2010 Orlando NADA Convention Recapitulation

 I think this was one of the best NADA conventions I’ve ever attended.  Dealer attendance was up from last year, but still significantly down from years past, it’s not all about quantity.  The quality of engagement, conversation, networking and learning was outstanding!  Here are a few random thoughts and notes that a few days after the convention are still resonating with me:

• Driving Sales is going to be huge.  That’s not a news flash or an outlandish prediction but Jared Hamilton’s a huge rising star and with some recent tweaks, the site will become more and more useful as an industry resource and community.  #justsayin…
• A few shots have been fired at GOSO recently and I was surprised myself that their booth wasn’t more well attended or a bigger splash.  I had predicted they’d be one of the biggest buzz makers at NADA and that didn’t really happen.  Don’t get me wrong, I think their Facebook application for inventory is slick but it’s not exactly difficult to replicate.  They’ve got a nice presentation; it just didn’t show well at NADA.
• The one booth I didn’t get a chance to see that did generate some positive buzz was Dealer Mouth.  I need to check them out… seems like they were one of the surprise winners.
• The NADA workshops were seemingly well attended.  This was my first time as a workshop speaker and I definitely had it easy with a great panel, but our sessions were standing-room-only and many others were as well.    I think this just goes to show how engaged the dealers were at this show.  If you haven’t heard Suzuki of Wichita’s story and how they operate, I suggest you do!  Changing the way things are done!  Special thanks to Eric Miltsch of AuctionDirect, Tom White Jr of Suzuki of Wichita and Paul Potratz of Potratz Advertising.
• I’m a little biased but this was the first time Dominion Dealer Solutions really came together under their brand and the booth was busy the entire show.  It presented well, looked great and sparked dealer interest.  The ultimate goal of packaging together integrations between their powerful brands is in progress but even now some offerings have realized these synergies and special pricing packages have been put together.  Pretty cool to see this emerging.
• Perhaps I had low expectations but the Dealer Track Open-Track event was really well attended.  It looks like they increased the number of marketers, evangelists and promoters of their product that night.  And, of course, the DT party was great afterwards.  Cuba Libre is an awesome place. 
• I think one of the best things Dealer.com has going for them is how actively engaged their personnel are in the industry.  They are everywhere, engaged everywhere, learning and sharing everywhere… speaks well of their entire organization.  They have a very good product but the people in their organization make them who they are!
• And I think Rafi Hamid has cloned himself…  I see him too frequently in too many places for Rafi to be one person.  In fact, I think I saw him with and without a beard within minutes of each other.  Keep an eye out for that…