a fresh start. This can be the chance for you and your business to close 2021 with a win, and set a course for victory in 2022.

Another lesson that sticks with me through the years is this truth: “You don’t accidentally win championships.”

Our industry is full of champions. Champions of every gender, race, color, religion, political party and perspective ready to put in the work and build the relationships needed to succeed at the highest level. Enjoy your time at Used Car Week, use this time wisely, build your network, your knowledge and your business. And I’ll leave you with one more tidbit of wise coaching advice: “Always do more than what’s expected.”

Thank you for joining us this week.