{"id":10140,"date":"2026-05-13T17:35:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T21:35:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/?page_id=10140"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:16:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T16:16:46","slug":"general-sessions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/general-sessions\/","title":{"rendered":"General Sessions"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\nNIADA 2026 \u2014 General Sessions<\/title>\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Archivo+Black&family=Roboto+Mono:wght@400;500;600&family=Roboto:ital,wght@0,300;0,400;0,500;0,700;0,900;1,300;1,400;1,700;1,900&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<style>\n :root {\n --navy: #0d2545;\n --navy-2: #132f54;\n --accent: #E65E28;\n --accent-deep: #c54a1a;\n --accent-soft: #fde3d6;\n --cream: #f4f5f7;\n --ink: #0d2545;\n --ink-dim: #5a6a82;\n --ink-mute: #8a96aa;\n --line: #e5e7eb;\n --line-soft: #f1f2f5;\n --blue: #164a99;\n }\n\n * { box-sizing: border-box; }\n html, body { margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }\n body {\n background: #f9f9f9;\n color: var(--navy);\n font-family: 'Roboto', system-ui, sans-serif;\n min-height: 100vh;\n -webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased;\n overflow-x: hidden;\n }\n\n .wrap {\n max-width: 1240px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n padding: 0 32px;\n position: relative;\n z-index: 2;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\n Hero\n \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n .hero {\n padding: 60px 0 40px;\n position: relative;\n }\n .hero-content > * {\n animation: fadeUp 0.8s cubic-bezier(.2,.8,.2,1) both;\n }\n .hero-eyebrow { animation-delay: 0s; }\n .hero h1 { animation-delay: 0.1s; }\n .hero-lede { animation-delay: 0.2s; }\n @keyframes fadeUp {\n from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(14px); }\n to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }\n }\n\n .hero-eyebrow {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 11px;\n letter-spacing: 0.28em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--accent);\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 12px;\n margin-bottom: 28px;\n }\n .hero-eyebrow::before {\n content: \"\";\n width: 32px;\n height: 2px;\n background: var(--accent);\n }\n\n .hero h1 {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 900;\n font-size: clamp(36px, 4.8vw, 60px);\n line-height: 1;\n letter-spacing: -0.035em;\n margin: 0 0 28px;\n color: var(--blue);\n max-width: 18ch;\n }\n .hero h1 em {\n font-style: italic;\n font-weight: 900;\n color: var(--accent);\n }\n\n .hero-lede {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 300;\n font-size: clamp(17px, 1.6vw, 21px);\n line-height: 1.55;\n color: var(--navy);\n max-width: 620px;\n margin: 0 0 36px;\n }\n .hero-lede em {\n font-style: italic;\n font-weight: 400;\n color: var(--accent);\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\n Sessions section\n \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n .sessions-section {\n padding: 0 0 60px;\n border-top: 2px solid var(--navy);\n position: relative;\n }\n .sessions-section::before {\n content: \"\";\n position: absolute;\n top: -2px;\n left: 0;\n width: 120px;\n height: 2px;\n background: var(--accent);\n }\n\n .sessions-header {\n display: flex;\n align-items: baseline;\n justify-content: flex-end;\n flex-wrap: wrap;\n gap: 24px;\n padding: 20px 0 16px;\n }\n .sessions-title {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 900;\n font-size: clamp(28px, 3.2vw, 40px);\n line-height: 1;\n letter-spacing: -0.025em;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin: 0;\n }\n .sessions-title em {\n font-style: italic;\n color: var(--accent);\n font-weight: 900;\n }\n .sessions-counter {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 12px;\n letter-spacing: 0.18em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--ink-dim);\n padding: 8px 14px;\n border: 1px solid var(--line);\n border-radius: 999px;\n background: #fff;\n }\n .sessions-counter strong {\n color: var(--accent);\n font-weight: 600;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\n Session card\n \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n .session {\n padding: 44px 0 48px;\n border-top: 1px solid var(--line);\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: 200px 1fr;\n gap: 56px;\n align-items: start;\n scroll-margin-top: 40px;\n }\n .session:last-of-type { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line); }\n\n .session-left {\n position: sticky;\n top: 32px;\n }\n .session-num {\n font-family: 'Archivo Black', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 400;\n font-size: 96px;\n line-height: 1;\n letter-spacing: -0.02em;\n color: var(--accent) !important;\n -webkit-text-fill-color: #ffffff;\n -webkit-text-stroke: 1.25px var(--accent);\n text-stroke: 1.25px var(--accent);\n margin: 0 0 16px -2px;\n transition: color 0.25s ease, -webkit-text-fill-color 0.25s ease;\n }\n .session:hover .session-num {\n color: var(--accent) !important;\n -webkit-text-fill-color: var(--accent);\n }\n .session-kicker {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 10px;\n letter-spacing: 0.2em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--accent);\n margin-bottom: 8px;\n }\n .session-when {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 11px;\n letter-spacing: 0.06em;\n color: var(--ink-dim);\n }\n\n .session-body {\n max-width: 720px;\n }\n\n .session-title {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 700;\n font-size: clamp(28px, 3.4vw, 42px);\n line-height: 1.08;\n letter-spacing: -0.025em;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin: 0 0 20px;\n }\n .session-title em {\n font-style: italic;\n color: var(--accent);\n font-weight: 700;\n }\n\n .session-sub {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 400;\n font-size: 17px;\n line-height: 1.5;\n color: var(--ink-dim);\n margin: 0 0 28px;\n }\n\n .session-prose p {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-size: 15.5px;\n line-height: 1.7;\n color: var(--ink-dim);\n margin: 0 0 16px;\n }\n .session-prose p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n .session-prose p strong {\n color: var(--navy);\n font-weight: 700;\n }\n .session-prose em { font-style: italic; }\n\n \/* On Stage roster *\/\n .roster {\n margin: 32px 0 0;\n padding: 22px 0 0;\n border-top: 1px dashed var(--line);\n }\n .roster-label {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 10px;\n letter-spacing: 0.2em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--ink-mute);\n margin-bottom: 14px;\n }\n .roster-row {\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 16px;\n padding: 10px 0;\n font-size: 14.5px;\n }\n .roster-photo {\n width: 66px;\n height: 66px;\n border-radius: 50%;\n overflow: hidden;\n background: var(--cream);\n flex-shrink: 0;\n }\n .roster-photo img {\n width: 100% !important;\n height: 100% !important;\n max-width: none !important;\n object-fit: cover;\n object-position: center top;\n display: block;\n margin: 0 !important;\n }\n .roster-name {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 700;\n color: var(--navy);\n min-width: 180px;\n }\n .roster-role {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 11.5px;\n letter-spacing: 0.04em;\n color: var(--ink-dim);\n }\n\n \/* Keynote portrait: floats so title, sub, and prose all wrap around it *\/\n .keynote-portrait {\n float: left !important;\n width: 220px !important;\n max-width: 220px !important;\n aspect-ratio: 4 \/ 5;\n margin: 6px 32px 16px 0 !important;\n padding: 0 !important;\n overflow: hidden;\n background: var(--cream);\n border-radius: 2px;\n box-sizing: border-box;\n }\n .keynote-portrait img {\n width: 100% !important;\n height: 100% !important;\n max-width: none !important;\n object-fit: cover;\n object-position: center top;\n display: block;\n margin: 0 !important;\n }\n\n \/* Sponsor band *\/\n .sponsor {\n margin-top: 28px;\n padding: 18px 24px;\n background: var(--line-soft);\n border-left: 4px solid var(--accent);\n display: flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 18px;\n flex-wrap: wrap;\n clear: both;\n }\n .sponsor-label {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 10px;\n letter-spacing: 0.22em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--ink-dim);\n flex-shrink: 0;\n }\n .sponsor-logo {\n height: 20px;\n max-height: 20px;\n max-width: 110px;\n width: auto;\n object-fit: contain;\n display: block;\n flex-shrink: 0;\n }\n .sponsor-logo.is-tall {\n height: 28px;\n max-height: 28px;\n max-width: 130px;\n }\n .sponsor-name {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-size: 14.5px;\n color: var(--navy);\n }\n .sponsor-name strong { font-weight: 700; }\n .sponsor-divider {\n width: 1px;\n height: 20px;\n background: rgba(13, 37, 69, 0.15);\n flex-shrink: 0;\n }\n\n \/* Keynote extended *\/\n .keynote-extended {\n margin-top: 40px;\n padding-top: 40px;\n border-top: 1px solid var(--line);\n clear: both;\n }\n\n .stat-row {\n display: grid;\n grid-template-columns: repeat(4, 1fr);\n gap: 0;\n margin: 24px 0 40px;\n border-top: 1px solid var(--line);\n border-bottom: 1px solid var(--line);\n }\n .stat {\n padding: 36px 24px;\n border-right: 1px solid var(--line);\n }\n .stat:last-child { border-right: none; }\n .stat .n {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 900;\n font-size: 40px;\n line-height: 1;\n letter-spacing: -0.025em;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin-bottom: 12px;\n }\n .stat .l {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 10px;\n letter-spacing: 0.18em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: var(--ink-dim);\n line-height: 1.3;\n }\n\n .sub-h {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 700;\n font-size: 20px;\n line-height: 1.2;\n letter-spacing: -0.015em;\n color: var(--navy);\n margin: 36px 0 14px;\n }\n .sub-h em {\n font-style: italic;\n color: var(--accent);\n }\n\n .pull-quote {\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-weight: 300;\n font-style: italic;\n font-size: clamp(20px, 2.2vw, 26px);\n line-height: 1.4;\n color: var(--navy);\n padding: 28px 0 28px 26px;\n margin: 32px 0;\n border-left: 2px solid var(--accent);\n position: relative;\n }\n .pull-quote::before {\n content: \"\\201C\";\n color: var(--accent);\n font-size: 1.6em;\n line-height: 0;\n vertical-align: -0.25em;\n margin-right: 2px;\n }\n .pull-quote::after {\n content: \"\\201D\";\n color: var(--accent);\n font-size: 1.6em;\n line-height: 0;\n vertical-align: -0.25em;\n margin-left: 2px;\n }\n\n \/* Wide convention photo band above the CTA *\/\n .footer-photo {\n margin-top: 64px;\n width: 100%;\n aspect-ratio: 16 \/ 6;\n overflow: hidden;\n background: var(--cream);\n border-radius: 2px;\n position: relative;\n }\n .footer-photo img {\n width: 100%;\n height: 100%;\n object-fit: cover;\n object-position: center;\n display: block;\n transition: transform 0.8s cubic-bezier(.2,.8,.2,1);\n }\n .footer-photo:hover img {\n transform: scale(1.02);\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\n Footer note\n \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n .footer-note {\n padding: 40px 0 96px;\n text-align: center;\n }\n .footer-cta {\n font-family: 'Roboto Mono', monospace;\n font-size: 11px;\n letter-spacing: 0.22em;\n text-transform: uppercase;\n color: #ffffff;\n display: inline-flex;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 10px;\n padding: 14px 22px;\n border: 1px solid var(--accent);\n border-radius: 999px;\n text-decoration: none;\n background: var(--accent);\n transition: all 0.25s ease;\n }\n .footer-cta:hover {\n background: var(--accent-deep);\n border-color: var(--accent-deep);\n color: #ffffff;\n }\n .footer-cta::after {\n content: \"\u2192\";\n font-family: 'Roboto', sans-serif;\n font-size: 14px;\n letter-spacing: 0;\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\n Responsive\n \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n @media (max-width: 860px) {\n .wrap { padding: 0 22px; }\n .hero { padding: 50px 0 32px; }\n .session {\n grid-template-columns: 1fr;\n gap: 20px;\n padding: 38px 0 42px;\n }\n .session-left { position: static; }\n .session-num { font-size: 72px; }\n .keynote-portrait {\n float: none;\n width: 100%;\n max-width: 260px;\n margin: 0 0 20px;\n }\n .stat-row { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); }\n .stat-row .stat:nth-child(2) { border-right: none; }\n .stat-row .stat:nth-child(3),\n .stat-row .stat:nth-child(4) { border-top: 1px solid var(--line); }\n .roster-row {\n flex-wrap: wrap;\n align-items: center;\n gap: 12px;\n }\n .roster-photo { order: 0; }\n .roster-name {\n min-width: 0;\n flex: 1 1 calc(100% - 78px);\n order: 1;\n }\n .roster-role {\n flex: 1 1 100%;\n margin-left: 78px;\n margin-top: -8px;\n order: 2;\n }\n .sessions-header { padding: 16px 0 12px; }\n }\n\n \/* Reveal *\/\n .reveal {\n opacity: 0;\n transform: translateY(20px);\n transition: opacity 0.6s cubic-bezier(.2,.8,.2,1), transform 0.6s cubic-bezier(.2,.8,.2,1);\n }\n .reveal.in-view {\n opacity: 1;\n transform: translateY(0);\n }\n<\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n\n<div class=\"wrap\">\n\n <!-- Hero -->\n <section class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-content\">\n <div class=\"hero-eyebrow\">General Sessions<\/div>\n <h1>The week opens, peaks, and closes <em>here.<\/em><\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-lede\">Three main-stage moments when the whole convention is in the same hall at the same time. Here's what's on deck in 2026.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n <!-- Sessions -->\n <section class=\"sessions-section\">\n\n <div class=\"sessions-header\">\n <span class=\"sessions-counter\"><strong>3<\/strong> \u00b7 General sessions<\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n <!-- SESSION 01 \u2014 OPENING -->\n <article id=\"opening\" class=\"session reveal\">\n <div class=\"session-left\">\n <div class=\"session-num\">01<\/div>\n <div class=\"session-kicker\">Opening Session<\/div>\n <div class=\"session-when\">Mon \u00b7 9:00\u20139:30 am<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"session-body\">\n <h3 class=\"session-title\">Welcome. <em>Here's what's in store.<\/em><\/h3>\n <p class=\"session-sub\">A quick gathering before the week kicks off \u2014 leadership remarks, the state of the association, and a look at the education ahead.<\/p>\n <div class=\"session-prose\">\n <p>Two industry stalwarts open the convention as incoming President <strong>Darla Booher<\/strong> and outgoing President <strong>Don Griffin<\/strong> greet attendees and offer brief remarks.<\/p>\n <p>CEO <strong>Jeff Martin<\/strong> follows with a state-of-the-association update, and Director of Education <strong>Brent Carmichael<\/strong> gets you teed up for three days of the best education in the industry.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"roster\">\n <div class=\"roster-label\">On Stage<\/div>\n <div class=\"roster-row\">\n <span class=\"roster-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/Darla-Booher_circle-1.png\" alt=\"Darla Booher\" \/><\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-name\">Darla Booher<\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-role\">Incoming President, NIADA<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"roster-row\">\n <span class=\"roster-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/Don-Griffin_circle-copy-1.png\" alt=\"Don Griffin\" \/><\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-name\">Don Griffin<\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-role\">Outgoing President, NIADA<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"roster-row\">\n <span class=\"roster-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Jeff-Martin_circle.jpg\" alt=\"Jeff Martin\" \/><\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-name\">Jeff Martin<\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-role\">Chief Executive Officer, NIADA<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"roster-row\">\n <span class=\"roster-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Brent-Carmichael.png\" alt=\"Brent Carmichael\" \/><\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-name\">Brent Carmichael<\/span>\n <span class=\"roster-role\">Director of Education, NIADA<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sponsor\">\n <span class=\"sponsor-label\">Sponsor<\/span>\n <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sponsor-logo is-tall\" src=\"https:\/\/wp.logos-download.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Black_Book_Logo.png?dl\" alt=\"Black Book\" \/>\n <span class=\"sponsor-divider\"><\/span>\n <span class=\"sponsor-name\">Proud sponsor of the President's Ring.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n <!-- SESSION 02 \u2014 KEYNOTE -->\n <article id=\"keynote\" class=\"session reveal\">\n <div class=\"session-left\">\n <div class=\"session-num\">02<\/div>\n <div class=\"session-kicker\">Featured Keynote<\/div>\n <div class=\"session-when\">Mon \u00b7 3:00\u20134:00 pm<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"session-body\">\n <figure class=\"keynote-portrait\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Bleier_Rocky_PROMOPIC.jpg\" alt=\"Rocky Bleier, 2026 NIADA Convention keynote speaker\" \/>\n <\/figure>\n <h3 class=\"session-title\">From the rice paddies of Vietnam to <em>four Super Bowl rings.<\/em><\/h3>\n <p class=\"session-sub\">Rocky Bleier \u2014 four-time Super Bowl champion, Vietnam combat veteran, Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient \u2014 takes the main stage.<\/p>\n <div class=\"session-prose\">\n <p>A late-round NFL draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968, Rocky Bleier's path to greatness was anything but guaranteed. Shortly after joining the team, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and shipped off to Vietnam, where he was seriously wounded in combat. Through sheer will and relentless determination, he fought his way back to not only reclaim his roster spot but earn a starting position alongside Franco Harris in one of the most dominant offenses in NFL history. The result: four Super Bowl championships, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart \u2014 and a story so remarkable it became a bestselling book and an ABC television movie, both titled <em>Fighting Back<\/em>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sponsor\">\n <span class=\"sponsor-label\">Presented By<\/span>\n <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sponsor-logo\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/4\/47\/CARFAX_Logo.svg\/3840px-CARFAX_Logo.svg.png\" alt=\"Carfax\" \/>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"keynote-extended\">\n\n <div class=\"stat-row\">\n <div class=\"stat\">\n <div class=\"n\">4\u00d7<\/div>\n <div class=\"l\">Super Bowl Champion<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stat\">\n <div class=\"n\">11<\/div>\n <div class=\"l\">NFL Seasons<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stat\">\n <div class=\"n\">3,865<\/div>\n <div class=\"l\">Career Rushing Yards<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"stat\">\n <div class=\"n\">2<\/div>\n <div class=\"l\">Drafts \u2014 Steelers & U.S. Army<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <h4 class=\"sub-h\">A message built for <em>this<\/em> industry.<\/h4>\n <div class=\"session-prose\">\n <p>Running a dealership tests resilience, leadership, and adaptability every day. Bleier speaks to what it takes to compete when the odds are stacked against you \u2014 how to lead through adversity, stay the course, and forge habits under pressure. Whether you're a dealer principal, a GM, or on the sales or finance floor, his perspective offers something every member of your team can take back to the lot on Monday morning.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n <!-- SESSION 03 \u2014 CLOSING -->\n <article id=\"closing\" class=\"session reveal\">\n <div class=\"session-left\">\n <div class=\"session-num\">03<\/div>\n <div class=\"session-kicker\">Closing Session<\/div>\n <div class=\"session-when\">Wed \u00b7 11:00 am\u201312:00 pm<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"session-body\">\n <figure class=\"keynote-portrait\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/05\/Headshot-25-v1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Ryan Copacia, Automotive Principal at TikTok\" \/>\n <\/figure>\n <h3 class=\"session-title\">TikTok's role in the <em>new auto buying journey.<\/em><\/h3>\n <p class=\"session-sub\">Ryan Copacia \u2014 Automotive Principal, TikTok \u2014 closes the convention.<\/p>\n <div class=\"session-prose\">\n <p>Short-form video is a key component in today's marketing, and for many dealers, the TikTok audience is entirely unique. Join Ryan for an in-depth look at the automotive side of the platform \u2014 featuring creative video samples and analysis, plus a deep dive into the modern consumer's automotive buying behavior.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n <\/section>\n\n <!-- Convention photo above CTA -->\n <figure class=\"footer-photo\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/06\/opening-session-2048x1366-1.jpg\" alt=\"Attendees at a prior NIADA opening general session\" \/>\n <\/figure>\n\n <!-- Footer CTA -->\n <section class=\"footer-note\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/\" class=\"footer-cta\">Register for the 2026 Convention<\/a>\n <\/section>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\nconst observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {\n entries.forEach(entry => {\n if (entry.isIntersecting) {\n entry.target.classList.add(\"in-view\");\n observer.unobserve(entry.target);\n }\n });\n}, { threshold: 0.12, rootMargin: \"0px 0px -40px 0px\" });\n\ndocument.querySelectorAll(\".reveal\").forEach(el => observer.observe(el));\n<\/script>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NIADA 2026 \u2014 General Sessions General Sessions The week opens, peaks, and closes here. Three main-stage moments when the whole convention is in the same hall at the same time. Here’s what’s on deck in 2026. 3 \u00b7 General sessions 01 Opening Session Mon \u00b7 9:00\u20139:30 am Welcome. Here’s what’s in store. A quick gathering […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8746,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template\/full-width-template.php","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-10140","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>General Sessions - NIADA Convention & Expo 2026<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/niada.com\/convention\/general-sessions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"General Sessions\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"NIADA 2026 \u2014 General Sessions General Sessions The week opens, peaks, and closes here. 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