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A Helpful Guide to the 2023 NADA Show

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Pam Georgiana

Get ready for the 2023 NADA Show, the auto industry event of the year! From January 26-29, 2023, some of the best automotive industry professionals will come together in Dallas, TX for the conference of the year.

NADA is the place to discover innovative products, emerging trends, and networking opportunities for all areas of the auto industry. So come prepared to work and play hard! 

Make sure to stop by Calldrip’s booth (#6008) near the vestibule entrance and check out our new AI-powered conversation monitoring and enhanced call tracking with text message automation. We are excited to show you how these tools can strengthen your sales teams. 

Here's a handy guide to help you prepare for this industry-leading trade show. 

A few key facts about the NADA Show

The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is one of the industry’s leading trade groups. This powerhouse group advocates for US dealerships, researches the trends shaping retail auto today, provides support for owners and employees of dealerships, and even offers workforce development - not to mention hosting this incredible annual trade show!

Here are the important details: 

This year, the NADA Show is taking place in Dallas, Texas. The conference is in Halls A-F of the  Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas, TX 75202 

Registration is in Lower Lobby C. The hours for registration are: 

  • Thursday, January 26: 8am – 6pm
  • Friday, January 27: 7:30am – 5pm
  • Saturday, January 28: 8am – 5pm
  • Sunday, Jan. 29: 8am – 2:30pm
The educational workshops are scheduled on January 26 through 29, while the Expo goes from January 27 through 29. Sessions each day will take place during the following times:
  • Thursday, January 26: 10:30am-5pm
  • Friday, January 27: 8:30am-5:30pm
  • Saturday, January 28: 8:30am-5pm
  • Sunday, January 29: 8:30am-2:30pm

Welcome Reception

There will be a Texas-sized show kick-off at the legendary Gilley's on Thursday, January 26, from 7 to 10pm featuring country music superstar Brad Paisley! 

The NADA Show Roundup is the show's fun and festive welcome reception, featuring trick ropers, line dancing, a honky-tonk band, mariachi music, flamenco dancing, mechanical bulls, western blackjack, and so much more. Then, we'll cap off the night with a live performance by Grammy Award-winning country music star Brad Paisley! So bring your jeans and cowboy boots and kick up your heels. Check here for ticket information, coming soon. 

Lodging

You have until January 5, 2023 to book your hotel rooms with the NADA group rate. The conference organizers recommend that you book your hotels while registering, but it is possible to book hotels after you register, too. If you need to make changes, contact the housing and registration team at nada@maritz.com or 864.208.8439.

Speakers and Events

This year, the Main Stage Speakers are:

  • Nikki Haley
  • Greg Gutfeld 
  • Deion Sanders 
  • Michael Alford 
  • Geoffrey Pohanka 

The educational programs include: 

  • 80+ Workshops (Learn)
    • Tracks: Innovative ideas and new practices in Business Essentials & Innovations; Digital Fixed Ops; Human Capital; Leadership; Marketing; and Variable Ops
  • 2 Super Sessions (Deep Dives)
    • The Future of Automotive Retail Roundtable – Thursday, January 26: 12:15–2pm
    • Best of the Best Ideas From NADA 20 Groups – Sunday, January 29: 12:30–2pm
  • 24 Exchange (Engaged Participation) Sessions 
    • These popular roundtable discussions feature brainstorming and problem-solving among auto industry peers. Each Exchange session is based on timely topics selected by attendees when registering.
  • Distinguished Speaker Series (Motivate)
    • Nav Bhatia | Thursday, January 26: 2:30–3:30pm
    • Joe DeLoss | Friday, January 27: 10:30–11:30am
    • Colby Jenkins | Saturday, January 28: 10:30–11:30am

Tips for Success at the 2023 NADA Show

Optimize your time and energy with a bit of pre-planning and strategic thinking. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Take the Shuttle

NADA provides a free shuttle service between the Convention Center and key hotels within the NADA Show housing block. Check here for the shuttle schedule and routes.

Download the NADA Show App
A handy show app will be available for download in early January from the App Store and Google Play. Use the app to manage your personal agenda, connect with fellow attendees, view session details, submit feedback, access interactive floor maps, and more. 

Plan your Schedule
As you book meetings, use the MySchedule tool to select the sessions you'd like to attend, map your routes through the expo floor, request appointments with exhibitors, and manage your calendar. In addition, you can sync your MySchedule itinerary to the NADA Show mobile app when it is live. 

Book Meetings in Advance
More than 500 exhibitors will be on-site at NADA! You won’t be able to meet all of them in just a few days, so prioritize before you go. Take a moment to review the exhibitor list and book as many meetings as you can now. 
Don’t forget about Calldrip! Book a time to chat with our team about our new AI-powered conversation monitoring and enhanced call tracking with text message automation.

For First-Timers
Start your conference off right by attending the Meet NADA session on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 10:30am. This orientation will make sure you’re prepared to learn and network throughout the Show.

Pack Smart
A big trade show like the 2023 NADA Show is a marathon, not a sprint! So be prepared for long days and fun nights by packing smart. 
You’ll want to bring:

  • Comfortable shoes. This is essential for walking and standing all day in a large convention center. 
  • A warm coat and scarf. The temperature in Dallas averages between 37℉ and 57℉ during the day and can dip below freezing at night. So be prepared to bundle up. 
  • A jacket or sweater. Convention center rooms are notoriously chilly. 
  • A water bottle. It’s important to stay hydrated!
  • Light snacks. While there are plenty of food options at the convention center, sometimes it is a good idea to bring your favorites.   
  • Business cards. Now’s the time to request more business cards from your marketing department, if you’re running low! Stash some in your wallet, bag, and coat pockets so they’re always accessible. You may also want to create a digital business card. 
  • Extra phone charger or battery pack. Chances are, you will need to charge your phone in the middle of the day, especially if you're using the conference app while on-site. Make sure to bring your backup cords and plugs, too! 
  • A briefcase or tote. Don't lose your important documents, sales sheets, and networking materials. Instead, bring a foldable tote bag or briefcase so you can easily stash everything and stay hands-free.

3 Important Reminders

As you prep for a fantastic trade show, here are three things you won't want to forget:

  • Remember to set your Out of Office notification for both calendar and email, especially If you're taking an extra day off to recoup. If you are using a calendar link to make it easier for folks to book meetings, setting your calendar is doubly important!
  • Bring any postcards or other mail you might have received from exhibitors before the event. Drop them off at the exhibitor’s booth, which can sometimes enter you into drawings and giveaways. Also, drop off a business card while you are there!
  • Plan for fun! Dallas is a big city with lots of opportunities for fun and relaxation. Don’t forget to leave time in your schedule for leisure activities like sports, museums, dining out, shopping or live music. Want to know what there is to do in Dallas? Check out the Visit Dallas website! 

We're so excited to see you at the 2023 NADA Show! Don't forget to visit Calldrip at Booth #6008! If you'd like to book a time to talk with our team, you can do that here. 

Yee Haw! See you in Dallas!  



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