When it comes to motivation, community and inspiration, America’s franchised auto and truck dealers are playing their cards right and winning big for their employees, communities and businesses.
And those winning traits were on full display at NADA Show 2024, as more than 23,000 dealers and managers, OEM execs, allied industry and international guests wrapped up four days of education, networking, dealer franchise make meetings and event programming at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Sunday, Feb. 4.
The last day of the Show took place just one week before Super Bowl LVIII takes place at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. So, fittingly enough, NADA Show’s Sunday Funday programming kicked off with an inspiring morning session featuring Hall of Fame quarterback and philanthropist Kurt Warner on the Main Stage.
Warner shared his uplifting life story and how all the obstacles he’s faced throughout his professional and personal lives have led him ultimately to unimaginable success and happiness both on and off the field.
“Keep on believing in who you are, and what you’re doing. Push through, take your own journey but always believe in what you can do,” said the father of seven, who went from a college football star to a grocery store stock boy before ultimately becoming a two-time NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXXIV champion. “No matter where you are at, you can find yourself where you want to be.”
Here are some more highlights from the final day:
Live Show Sessions Provide a Glimpse into What’s Ahead
The NADA Show educational programming continued all the way up to the end of the last day with workshops and Exchanges, the Dealer Learning Lab and the EV Solutions Center on the Expo floor, Dealer Franchise meetings, and Live Stage sessions.
Gary Gilchrist, 2024 NADA Chairman, sat down with NADA Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Jonathan Collegio to outline NADA’s priorities for 2024. The two biggest policy priorities, Gilchrist said, will be continuing to push back on the FTC vehicle shopping rule and the EPA’s proposed new emissions standards that would effectively require 67.5% of U.S. vehicle sales to be electric by 2032.
Gilchrist also talked about the importance of dealers being engaged with their state automobile associations.
“If we, as dealers, unify on the same message and understand it… we’ll have a better chance of coming together and knocking out… some, but not all” of these government regulations, he said. “We’re better in unity. Strength is better in numbers.”
New ATD Chairman Scott Pearson and ATD President Laura Perrota stepped up to the Live Stage on Sunday to give an outlook on what’s ahead for ATD this year.
Some upcoming priorities include battling emission regulations like the EPA’s new nitrous oxide rule and phase-three greenhouse gas rule, opposing the so-called “Right to Repair” rule and supporting legislation that will benefit America’s truck dealers, such as bills to repeal the Federal Excise Tax on trucks and legislation to fight rising catalytic converter thefts.
Finally, the Live Stage programming closed out on Sunday with a preview of upcoming NADA events, including NADA Show 2025, which will return to New Orleans, and the upcoming Auto Forum in New York City in March 26, 2024.
NADA Vice President, Meetings, Conventions & Expositions Melissa Wolpert and NADA Show 2025 Chairman John Mitchell teased some of the activities NADA Show 2025 attendees can expect, including a possible block party, parade, and headline entertainment. Mitchell said he’s already heard from exhibitors who want to double their presence next year, so be sure to lock in your spot when exhibitor registration opens for 2025!
That’s a Wrap
Just because the NADA Show is over, it doesn’t mean it ends. Many of your favorite sessions can be accessed and shared with others in your dealerships through the NADA member portal. Workshop recordings will be available in about a month, and students can apply for Continuing Education Credits for the workshops they attended. Save the date for January 23-26, 2025 (Thursday-Sunday) for NADA Show 2025 in New Orleans.
Catch up on all things NADA Show with our recaps of day one, day two and day three. And be sure to follow all things NADA Show on social media using the hashtag #NADASHOW on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
See you at NADA Show 2025 in New Orleans!
