NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 25, 2025 — One of New Orleans' trademark mottos is “laissez les bons temps rouler”—or “let the good times roll”—and attendees definitely kept the good times rolling on day three of NADA Show 2025. Dealers and managers, OEM execs, allied industry and international guests participated in workshops and other educational sessions, as well as one-on-one exhibitor meetings and many other events designed to help dealerships run as effectively and efficiently as possible.
But first, coffee and jokes.
Starting the Day with Some Laughs
Comedian, actor and impressionist Frank Caliendo got the day started with a lively opening session on Main Stage. Caliendo had the auditorium roaring with laughter with his uncanny comedic impersonations of political and cultural figures, including Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Charles Barkley and Morgan Freeman.
Raymond Farabaugh, president of D-Patrick Inc. in Evansville, Ind., was named the 2025 TIME Dealer of the Year. The award, sponsored by Ally Financial, celebrates franchised new-car dealers for exceptional business performance and outstanding community service.
Farabaugh’s auto group invests hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in direct contributions and sponsorships, supporting an array of local organizations such as the Boone County Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club of Evansville, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ohio Valley, Special Olympics Indiana, Walk to End Alzheimer's Southwest Indiana, and many more.
Incoming NADA 2025 Chairman Tom Castriota gave his inaugural address, promising to draw on lessons learned from 35 years in military service. “My decades in the military taught me the simplest definition of service is being unselfish,” he said.
Castriota, owner of Castriota Chevrolet, Inc., in Hudson, Fla., made a point of not only honoring military veterans in the audience, but also making everyone in the audience part of the “NADA mission” by handing out custom-made Challenge Coins that highlighted the strength of—and dedication to—the franchise dealer network.
“You are part of that NADA mission and I promise you that NADA will be accountable to you, and I’m asking fellow dealers to be accountable to NADA and each other,” Castriota said. “A strong franchise system is key to a strong America.”
Castriota also emphasized the many positive impacts of dealers on their communities, including donating some $500 million to local charities each year. “Large companies can write a check, but none can do it like the thousands of local dealers who live in, work for, and care about their communities,” Castriota said.
Philanthropy with Purpose
On Friday, NADA announced the donation of a brand-new Ram 3500 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana. The heavy-duty pickup truck, purchased from Hebert’s Town & Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Shreveport, La., will be used to support the food bank’s Makin’ Groceries Mobile Market, a traveling grocery store selling fresh produce, proteins, dairy and dry goods at affordable prices in neighborhoods identified as food deserts.
On Saturday, there was plenty more philanthropy. Assurant Dealer Services continued its annual tradition of donating to the NADA Foundation’s Workforce Initiative, presenting a check for $30,000 to NADA Foundation Chairwoman Annette Sykora on the Live Stage.
Later on Live Stage: Vehicles for Change, which helps low-income individuals obtain a vehicle. Marty Schwartz, president of Vehicles for Change, noted how 8,000 vehicles so far have been donated, refurbished and awarded to individuals and families since the program began in 1999. Thanks to a partnership with NADA, Vehicles for Change is now connected with local dealers who wish to donate vehicles—including Hebert’s Town & Country Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, which is also awarding a vehicle to a deserving family in Shreveport, La., next month.
Schwartz was joined by Adrianna Boyer, who was one of four families to receive vehicles at NADA headquarters last March. Boyer expressed her appreciation for her Kia Rio, which was donated by Carter Myers Automotive Group, Charlottesville, Va. In addition to sourcing the donated vehicles, the NADA Foundation donated $5,000 per vehicle to cover associated costs, including refurbishing and making necessary repairs.
Then there was the annual—and always crowd-pleasing—NADA Foundation Canine Companions charity auction, which showcased adorable assistance dogs at the OpenLane booth on the Expo Floor. Bids were fast and furious for a chance to take home a once-in-a-lifetime Masters Golf Tournament Experience. In the end, this year’s auction raised an impressive $88,335 for Canine Companions for Independence, which provides highly trained assistance dogs for children, adults and veterans with disabilities.
Education for All
Day three also was full of collaboration, learning and skill building with more workshops, exchange sessions, Dealer Learning Lab mini-sessions and dealer franchise meetings throughout the day.
At Saturday’s Spotlight Session, Michael Dunne, CEO of Dunne Insights, explored how China's meteoric rise as an automotive manufacturing powerhouse has reshaped the global industry.
Education on the Expo floor continued with Ask the Expert and EV Power Pit sessions, as well as numerous Live Stage presentations. Live Stage topics included the new administration and its impact on dealers, blending artificial intelligence and personnel, the benefits of the NADAVault secured-data platform and lessons in longevity from NADA Century Award winner, Kings Ford, which has been selling cars in Ohio since 1915.
Look Ahead to Day 4
They don’t call it Sunday Funday for nothing. Duke University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) gets the ball rolling with a rousing pep talk on “Victory Through Teamwork and Leadership” on Main Stage at 8:45am.
Tomorrow’s 90-minute Super Session is all about fixed ops, with five NADA Academy instructors sharing innovative and time-tested tips to boost profits, manage inventory, energize staff and retain customers. Attendees also get the chance to compete for free tuition.
Be sure to stop by any of the NADA Show lounges, including the Dealer Lounge, International Visitors Lounge, Relaxation Zone or NOLA Sips Bar & Lounge where you can enjoy local brews and grab a bite to eat.
Didn’t make it to New Orleans this year? Here’s a recap of day two to help you catch up, and we’ve also got live coverage from NADA Live Stage throughout the weekend.
Be sure to follow all things NADA Show on social media using hashtag #NADASHOW on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
