You’re staring at the NADA 2026 agenda, the largest gathering in automotive retail, half excited, half terrified. Excited because this year the scale climbs even higher, thousands of dealers, hundreds of OEMs, and technology leaders all under one roof, and there’s no better place to get ahead of the curve.
Terrified because you know what comes next: the raised eyebrow, the quiet math around coverage and travel that ends with, “Do we really need this?” Fair question. Stepping away from the store, even for a few days, always comes at a cost.
Here’s how to make the case that attending NADA 2026 is worth it, for the dealership, not just you.
Why the NADA 2026 Show Matters?
NADA Show 2026 sits at the center of automotive retail decision-making. Taking place February 3–6, 2026, in Las Vegas, it brings together dealers, OEMs, and industry leaders to discuss real operational challenges, evaluate ideas, and shape how dealerships will sell, operate, and grow in the year ahead.
You’ll get:
- Operational strategies you can take back, covering inventory, pricing, staffing, AI, and digital retail execution.
- Real-world insights from dealer principals, GMs, and operators sharing what’s working on the floor right now.
- Direct access to OEMs and solution builders for conversations that rarely happen over email or Zoom.
- Peer discussions that sharpen decisions, helping you avoid costly bets and focus on what truly drives performance.
Making the Case: Getting Approval for NADA 2026
Getting approval isn’t about pushing for a yes. It’s about showing you’ve thought through the value, the cost, and the outcomes. This section helps you frame NADA 2026 as a considered business decision, not a calendar add-on.
#Step 1: Know Exactly What NADA Show 2026 Offers
Before you talk to your boss, build a clear picture of what the NADA Show 2026 actually is, what it offers, and how it connects to your role and your dealership’s goals.
Have answers ready for:
- How long NADA has been running and why it sets industry direction
- Who attends (dealers, decision-makers, solution builders) & networking opportunities
- Dates and times away from the dealership, along with cost-saving options
- Session formats: super sessions, live demos, expo conversations
#Step 2: Create an agenda with workshops and sessions you’d wish to attend
The goal here isn’t to show you can sit in every session, but that you chose the right ones with outcomes that matter to your dealership. Create a short outline of the sessions you plan to attend and add a clear justification for each.
You could frame it like this:
“Attending Brian Benstock’s session at NADA Show 2026 aligns with our focus on improving operational discipline across sales and service. His approach to combining data, process, and accountability offers practical insight into how high-performing dealerships drive consistent results.”
Jot down whose session/workshop you plan to attend and why? Below are some examples:
Danny Zaslavsky (VINCUE President & Co-Founder & Country Hill Motors)
For a perspective on how dealers are using technology and intelligence to move faster on inventory and customer engagement.
Molly Fletcher (Former Sports Agent, Author, Speaker)
Her sessions focus on negotiation, leadership under pressure, and building long-term relationships.
#STEP 3: Highlight Top Reasons & Value to Your Dealership
This is where you connect the dots for your boss. Not why the NADA show is popular but why your presence makes sense.
Reason #1: Learning and Development
Start with hands-on education built for real dealerships. Led by industry leaders, and practitioners on the NADA stage, the sessions, workshops, and keynotes spotlight practical ideas for buying smarter, selling higher, and better execution. These are takeaways you can carry back to your team, test immediately, and start working immediately.
Reason #2: Networking Opportunities
With approximately 10,000+ dealerships, hundreds of OEM leaders, and thousands of solution partners under one roof, NADA Show 2026 brings the industry’s decision-makers into the same rooms. You could be exchanging insights with a dealer from Greenway, which operates over 34 rooftops, or sitting just a few seats away from leaders at OEMs like Ford or Toyota.
Reason #3: Skill Enhancement & Knowledge Sharing
Tie your ask to the work you already own or the role you’re currently in. Map out the sessions and workshops that map directly to your day-to-day responsibilities and explain how those learnings help you spot better tools and processes.
Tip: You can also commit to bringing it back to the team through a short debrief, a working session, or a practical walkthrough of all the learnings.
Reason #4: Structure the Pitch Around ROI (The ‘What’s In It For Them’)
Spell out what actually comes back to the dealership. That might be a process you can tighten immediately, a smarter approach shared by dealerships already winning their game, or a vendor conversation that addresses a problem you’ve been working around for months. It could mean testing tools like VINI by Spyne to add trade-cycle intelligence and make sure every lead gets a timely response across calls, chat, and every digital touchpoint, in real time.
Reason #5: Budget Consciousness & Potential Savings
Show that you’ve run the numbers and planned for the show efficiently. NADA members pay significantly less than non-members, which can offset a large part of the cost. Pair that with early registration and smarter travel bookings. Frame the trip as a calculated investment with a clear return, not an open-ended expense.
When Your Manager Pushes Back: Here’s What to Say
“Why is this worth spending right now?”
Your response: NADA concentrates what we’d usually spend across training, consultants, and vendor research into one trip. Early registration and planned travel keep costs controlled, while the ideas brought back can cut recurring expenses.
“Who covers the work while the team is gone?”
Your response: Three focused days can replace months of trial and error. I’ll attend with a clear agenda, bring back notes, contacts, and action items the team can apply without losing momentum.
“What will change in our operations after you’re back?”
Your response: We’ll walk away with clear actions, not notes. That could mean piloting AI agents to cover missed leads, simplifying our tech stack, or tightening handoffs between sales and service. The goal is immediate improvements we can test within weeks, not months.
“How do we measure the ROI?”
Your response: Success shows up in concrete outcomes, faster lead response, reduced software spend, cleaner workflows, and at least one initiative we pilot within 30 days.
“This isn’t a priority right now.”
Your response: Waiting limits options. Early decisions lock in lower costs and better access to sessions and meetings that fill up fast, giving us a stronger return before the year even picks up speed.
Formal Request to Attend NADA Show 2026
Once you’re clear on the value and possible objections, write a short, direct note to your manager. Here’s a sample email you can use to make the ask clearly and confidently.
Subject: Request to Attend NADA Show 2026 (Feb 3–6, Las Vegas, NV)
Hi [Name],
I’d like to request approval to attend NADA Show 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada from February 3–6. I’ve spent time aligning the agenda with our current strategic priorities and identified sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities that directly support our goals in operations, technology, and customer experience.
At NADA Show 2026, I aim to focus on:
- Educational sessions and Super Sessions from a program packed with dealer-led workshops and practical takeaways we can apply quickly.
- Expo-floor conversations across 600+ solution providers and OEMs, allowing side-by-side evaluation of tools and strategies.
- Peer conversations with dealership leaders nationwide, gathering real insights on what’s working now and what’s not.
I’ve outlined a clear agenda tied to current priorities and can walk you through the expected outcomes. I’ll also commit to a structured debrief with the team once I return so the value extends beyond just my attendance.
I’ve planned for cost efficiency with early registration and mindful travel arrangements, and I view this as a thoughtful investment in skill enhancement and competitive insight, not just another conference expense.
Please let me know if you’d like to review the agenda together or have any questions. I appreciate your consideration.
Best Regards,
[Your Name]
Ready to make the formal ask?
As the industry’s most influential gathering, NADA Show 2026 brings real answers to real dealership challenges. With this blog, the aim was to help you make a better case, show the upside, and go prepared.
And while you’re there, stop by Spyne’s Booth #7729N or book an appointment ahead of time to see AI powering real dealership workflows, live.
