From dealer-focused workshops and sessions to inspirational discussions around performance, new technology products and conversations, and countless networking opportunities, the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show 2018 is as exciting, energetic and informative as it has ever been.
The three-day event, which takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Nevada between March 23-25, continues to capture the interest of dealers and suppliers who serve the automotive industry.
For many, this is their fourth, fifth and even 20th NADA Show, as most attend to better understand what’s going on in the market, especially when it comes to technology and its most recent developments. However, the convention is also known for the networking opportunities it provides attendees, who look forward each year to meeting up with colleagues and partners, and to share industry-related information on a local and international level.
Such is the case for people like Wesley Pike, Vice President of DIS (Dealer Information Systems) in Mississauga, Ont.; Mark Squires, Chairman of the National Franchise Dealers Association in the United Kingdom, Charlotte Ye, Founder and CEO of Chinese automotive website Webcars, and Johannes Gnauck, Founder and co-CEO of automotiveMastermind in New York City, N.Y.
“NADA, it’s always about meeting existing partners and dealer partners, so we are very excited about that,” says Gnauck, who adds that the show, for him, is mostly about “finding new partnerships with OEMs, with dealer groups and individual dealers, as well as releasing our future product strategy around Conquest and revealing a sneak preview of our product offering.”
automotiveMastermind focuses on dealerships, helping them retain their customers more effectively by predicting buying patterns and understanding when to follow consumers at the right time with the right message.
Mark O’Brien, Senior Director of Dealer Solutions with Cox Automotive Canada, is looking forward to connecting with Canadian dealers to better understand what they see different in the consumer buying experience.
“One of the most talked about issues coming into this NADA is the changing nature of the buying experience for consumers with respect to the purchase of a vehicle,” says O’Brien. “I’m actually very curious to talk to a lot of the Canadian dealers to understand what their observations are in terms of what they see in their day-to-day business as a transformed experience from a consumer buying perspective. So I’m really here to understand, are they seeing a difference in how consumers are actually buying vehicles?”
Dealers and suppliers aside, attendees have so far had the opportunity to sit in on presentations and discussions from keynote speakers such as Nick Saban, legendary football coach; John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo, and Mike Jackson, Chairman, CEO & President of AutoNation. Day three of the convention will see Robert O’Neill, a former SEAL Team Six leader with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, take the stage to deliver an inspirational session for dealers.
Wes Lutz, NADA’s new Chairman, also stepped up on stage to outline his priorities for the year, which includes advocating for new-car dealer concerns within the industry, and where legislative and regulatory affairs are concerned. He also discussed changes in the industry and outlined the positive side of it all, noting that there will still be a place for cars and dealers in the future. He also encouraged dealers to continue adapting to the “retailing challenges ahead.”
“Just because a new system pops up, doesn’t mean the ‘old one’ is dead. Just because technology changes, it doesn’t mean that a car’s usefulness is gone. At almost every turn, dealers have faced challenges — some major ones. But our troubles didn’t define us. How we responded to them did,” said Lutz.
The NADA Show 2018 runs from March 23-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Nevada.
