Message from the Chairman, Anthony Gordon – 1st Quarter 2025
Greetings Members and Supporters,
I want to personally thank you all for supporting me as the Chairman of this noble and great organization. Under my leadership, we will continue serving current and future Ford MDA dealers throughout the United States. Further, I look forward to carrying out the mission of our organization and leading the board through these interesting and challenging times ahead of us in the retail automobile industry.
The Board members that we currently have assisting me are highly engage in making our organization the best it can be. Our board members continue to chair our committees with Ford Motor Company and Ford Motor Credit Company. I also want to thank those Ford MDA members that are sitting on our committees for 2025. We have the following committees up and running:
- Sustain and Strengthen
- Liquidity
- Membership and Communications
- Candidate/Location
As we stand at the threshold of another transformative year, I am thrilled to extend my personal invitation to you for the Ford MDA 12th Annual Conference, taking place at the legendary Breakers Resort & Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. This year’s Theme: “United Voices, Accelerating Impact: The Power of Our Collective Roar” Under the visionary leadership of the board of directors. This year’s theme celebrates the strength of unity—where every voice fuel progress, and every member amplifies our shared mission.
Since our inception, Ford MDA has thrived because of you—the passionate dealers, partners, and advocates who turn individual ambition into collective progress. At The Breakers, we will gather not just to reflect on our journey, but to reenergize our commitment to amplifying that collective voice. With 150–175 attendees, this event is intentionally designed to foster meaningful connections, strategic dialogue, and actionable outcomes.
Why The Breakers?
Nestled along Florida’s sun-kissed Atlantic coast, The Breakers is more than a venue—it is an experience. Renowned for its effortless accessibility, the resort is a mere 15-minute drive from Palm Beach International Airport, ensuring stress-free arrival. Valet service, personalized check-in, and a dedicated Ford MDA concierge team will greet you, allowing you to transition seamlessly from travel to engagement.
The resort’s historic grandeur and modern amenities provide the perfect backdrop for our mid-sized gathering. Unlike sprawling conventions, our curated agenda thrives in The Breakers’ intimate yet elegant spaces:
- Oceanfront Ballrooms for keynote sessions led by industry titans and visionary speakers.
- Private Salons for breakout workshops focused on growth strategies, DEI initiatives, and emerging market trends.
- Networking Terraces overlooking the Atlantic, where collaboration flows as freely as the ocean breeze.
A Conference Built for Impact
This year’s agenda is meticulously crafted to balance inspiration with practicality. Highlights include:
- The Ford/Ford Credit Town Hall Panel: Hear from Senior Ford and Ford Credit executives. Providing us with strategies that turned challenges into opportunities for your dealership.
- Innovation Workshops: Interactive sessions where you will collaborate with peers to solve real-world challenges facing minority-owned dealerships.
- Legacy Awards Dinner: A gala evening celebrating members who have exemplified leadership, resilience, and community impact.
But this event is not just about what happens in session rooms. It is about the conversations that spark over sunrise yoga on the beach, the partnerships forged during sunset cocktail receptions, and the friendships deepened over gourmet dinners in The Breakers’ world-class restaurants.
Why Your Presence Matters
In a world where individuality often overshadows collaboration, Ford MDA stands apart. Our strength lies in our unity—the unwavering truth that “together, we are louder, stronger, and unstoppable.” This conference is where ideas converge, strategies align, and our collective voice takes center stage. Whether you are a longtime member or new to our ranks, your perspective is vital to shaping the roadmap for our future.
Join Us in Palm Beach
The Breakers’ blend of sophistication and approachability mirrors the spirit of Ford MDA: an aspirational yet grounded, historic yet forward-thinking association. Pack your boldest ideas, your most pressing questions, and your readiness to engage. Leave room in your suitcase for the inspiration, connections, and renewed purpose you will bring home.
As your Chairman, I promise you this: when we depart Palm Beach, we will carry more than memories. We will carry a reinvigorated mandate to drive change, disrupt norms, and ensure that every member’s voice echoes across the automotive landscape.
Let us unite. Let us ignite. Let us show the world what happens when 150 driven minds align as one.
With anticipation,
Anthony Gordon
Chairman, Ford Minority Dealers Association
PS Do not forget your business cards, your passion—and a pair of sunglasses. The Florida sun shines brightly, but the future we will build together shines even brighter.
