The last time the NADA Show was held in Dallas, in 1995, the city had recently hosted the 1994 World Cup semifinals, Ron Kirk was elected the city’s first Black mayor, and the Dallas Cowboys were on the road to winning Super Bowl XXX against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NADA Show is back in the “Big D,” and just like the auto industry, NADA Show is always evolving. This year there are new education and networking opportunities, world-class speakers and a premier Expo with over 700,000 square feet of state-of- the-art exhibit space. Another plus: the NADA Show Roundup at Gilley’s welcome reception the first night.
“This year’s theme is ‘Make a Splash!,’ ” says Danny Renshaw, NADA Show committee chairman. “And that’s exactly what this year’s Show is going to do for attendees, exhibitors, OEMs and all the other key players in the auto retail industry.”
NADA SHOW ROUNDUP AT GILLEY’S
Attendees can dust off their cowboy boots and grab their Stetsons for the NADA Show Welcome Reception at Gilley’s Dallas. This world-famous honky-tonk venue features seven customized areas, with gourmet food and top-shelf beverages.
Of course, attendees will have a chance to test their mettle on the renowned Gilley’s mechanical bull, made famous by the movie Urban Cowboy. Or they can try their luck at one of the Western blackjack tables, or take part in the country line dancing. Trick ropers, mariachi music, flamenco dancing ... it will all be here during this fun-filled evening.
The evening ends with an exclusive live performance by Grammy Award-winning country music star Brad Paisley. With luck, he’ll sing his 2007 hit, All I Wanted Was a Car.
TWO SUPER SESSIONS, DYNAMIC SPEAKERS
Because everything’s bigger in Texas, NADA Show 2023 will have not one but two Super Sessions. The first is The Future of Automotive Retail Roundtable, moderated by auto tech expert Steve Greenfield and featuring some of the nation’s most innovative dealers investing today in automotive technology start-ups.
The second Super Session is an expanded version of the most popular workshop sessions each year: Best of the Best from NADA 20 Groups. Held on “Sunday Funday” at the Show, this Super Session features NADA dealer management consultants and 20 Group moderators sharing their insight and latest best practices.
NADA Show always features industry experts and motivational speakers who engage, educate and entertain attendees—and this year is no exception. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will share lessons in leadership, negotiation and decision making, while Fox Television host and comedian Greg Gutfeld will join co-host Kat Timpf to discuss topical issues with his trademark humor. And Super Bowl champion, Pro Football Hall of Famer and University of Colorado Head Coach Deion Sanders sits down for an inspirational conversation about such subjects as overcoming adversity and his successful career.
EXPO AND EDUCATION
The top two reasons to attend NADA Show every year are the education offerings and the Expo.
Dealers can choose from 80-plus workshops and brainstorm with peers in any of the 24 Exchange sessions. They also can listen to industry experts share lessons on leadership, culture, team building and training at the three Distinguished Speaker Series sessions, with Toronto Raptors Superfan Nav Bhatia, social entrepreneur Joe DeLoss and former Green Beret Colby Jenkins. And nowhere but NADA Show can dealers hear from and get face time with top OEM execs during the dealer franchise meetings.
Other education offerings include the Dealer Learn and the EV Solutions Center, both on the Expo floor. These 20-minute TED-style talks allow attendees to connect with industry leaders in a casual setting.
This is the second appearance of Electric Avenue, an interactive exhibit showcasing the future of EVs. This year the focus is on women in the auto industry who are leading the EV revolution.
As for the popular Expo, more than 500 exhibitors will be meeting with attendees face-to-face to showcase thousands of the latest products and services for the dealership.
LIVE STAGE
Live Stage, a live broadcast studio located in the high- traffic lobby at the convention center, features more than 50 compelling, fast-paced segments of acclaimed speakers, OEMs and other auto retail pros in one-on-one interviews and panel discussions.
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NADA workshop previews
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Workforce diversity/inclusion
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Technician recruitment
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Electric vehicles
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Digital, TV and other advertising/marketing trends
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Latest regulations affecting dealerships
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First-ever “pitch competition,” with individual exhibitors competing to promote their products/services in less than two minutes before a panel of judges.
WOMEN DRIVING AUTO RETAIL EVENTS
The annual high-profile Women Driving Auto Retail (WDAR) event returns this year, offering opportunities to learn not only from those leading the charge in shaping auto retail, but also from trailblazers in other industries. Last year, there were a record 300-plus attendees.
This year, Stephanie Chung, WheelsUp founding chief growth officer and global brand ambassador, will talk about her experiences as a woman of color shattering the glass ceiling of aviation leadership. And Amy Nelson, founder and CEO of The Riveter, a community platform built by and for working women, will share advice on how to retain women employees in the auto retail industry.
WDAR also is sponsoring various Live Stage interviews and panel discussions each day, including the popular Women Driving Auto Retail video contest. This is the sixth year of the contest, which always garners dozens of inspirational videos from women relaying their career journeys and explaining why the auto industry is such a solid career path for women.
TIME DEALER OF THE YEAR
A perennial highlight of the Show is the prestigious TIME Dealer of the Year Award, considered the ultimate accomplishment of a dealer’s career. This year, 48 nominees were selected by their state and metro associations, based on exceptional performance in the dealership and distinguished community service. Four finalists were chosen for the 54th annual award, and the winner will be announced at the Main Stage general session on the first day of the Show.
NADA FOUNDATION/CANINE COMPANIONS AUCTION
Always a crowd favorite, the high-energy NADA Foundation auction returns to the Expo floor. Due to overwhelming interest last year, a LiveWire One electric motorcycle will again be auctioned at the BacklotCars booth. Proceeds benefit Canine Companions, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities. Attendees should see plenty of Canine Companion students (aka puppies!) walking the Expo floor.
SEE YOU THERE
That’s just a sampling of the various events, meetings and receptions occurring during NADA Show 2023. More information is available at nadashow.org and on the NADA Show mobile app.
1995 SHOW FUN FACTS
We had an EV!
It’s been 28 years since car dealers last rode into Texas for their big Show. At the time, GM designers and engineers were hard at work on the automaker’s first all-electric production vehicle: the 1996 EV1.
Super Bowl Superstar
Fox TV commentator Terry Bradshaw, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterbacked the NADA Show general session, giving a play-by-play of his career.
Oh, Brothers!
Psychologist, author and TV personality Dr. Joyce Brothers was a key speaker.
Hero Time
At the Inspirational Service, former AP Bureau Chief Terry Anderson spoke about his seven-year imprisonment by radicals in Lebanon.
Gayle Force
Popular singer Crystal Gayle wowed attendees at the annual Show finale.
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