Dealers are both incredibly resilient and incredibly optimistic. Their resiliency has been proven time and again this year at all levels of change. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we remained optimistic and hopeful that we would be able to gather together in person in New Orleans for NADA Show 2021. However, the coronavirus has been persistent, a second wave is predicted to coincide with flu season, and, as things stand, public health controls remain too restrictive to allow the Show to go forward in person. Recognizing these realities, we are transitioning to a virtual Show.

While I’m disappointed that we won’t be able to convene in person and that I won’t be able to greet you all with a handshake and smile, I know that we are going to have an unbelievably successful Show! This year’s event is more important than ever given the mass disruption brought to our businesses by the coronavirus. Never before have dealers faced business hardship and complexity concurrently with a health pandemic. We didn’t have a plan for such a scenario and, as a result, small and large dealers alike have had to navigate business operations in real time.  But we have done it, flawlessly.

We’ve all learned a great deal about operating in a fast-changing environment and the NADA Show is the right place for us to share best practices while refining the changes we’ve made to our businesses. All of the most up to date and key educational and networking components we have come to know and appreciate at NADA Show will be part of the program, including more than 60 workshops led by subject matter experts, franchise meetings with our OEM partners and an online NADA Expo.

This year, you can experience the whole Show wherever you want—at the dealership, at home or anywhere else you can connect virtually. The experience will feel different, but NADA Show will remain the Industry Event of Year. It always has been and always will be.

Additionally, without the travel cost to come to the Show in New Orleans, we hope more of your employees will be able to tune in and get all benefits the Show has to offer. Every department – from parts and service managers to the finance and sales teams – can access the tools to improve your store’s business, now and in the months to come.

The importance of this year’s NADA Show simply cannot be overstated. NADA’s first-ever virtual NADA Show 2021 is a vital time for dealers to come together and learn from the experts and from each other.  As I shared with you back in February at the NADA Show in Las Vegas: Stay Involved, Be Strong, and be damn proud YOU are the NADA.  For more information on the Show and to prepare for the virtual experience, visit nadashow.org.