Make the Most of Your Time at NADA 2016

If you’re scheduled to attend the NADA Convention and Expo, you already know it’s a great place to get inspired and gain knowledge that will help you grow your dealership. And if you’ve been to the convention in the past, you also know there’s a lot to take in. Even the best conventions can feel like a whirlwind, but with some foresight, you can leave inspired instead of exhausted.

Here’s how to get the most out of NADA – before, during and after the show:

Before: Plan Ahead

Attending NADA is a commitment! You’re dedicating both time and resources, so it’s smart to set out a strategy for what exactly you hope to get out of it. Think about your goals for the dealership, and ask yourself:

• Are there areas we’re lacking in?
• Where can we make advances in the business?
• What opportunities should we explore over the next year? 

Take a look at the general NADA schedule and see what interests you, and then dive into the workshops to see which ones make the most sense for you to attend. This infographic has a nice breakdown of the different types of workshops available at this year’s show. And you can use the myNADAplanner to help plan your time there.

During: Be Flexible and Take Notes

Even though you’ve made a solid plan, leave room for flexibility. When you get there, don’t stick to the strategy just for the sake of sticking to it. If you’re hearing buzz about an interesting session or one turns out not to be as applicable as you thought, switch it up. The goal is to get the most bang for your buck, and sometimes that means making a new plan on the fly.

For the sessions you do attend:

• Take good notes. You’re going to be hearing a lot of info, so it’s wise to jot down main points for reference. They’ll jog your memory when you get back from the show and will serve as a great tool for sharing what you’ve learned.
• Ask questions! Take part in discussions and strike up conversations with those around you. You’ll gain a lot when you do.

In between sessions, make time to walk the exhibit hall. There’s nothing like a hands-on demo for helping you truly understand a product and how it will work for your shop. We’ll be at booth #2055C. Stop by for an in-person look at:

• Our new double scissor lift
• How fast our Shockwave Lifts really are
• Extended-height lifts
• The Rotary SmartLifts

Exhibitors are ready and willing to talk shop, so this is the perfect opportunity to see whether certain products are a fit for your dealership.

And while you’re at the show, don’t forget to tune into social and add your voice to the online discussion with #NADA2016.

After: Put it to Work

You did it! You came and you saw. You made smart choices about where to focus your energy and you took great notes. Now it’s time to put what you’ve learned into action. That might mean setting up a meeting or two to give your teams a download on what you learned. Or it could mean getting down to business.

You’ll have a lot of momentum from NADA. If you let your newfound knowledge sit for too long, you’ll lose some of it. Take a moment to catch your breath, but then get to work implementing what you’ve learned and applying the techniques and practices you heard so much about.

When you start to see your company move forward because of the knowledge you gained, you’ll know that it was truly a worthwhile investment.

Want to learn more about what a light duty lift can do for you? Take a look at our Light Duty Resource Guide.