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NADA 2016 opened in Las Vegas.
On the heels of a record year for car sales, and with what looks like another record year shaping up, dealers and vendors were all smiles at this year’s National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Expo that opened Friday, April 1 in Las Vegas, Nev.
It’s the 15th time that Vegas has hosted the annual pilgrimage of auto dealers from across North America — and from 30 countries around the world — who come to learn about best practices, meet old friends, and get exposed to products from the more than 600 exhibitors in the massive trade show floor.
It’s not just one trade show floor at this year’s event — the exhibitors are packed into two massive halls.
The dealer meetings started Thursday, and the exhibition floor opened Friday and is open until Sunday.
The Canadian auto dealer team attended assorted press conferences, NADA events and met with dozens of dealers, suppliers and industry leaders on the opening day.
The general thrust is one of optimism and excitement, with digital and mobile being two big areas of focus. The “digital” side of NADA continues to grow each year, with the suppliers offering digital sales and marketing products showing up in ever bigger booths.
CHANGES AHEAD
As part of the NADA opening general session, Bill Fox delivered his final address as 2015 chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Fox reflected on his role as chairman over the past year. “As the retail automotive industry has evolved, so have we,” said Fox to the thousands of new-car dealers, their managers and auto industry executives. “And the result is that we have not only survived, but we have prospered.”
To stay ahead, it’s important that dealers and their industry partners work together to find ways to adapt and respond to the needs of the consumers.
“The only difference between change today and change over the past 99 years is the speed at which it happens. And it affects all of us — dealers, manufacturers, and of course the driving public,” said Fox.
“When we pull in the same direction, we accomplish more together than when we try to do it alone.”
Canadian rock legend Jim Cuddy
CANADA NIGHT A HIT
NADA wouldn’t be the event it is without countless parties and networking opportunities.
One such party on Thursday had a distinctly Canadian feel to it, as the first Canada Night gathered Canadians together on the eve of the show opening.
Among the attendees were dealers, bankers, heads of dealer groups, auto dealer association executives, various suppliers and media, along with a full crew from SCI Marketview, the organizers of the event.
Canadian rock legend Jim Cuddy, performing with a stripped down band, didn’t disappoint. The Blue Rodeo singer/guitarist took the crowd through an intimate set consisting of his solo work and some popular Blue Rodeo hits.
One of the highlights of the night was when one of the Canadians in attendance took to the stage and sang with Cuddy. She knew the words, sang in key, and created a great memory.
The 2016 NADA convention runs from March 31 to April 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Look for more ongoing coverage from Canadian auto dealer in the days ahead, including video reports from the show floor.
