Business Growth Sessions

Monday, September 28 & Tuesday, September 29

Machine Care Specialist

Speaker: Luke Sheppard, Sheppard & Company

Bo Davenport, Kubota

Time: Monday, September 28 at 1:00 PM

Hear directly from a Dealer Principal, a Machine Care Specialist, and KTC Field leadership as they share firsthand experiences, lessons learned, and measurable business results from Kubota's Machine Care Specialist Program. This interactive panel discussion will focus on real-world implementation, practical dealer value, and proven strategies that are helping dealerships strengthen customer relationships and grow aftersales business.

A Machine Care Specialist uses telematics and connected machine data to proactively support customers, identify maintenance opportunities, improve equipment uptime, and strengthen customer relationships. By helping customers stay ahead of maintenance needs, MCSs create additional value for equipment owners while generating new service and parts opportunities for the dealership.

Panelists will discuss what is working in their dealerships, challenges they encountered during implementation, and the impact the MCS role has had on customer engagement and business performance. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn directly from peers who have successfully implemented the program.

The discussion will be co-hosted by Bo Davenport, Division Service Manager for Kubota's Central Division, and Luke Sheppard, Founder and Principal of Sheppard & Company, who partnered with Kubota to develop the program and lead training for the pilot dealers.

The session will conclude with information on how dealers can learn more about the MCS Program and participate in future cohorts.

Succession with Options: Know your Dealership's Value, Your Paths for Transition, and How to Choose the Right One

Speaker: Pat Albero, Performance Brokerage Systems

Time: Monday, September 28 at 2:00 PM

Succession planning is a series of choices - not a single event. This session helps Kubota dealers understand what their dealership is worth, what drives that value, and how different transition paths impact family, employees, and long-term legacy.

We'll cover key options - family transfer, internal succession, third-party sale, and "wait-and-see" strategies - along with how tax and liquidity planning can shape outcomes.

Leave with a clear view of your dealership's value, your realistic options, and the steps to stay in control and maximize what your family keeps.

AI for Practical Leaders: How to Start, Where to Use It, and How to Get Your Team Moving

Speaker: Stacey McKibbin, Google

Time: Tuesday, September 29 at 9:00 AM

AI is quickly becoming less of a “technology topic” and more of a leadership topic.

The purpose of this session is to give leaders a simple, practical way to think about AI adoption without feeling overwhelmed by the tools, terminology, or pace of change.

Participants will walk away with:

  • A clearer understanding of how AI can support everyday work
  • Practical examples of tasks where AI can save time or improve quality
  • A simple starting point for personal use
  • Ideas for helping their teams experiment with AI
  • A few guardrails for responsible use inside the organization

Building Your Business with the Cattle Producer

Speaker: Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA)

Time: Tuesday, September 29 at 10:00 AM

The U.S. beef industry is navigating historically tight cattle supplies, strong beef demand, and record producer profitability, creating both challenges and opportunities for cattle producers and the businesses that serve them. [ncba.org], [agproud.com]

In this session, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall will share his outlook on the future of beef production, including herd rebuilding, technology adoption, sustainability, and the market forces shaping the next generation of ranching. [ncba.org], [ers.usda.gov]

Attendees will learn how dealerships can strengthen relationships with cattle producers by becoming active in local and state cattlemen’s associations, supporting industry events, and positioning themselves as trusted partners to the ranching community.

The discussion will also highlight retail growth opportunities across tractors, hay and forage equipment, UTVs, livestock handling equipment, precision technology, parts, service, and financing solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of beef producers.