Agenda
8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Registration Desk
Pick up your badges and convention information at the registration desk.
DEALER LOCATION: CYAN REGISTRATION (LEVEL 4)
EXHIBITOR LOCATION: INDIGO REGISTRATION (LEVEL 6)
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
AEC Meeting
The Executive Directors of the State IADAs will hold a closed meeting.
LOCATION: NAVY 1 (LEVEL 6)
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
State Presidents Meeting
The State Presidents of the State IADAs will hold a meeting open to all dealer members interested in state association activity.
LOCATION: NAVY 2 (LEVEL 6)
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Annual Membership Meeting
NIADA members will vote on the association’s Board of Directors for 2025-26.
LOCATION: COBALT 8-9 (LEVEL 4)
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
First Timers Reception
First time at convention as a dealer? We want to meet, learn about you and help you get the most out of your convention experience during this reception.
LOCATION: COBALT 1-2 (LEVEL 4)
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
20 Group Reception
20 Group members are invited to have a drink and relax in an invitation-only reception.
LOCATION: BOWTIE 1-2 (LEVEL 4)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Start your trip to the 2025 Convention and Expo with a beverage and snacks and visit with fellow dealers from across the nation.
LOCATION: WATERBLEAU TERRACE (LEVEL 2)
7:30 am - 7:00 pm
Registration Desk
Pick up your badges and convention information at the registration desk.
DEALER LOCATION: CYAN REGISTRATION (LEVEL 4)
EXHIBITOR LOCATION: INDIGO REGISTRATION (LEVEL 6)
9:00 am - 9:45 am
Opening General Session
2025-26 NIADA President Don Griffin of CarHop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, welcomes members to the largest convention and expo for the independent auto dealer and encourages peers to network and soak in the knowledge provided throughout the event. NIADA Director of Education Brent Carmichael and Cox Automotive Senior Director of Economic Industry Insights Mark Strand will provide an industry update to assist attendees in their education.
LOCATION: COBALT 5-7 (LEVEL 4)
Senior Director of Economic Industry Insights, Cox Automotive
NIADA Director of Education
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
PAC Lounge
Come relax and get refreshed in the massage chairs available in the PAC Lounge, which will be available to all members who have donated to the NIADA PAC in the past year. The non-partisan NIADA PAC has contributed to federal candidates who share our vision for the future of the independent dealer and who will continue to fight for the used auto industry. The NIADA PAC may receive up to $5,000 per year from any one contributor. A husband and a wife each have separate $5,000 limits, even if only one spouse has an income.
LOCATION: CYAN 3 (LEVEL 4)
10:00 am - 10:50 am
Education Breakout Sessions 1
Attend one of the education sessions in the five tracks featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Compliance: Common Tax Compliance Pitfalls and Opportunities for Dealers
Marketing: Drive Growth and Build Loyalty with AI
Management: Drive to Thrive: Motivating Your Dealership Team for Peak Performance
BHPH: Know Your Numbers
Retail: It’s Time to Tune Up Your Service Department
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
11:00 am - 11:50 am
Education Breakout Sessions 2
Attend one of the education sessions in the five tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Compliance: “I Didn’t Know That” Is No Excuse: Overcoming Challenges When Collecting Collateral
Marketing: Full Throttle Marketing: Rev Up Your Dealership’s Sales
Management: Vehicle Inventory and Service Department Flow: Skills to Improve Carrying Levels and Turn Time
BHPH: Underwriting and Collections: Adapting to Change and Driving Success
Retail: The Best Ideas from Retail 20 Groups
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Dealer Awards Luncheon
Come celebrate the best of the independent automobile industry, including the announcement of the 2025 National Quality Dealer of the Year. Invited guests include dealer members, state association executives and staff, award nominees and recipients, National Corporate Partners (4 guests) and Diamond Sponsors (4 guests).
LOCATION: COBALT 5-7 (LEVEL 4)
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
PAC Lounge
Come relax and get refreshed in the massage chairs available in the PAC Lounge, which will be available to all members who have donated to the NIADA PAC in the past year. The non-partisan NIADA PAC has contributed to federal candidates who share our vision for the future of the independent dealer and who will continue to fight for the used auto industry. The NIADA PAC may receive up to $5,000 per year from any one contributor. A husband and a wife each have separate $5,000 limits, even if only one spouse has an income.
LOCATION: CYAN 3 (LEVEL 4)
2:10 pm - 3:00 pm
Education Breakout Sessions 3
Attend one of the education sessions in the five tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Compliance: Driven to Compliance: Navigating Federal and State Laws in the Trump 2.0 Era
Marketing: Finding Your Place in the Marketplace
Management: Certified Master Dealer: How To Become One
BHPH: The Best Ideas from BHPH Dealer Forum
Retail: Building Resilient Dealership Operations and Inventory Strategies in a Volatile Market
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
2:10 pm - 4:00 pm
Finance Fair
Visit with lenders from across the industry about creating partnerships to help grow your business.
LOCATION: COBALT 1-2 (LEVEL 4)
3:10 pm - 4:00 pm
Education Breakout Sessions 4
Attend one of the education sessions in the following tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Compliance:Cybersecurity Made Simple: The Practical Playbook for Auto Dealers
Marketing: Mastering AI to Transform Your Dealership
Management: Positioned for Growth: A Proven Strategy to Modernize Your Business and Achieve Record Revenues
BHPH: Reducing Charge-Offs in Today’s Challenging Collection Environment
BHPH: The BHPH Vehicle – Getting It to the Frontline & Keeping It on the Road
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
4:10 pm - 5:10 pm
Keynote Address: Joe Theismann
Super Bowl champion, Emmy-winning broadcaster, author and entrepreneur, Joe Theismann, will share his timely strategy for tackling unforeseen change with independent auto dealers, who themselves are working through changing industry forces, during the keynote address sponsored by CARFAX.
LOCATION: COBALT 5-7 (LEVEL 4)
5:15 pm - 7:45 pm
Expo Grand Opening
Visit the largest expo in the independent auto industry to find solutions to help your business.
LOCATION: ROYAL BALLROOM (LEVEL 6)
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Registration Desk
Pick up your badges and convention information at the registration desk.
DEALER LOCATION: CYAN REGISTRATION (LEVEL 4)
EXHIBITOR LOCATION: INDIGO REGISTRATION (LEVEL 6)
9:00 am - 11:00 am
PAC Lounge
Come relax and get refreshed in the massage chairs available in the PAC Lounge, which will be available to all members who have donated to the NIADA PAC in the past year. The non-partisan NIADA PAC has contributed to federal candidates who share our vision for the future of the independent dealer and who will continue to fight for the used auto industry. The NIADA PAC may receive up to $5,000 per year from any one contributor. A husband and a wife each have separate $5,000 limits, even if only one spouse has an income.
LOCATION: CYAN 3 (LEVEL 4)
9:00 am - 9:50 am
Education Breakout Sessions 5
Attend one of the education sessions in the following tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Marketing: How I Use AI in My Dealership
Management: Young Guns: Dealers Under 40 Finding Success
Management: Rev Up Your Revenue: Remarketing Strategies for Independent Dealers
BHPH: Two Simple DIY Tools for Measuring BHPH Profitability and Cash Flow
Retail: F&I Unleashed: Proven Strategies to Maximize Profit & Build a Winning Finance Department
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
10:00 am - 10:50 am
Education Breakout Sessions 6
Attend one of the education sessions in the following tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Marketing: Making Social Media and Video Work at Your Dealership
Management: Mastering Secure Logistics: End-to-End Control for Independent Dealers
Management: 20 Groups – What They Have Done for Me
BHPH: BHPH 101 – Don’t Forget the Basics
Retail: Finding, Selecting and Hiring the “Right” Sales Candidates
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
11:00 am - 11:50 am
Education Breakout Sessions 7
Attend one of the education sessions in the following tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Marketing: 10x Your Marketing Efficiency with Generative AI
Marketing: Why Your Ad Campaign Keeps Failing and How to Fix It
Management: Modern Strategies to Combat Declining Profitability
Management: A CPA and an Independent Dealer Discuss Reinsurance 101
BHPH: Carrot or Stick: Collections Strategies
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Exhibit Hall
Enjoy lunch and the opportunity to visit with business solutions providers. Lunch will be served 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
LOCATION: ROYAL BALLROOM (LEVEL 6)
2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
PAC Lounge
Come relax and get refreshed in the massage chairs available in the PAC Lounge, which will be available to all members who have donated to the NIADA PAC in the past year. The non-partisan NIADA PAC has contributed to federal candidates who share our vision for the future of the independent dealer and who will continue to fight for the used auto industry. The NIADA PAC may receive up to $5,000 per year from any one contributor. A husband and a wife each have separate $5,000 limits, even if only one spouse has an income.
LOCATION: CYAN 3 (LEVEL 4)
2:20 pm - 3:00 pm
Dealer Rounds 1
Engage in roundtable discussions led by experienced dealers. There are fifteen 40-minute sessions covering a range of topics to choose from. It’s fast-paced, fun and informative. Come ready to learn, share and network.
LOCATION: LAZULI (LEVEL 6)
2:20 pm - 3:10 pm
Education Breakout Sessions 8
Attend one of the education sessions in the following tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Compliance: Compliance, For a Good Night’s Sleep
Marketing: AI for Everyone: Transforming Your Dealership’s Data into Personalized Success
Retail: 90 Days to a New Dealership
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
3:20 pm - 4:00 pm
Dealer Rounds 2
Engage in roundtable discussions led by experienced dealers. There are fifteen 40-minute sessions covering a range of topics to choose from. It’s fast-paced, fun and informative. Come ready to learn, share and network.
LOCATION: LAZULI (LEVEL 6)
3:20 pm - 4:10 pm
Education Breakout Sessions 9
Attend one of the education sessions in the following tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Marketing: How Video Boosts the Bottom Line for Dealerships
Management: Leverage the Auction to Satisfy More of Your Dealership’s Needs
Compliance: It’s a New World at the FTC and CFPB
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
3:20 pm - 4:20 pm
Women in Automotive Reception
Take a break and come toast the outstanding women in our industry. All registered guests are welcome.
LOCATION: HERON 1-2 (LEVEL 6)
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Expo Reception and NIADA Foundation Vehicle Auction
Take advantage of one last opportunity to visit with business partners during the expo and bid on this year’s vehicle to benefit the NIADA Foundation’s efforts to assist dealers impacted by natural disasters and scholarships for students joining the industry.
LOCATION: ROYAL BALLROOM (LEVEL 6)
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Help Desk
Come see us at the registration desk for convention information or anything else you need.
DEALER LOCATION: CYAN REGISTRATION (LEVEL 4)
EXHIBITOR LOCATION: INDIGO REGISTRATION (LEVEL 6)
9:00 am - 9:50 am
Education Breakout Sessions 10
Attend one of the education sessions in the following tracks, featuring some of the nation’s top dealers and industry experts.
Management: Fueling Growth: How Smart Hiring Drives Dealership Success
Retail: The Secret to Building Strong & Profitable Lender Relationships
Management: Inventory Management: Focus on the Formula
SEE EDUCATION PAGE FOR MORE INFO
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Navigating the Automobile Space Through 2025 and Beyond
Join us for the closing general session as we host an in-depth conversation with industry experts about where the independent automobile industry is headed. The first half of 2025 provided plenty of economic uncertainty and significant market shifts could be on the horizon. Some of the largest and most influential names in the used car market will share their insight and speculate on what the regulatory, financial, political and business landscape will look like over the next three to five years and beyond. Take advantage of this opportunity to position yourself for success.
LOCATION: COBALT 5-7 (LEVEL 4)
Chief Strategy Officer, Tricolor
Partner, AlixPartners
Director of Government Relations and Compliance, NIADA
Associate General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs, CarMax
