While 2021 NADA Show registrants won’t be able to convene in-person in New Orleans Feb. 9-11, the auto industry’s "event of the year" will still go on — offering all the benefits the event has to offer, including the opportunity for dealers to get exclusive insights into their respective brands via franchise meetings with OEM representatives.

Over the three-day event, registrants will be able to tune in to more than 100 speeches, panels and interviews. Dealers and their managers also will have access to up to 25 rolling meeting invitations to directly connect with fellow attendees and exhibitors.

Joe Massarelli, president of Liberty Auto City in Libertyville and the National Automobile Dealers Association director who represents his fellow dealers in Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties in Illinois, said he favors the virtual format because it won’t take him or his employees away from the store. He has tasked his employees who register to implement two or three good ideas they glean from the presentations.

"I biasedly, strongly encourage dealers to watch the presentations," Massarelli said.

Registration for dealers who are NADA members is $199; nonmembers cost $399. For allieds, registration is $399. New this year, the NADA is offering group registration rates. Save $50 per registration when 10 or more attendees from a dealership group register.

Mike Stanton, NADA’s president and CEO, said the show’s franchise meetings offer dealers a prime opportunity to connect with OEMs and ask questions. 

"Dealers consistently tell us that franchise meetings are one of the top reasons for attending the Show," Stanton said. "For many dealers, this is the only time they have a chance to directly interact with senior OEM leadership.

"Given the accelerated change of pace for the industry and the country as a whole due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new President and administration, etcetera, senior OEM executives will be providing the latest news and what all these changes mean for the brands dealers sell. Just as importantly, dealers have the opportunity to share with OEMs what is working on the ground at their stores, and what needs improvement."

Stanton said franchise meetings are not like OEM meetings that automakers host over the course of the year. They are dealer meetings, and dealers invite OEMs to participate. It is a unique opportunity for dealers to set the agenda and get answers to their questions, and to discuss the importance of the relationship and how things can improve.

"The meetings are important for OEMs as well," he said. "They provide our auto manufacturer partners with an opportunity to hear directly from the dealer body who are on the front lines with customers every day."

For more information on franchise meetings, including the full schedule, and to register for NADA Show 2021, click here.