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NADA is back in Las Vegas, and NADA 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest shows yet.
With hundreds of exhibitors, packed training sessions, and nonstop conversations around AI, automation, and efficiency, it is easy to leave the show exhausted and overwhelmed rather than informed.
We asked several Dealer Image Pro team members attending NADA 2026 to share their best advice for getting more value from the show. Their insights all point to one clear theme.
Preparation matters more than ever.
Step One: Go Into NADA With a Plan
One of the most common mistakes dealers make at NADA is showing up without a clear plan.
Kate from the Dealer Image Pro team puts it plainly:
“A common mistake that I’ve seen at NADA is that some dealers go in without a vendor plan, who they want to see, and what they are looking to solve.”
With limited time between booths, meetings, and education sessions, wandering the expo floor without direction leads to missed opportunities.
Eva echoes this idea and emphasizes pre planning your time:
“With 600 plus exhibitors showing the latest tools and solutions, having a targeted list of booths to visit helps you focus on technologies and partners that can actually move your business forward.”
Before you arrive in Las Vegas, identify:
- The challenges you are trying to solve
- The vendors aligned with those problems
- Which conversations are worth your limited time
Step Two: Schedule Meetings and Demos in Advance
NADA is not the place to rely on last minute availability.
Zak strongly recommends booking demos ahead of time, especially with service providers:
“After doing your initial research on a company, I strongly recommend scheduling a demo. A demo gives you an early look into not only the product, but also the quality of the team supporting it.”
Scheduling demos allows you to:
- Get guaranteed face time
- Ask better questions
- Evaluate real workflows and outcomes
- Avoid rushing conversations on the expo floor
It also helps you compare vendors more effectively, rather than relying on surface level impressions.
Step Three: Be Selective About Which Booths You Visit
Not every booth is worth your time.
Rafa offers a simple filter dealers should use when deciding where to stop:
“For me, it comes down to one thing. Is this going to help me move inventory faster and reduce aged units? If a booth can’t tie what they do back to real results, it’s probably not worth the time.”
Flashy presentations and buzzwords are everywhere at NADA. What matters is whether a vendor can clearly connect their solution to measurable dealership outcomes.
Focus on booths that can show:
- Real dealer results
- Process improvement
- Faster merchandising
- Operational efficiency
Step Four: Look for Technology That Simplifies, Not Complicates
AI will be everywhere at NADA 2026. But not all AI is created equal.
Rich advises dealers to dig deeper than the buzzwords:
“Dealers should prioritize technology partners that deliver clear ROI, seamless integrations, and practical AI that simplifies operations, not adds complexity.”
The best technology partners will:
- Demonstrate real dealer outcomes
- Show how their solution fits into existing workflows
- Offer a clear product roadmap
- Commit to long term partnership
If a solution creates more work for your team, it is not a solution.s up merchandising.
Step Five: Think About Execution, Not Just Tools
Jason highlights an important shift dealers should be thinking about heading into NADA 2026:
“Most dealerships don’t have a tech problem. They have a throughput problem.”
Dealers are constantly asked to adopt new tools, new processes, and new systems. Without rethinking roles, handoffs, and execution, even the best technology will fall flat.
This year at NADA, the most valuable conversations will be about:
- How teams execute change
- Whether processes can scale
- How to simplify rather than stack tools
Step Six: Manage Your Time and Energy
NADA is a long few days with a lot happening at once. The dealers who get the most value are not the ones trying to do everything. They are the ones who manage their time and energy wisely.
KJ shared a simple but important reminder:
“Drink lots of water, don’t party too hard, and go into it with a thought-out schedule.”
Long days on the show floor, early mornings, late dinners, and nonstop conversations add up quickly. Having a realistic schedule helps you stay focused and make better decisions.
Build in time to:
- Take breaks between meetings
- Sit down and review notes
- Skip anything that does not align with your priorities
NADA is not about how many booths you visit. It is about having the right conversations while you are clear headed and engaged.
Why We Are Excited for NADA 2026
Beyond the business conversations, NADA is about people.
Eva shares what she looks forward to most:
“It’s always great to see our partners in person. I really value the face to face time and the opportunity to strengthen those relationships.”
Rafa adds:
“That face to face connection just hits different and builds real trust faster.”
And for Kate, this year is especially meaningful:
“This is my first NADA with Dealer Image Pro, and I’m so excited to show off our booth and honestly help solve a lot of dealers’ problems with time to line and poor quality images.”
If inventory merchandising, speed to market, and photo consistency are on your list this year, we would love to connect.
📍 Booth #5300W
🕟 Book a 15 minute demo
🎁 Pre book and attend your demo to receive a $50 gift card
A short demo is the easiest way to see how Dealer Image Pro helps dealerships simplify workflows, improve inventory presentation, and move vehicles faster.
Book your time before the show and lock in your demo.
We will see you in Las Vegas!
