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New NADA Chairman Jeff Carlson takes the reins.
More than 25,000 dealers, vendors, and journalists that flocked to Las Vegas for the 2016 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention & Expo are now headed back home with lots of new information and ideas, but many will be looking forward to a good night’s sleep.
Apart from the long days at the conference and walking the trade show floor, NADA is also an endurance contest, with social events, huge parties, and private dinners keeping everyone out late, or rather early.
Again this year, the Dealertrack event generated a lot of buzz with a massive private party with more than 3,000 people at the recently-opened OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace featuring Rev Run + DJ Ruckus, De La Soul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Social media reputation management firm Digital Air Strike opted for a Vegas themed pool party event featuring pin-up girls and models at their party. Those were just a couple of the dozens of private events across the city.
The social and networking elements of NADA are what make it the must attend event for dealers and suppliers.
Other NADA 2016 highlights include:
In his keynote address, incoming NADA Chairman Jeff Carlson outlined his vision for the association in the months ahead.
“We have right-sized the association and are ready to enter into the next century. A century where we will advocate for all dealers, all of the time, everywhere, just as we have for the past 99 years,” said Carlson, president of Glenwood Springs Ford and Glenwood Springs Subaru in Glenwood Springs, Colo., and co-owner of Summit Ford in Silverthorne, Colo. “We will do that in the legislative and regulatory arenas. We will do that with our manufacturers.”
Carlson pledged that the NADA would continue its advocacy work on issues such as preserving the ability of dealers to discount credit, make credit affordable and accessible, and advocate for dealers and consumers for any “ill-advised” government policy or manufacturer issues that may arise during his tenure.
Auction raised $128,000 to train service dogs for wounded veterans.
NADA attendees might have also seen a 2014 Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob FXDB motorcycle prominently displayed in the ADESA booth for a live auction. Proceeds from the auction raised a record $128,000 to train service dogs for wounded veterans.
“We are in awe of the overwhelming generosity displayed by our customers and NADA attendees at this year’s charity motorcycle auction,” said Stéphane St-Hilaire, ADESA president and CEO.
“ADESA is very proud to once again support the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation (NADCF) and Canine Companions for Independence. We look forward to future opportunities to partner with these fantastic causes.”
DRIVING CONSUMER AWARENESS
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) announced during a press conference that it had partnered with the MyCarDoesWhat campaign to help raise consumer awareness about the new safety features in their vehicles.
Consumers who are not introduced to the safety features in their vehicles within 90 days are unlikely to use them properly, according to the University of Iowa, who created the campaign with the National Safety Council.
“A blind spot monitoring system can’t help you if you don’t have it turned on, and automatic braking isn’t going to keep you safe if you think it’s a substitute for being an active, alert driver,” said Peter Welch, president of NADA.
“As the main touch point for consumers considering new car purchases, dealers have a very natural role to play here. And by working together, hopefully we can close the consumer education gap, and achieve our shared goal of getting drivers to feel comfortable and confident with all their vehicles have to offer on the safety front.”
The 2017 NADA Convention & Expo will take place Jan. 26-29 in New Orleans.
