Another year, another NADA Show has passed, and Digital Dealer was there along with 22,000 other automotive industry professionals. The NADA Show pulled no punches this year with their excellent keynote speakers – Kat Cole, COO and President of Focus Brands; Comedian and Actor Dana Carvey; Maj. Dan Rooney of the US Air Force; 2018 NADA Chairman Wesley Lutz; and our February 2019 issue cover story, 2019 NADA Chairman Charles Gilchrist.
This year’s NADA Show also featured many excellent workshops and speakers, which provided attendees with valuable insights they can take back and implement in their dealerships.
The exhibit hall was packed with everything under the sun from exhibitors who are also regulars at Digital Dealer, to just about every dealership solution available, including parts, tires, tools, and even a fully working car wash, right there on the exhibit hall floor. With 4 exhibit halls spread over 3 buildings, there was indeed a lot of walking involved, in fact, I walked over 9 miles on just the first day alone!
The show was very much alive, and most booths I visited appeared to be busy with dealers seeking solutions, actively taking demos or visiting their existing service providers to learn more about updates and any new features.
Of course, there was plenty of nightlife to enjoy with multiple networking events held nightly. As per usual, this year vendors went all out hosting lavish cocktail parties and VIP events with significant musical talent including REO Speedwagon, Weezer and even a party on the largest charter ship in the West which sailed around the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. That particular blowout party featured performances by Vanilla Ice and Quiet Riot. (Thanks for the invite, Digital Air Strike!)
It was a pleasure seeing everyone and networking with friends both old and new. The staff at the NADA Show certainly know how to put on a great conference, and once again held a fantastic event. I very much enjoyed it this year in the great city of San Francisco, one of my favorite places in the word– As this year’s NADA Show tagline went, “Go West!” Which 22,000 automotive industry professionals did — and I certainly don’t think they were disappointed!
About the Author
Sara Callahan is the Founder and President of Carter West Public Relations, one of the top agencies that specializes in retail automotive public relations. Born in the United Kingdom, Sara Callahan re-located to the United States over twenty-five years ago and held executive positions in several marketing/communications firms before founding her own agency, Carter West Public Relations, in 1990. Ms. Callahan’s particular strengths include community and media relations, content development, social media, campaign strategies, trade shows, special events, print and broadcast media placement.
