Since its inception, NADA has almost always held an annual membership meeting. In 1917, 138 auto dealers from the fledgling new industry gathered in Chicago for NADA’s first convention.
It did not take long for the NADA Show to become the Auto Industry Event of the Year. Just six years later, the 1924 convention had a record 2,000 attendees. Today, over 10,000 dealerships are represented at NADA Show.
Over its 106-year history, NADA has only canceled the convention one time—during World War II. Not even a global pandemic could stop the Show—the wildly successful 2021 NADA Show was held virtually.
The fact is: If you’re in the auto industry and you’re not at NADA Show, you are missing out on four days of outstanding networking, world-class speakers and education, franchise meetings, a premier marketplace, exclusive events and parties, and so much more.
If you know, you know. If not, it’s time to get busy and register.
More reasons to attend NADA Show:
Amazing Cities
Each year, NADA Show takes over an entire city and transforms it into an auto industry mecca. Las Vegas, New Orleans, San Francisco, Orlando have been just a few of the NADA Show host cities.
In fact, NADA Show is such a big event that it has even taken over an NFL arena—the 1977 convention was the first trade show ever held in the New Orleans Superdome.
This year’s host city, Dallas, is gearing up to be one for the books with exciting events taking place throughout the metroplex at famous venues as well as the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center right in downtown Dallas.
Events and Parties
Speaking of events, NADA Show has thrown some premier welcoming parties, including the NADA100 Carnival at Mardi Gras World in New Orleans in 2017, the Valentine’s Day-themed opening reception at XS Nightclub at the Encore in Las Vegas in 2020 and the once-in-a-lifetime event at the newly completed home of the Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium in 2022.
This year’s welcoming reception—the Roundup at Gilley’s in Dallas—will feature live music and line dancing, gourmet food and top-shelf beverages and a special performance by Grammy Award-winning country music star Brad Paisley.
Exclusive Speakers
More than 400 speakers and entertainers have taken to the NADA Show podium over the years, including seven former or future U.S. presidents, three former British Prime Ministers and one member of royalty (Queen Noor of Jordan). That’s in addition to nearly every CEO of every major auto manufacturer, including Chrysler’s Lee Iacocca, who appeared four times. But the record holder for the most appearances at NADA Show is TV star Art Linkletter, who appeared six times.
Actors, comedians, astronauts and politicians of every level and each political party have spoken at NADA Show. In fact, former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton appeared together at the 2009 convention in New Orleans. Lyndon B. Johnson spoke in 1962, Ronald Reagan in 1968 and George W. Bush in 2012. Future Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered the keynote at the 2014 convention in New Orleans.
Sports stars are particularly popular at NADA Show. Two-time Super Bowl Champion Peyton Manning, five-time national championship head football coach at the University of Alabama Nick Saban, Brazilian auto racing driver Hélio Castroneves are just a few of the sports superstars who have spoken at NADA Show. This year, Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer Deion Sanders will speak on the Main Stage on Sunday.
Innovative Exhibitors
NADA Show’s Expo is the leading marketplace of innovations and solutions for auto dealerships and it just gets better every year. The first NADA Expo was held in 1948 with 85 exhibitors in 120 booths and 36,000 square feet. This year, the NADA Expo includes more than 500 exhibitors in 700,000 square feet of space. The NADA Expo is the place where business gets done, with 67 percent of attendees visiting a whopping 20 or more booths and 70 percent of attendees saying they plan to purchase products or services in the coming year. Plus, education on the Expo floor returns this year, with the Dealer Learning Lab and the EV Solutions Center, giving attendees even more chances to engage, discover and connect with industry leaders in a casual yet fast-paced setting.
Education and Connection
With 80-plus workshops, 24 exchange sessions, two Super Sessions, industry experts discussing hot topics on the Live Stage and a multi-faceted, interactive and customizable program organized by subject track, NADA Show has plenty of opportunities to learn, develop skills, network with new friends and grow your business. From traditional lecture-style to a more interactive workshop NADA Show 2023 has something for everyone, all in one place.
