NADA Show 2023 galloped ahead full-speed into its third day as tens of thousands of dealers and managers, OEM execs, allied industry and international guests attended sessions, workshops and events carefully designed to help them learn, motivate, collaborate and “Make a Splash” back home at their dealerships.
Learning from Experts and Peers
Each year, NADA’s best-in-the-industry educational programming is where NADA Show attendees learn the latest strategies and emerging trends on more than 65 topics and 100-plus workshop and education sessions over the course of four days.
From workshops to the Exchange to the Dealer Learning Lab and the EV Solutions Center on the Expo floor, NADA Show education is multifaceted, interactive and customizable by subject track.
For the Exchanges, NADA members and NADA Show attendees choose the topics they would like to see discussed in the popular peer-to-peer learning sessions collectively. These small, moderated discussions feature brainstorming and problem-solving among auto industry peers on a range of topics – from attracting and hiring technicians to connecting with customers.
NADA Show workshops feature NADA instructors and industry leaders who provide lessons on leadership, increasing leads and sales, cyber risks and scams to look out for, digital marketing, hiring diverse talent, and so much more.
There was no shortage of knowledge sharing on the Live Stage with plenty of super-fast, fun sessions on Saturday, including the ever-popular NADA Economic Outlook featuring NADA Chief Economist Patrick Manzi, auto industry trends that will impact the dealership of the future, what women car buyers want in EVs, and an exclusive introduction to the first-ever NADA Show Pitch Competition winner, 1Micro Key Management.
The Live Stage also provided the backdrop for one of NADA Show’s most popular events – the announcement of the winner of the annual Women Driving Auto Retail Video Contest winner. For the first time in the contest’s six-year history, it was a tie with two winning video entries. Alicia Rivera of Trophy Nissan of Dallas, Texas, and Leslie Jefferson, Pohanka of Salisbury, Md.
New NADA Chairman Geoffrey Pohanka - “Don’t Be Like Everyone Else”
The Pohanka family has a long history with NADA. In fact, both the auto dealer family and the organization started around the same time and in the same place — Washington, D.C. Now, 2023 NADA Chairman Geoffrey Pohanka is continuing a family tradition of advocacy, engagement and leadership in the association. In fact, Geoffrey’s father, John was NADA chairman in 1976.
On Saturday afternoon, Geoffrey Pohanka stepped onto the Main Stage as the first third-generation auto dealer to take on the NADA chairmanship and gave his first remarks to the dealer members. “I’m committed to, and I will work to preserve, promote and protect our franchise system.”
Pohanka’s session was followed by a wide-ranging, off-the-cuff and lively discussion between Fox TV personality Greg Gutfeld and special guest, Kat Timpf.
Charity at the Center of NADA Show
The generosity of NADA Show attendees was once again on full display as at the annual live auction, sponsored this year by BacklotCars to benefit the NADA Foundation and Canine Companions for Independence, which provides highly trained assistance dogs for children, adults and veterans with disabilities. $183,000 was raised at the auction of an all-electric, Harley Davidson LiveWire motorcycle, donated by BacklotCars.
Speaking of charity, the NADA Foundation’s Workforce initiative received two generous donations on the Live Stage on Saturday. Jeff Strickland, Senior Vice President, Assurant Dealer Services & Strategic Accounts, announced a $30,000 donation from Assurant Foundation, and Garrison Hudkins, President of National Auto Auction Association (NAAA), presented a check for $75,000 to NADA Foundation Chairwoman, Annette Sykora.
Another great charitable organization was at NADA Show this week: Vehicles for Change. Watch the video below to learn more about this nonprofit organization that has awarded 6,900 cars to low-income families since 1999.
Look Ahead to Day 4
We’ve saved the best for last and you don't miss the last day of the Show, Sunday Funday! The NADA Show action kicks off with an inspirational session on the Main Stage by Pro Football Hall of Famer, Super Bowl Champion and University of Colorado Boulder Head Football Coach Deion Sanders at 9:00am.
The Best of the Best Ideas From NADA 20 Groups Super Session will also take place on Sunday Funday and it’s one last day of workshops and Exchanges, Live Stage sessions, and Dealer Franchise meetings with Hyundai and Mitsubishi. Check the NADA Show app for locations and times.
Catch up on all things NADA Show with our recaps of day one and day two.
Don’t forget: we’ve got livestream coverage all weekend of the Live Stage.
Stay up to date on sessions, recaps, photos and videos with our official daily show recaps and be sure to follow all things NADA Show on social media using the hashtag #NADASHOW on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more stories like this, bookmark www.NADAheadlines.org as a favorite in the browser of your choice and subscribe to our newsletter here:
