NATDA Magazine Nov/Dec 2019 NM_Nov2019_Final | Page 54

2020 NATDA Trailer Show Looking ahead to Nashville in 2020, the North American Trailer Dealers Association is excited to announce a reformatting of its annual show. Starting in 2020, the reimagined NATDA Trailer Show will become North America’s largest show specifically for members of the entire trailer industry. Whether you’re a dealer, salesperson, technician, manufacturer, supplier or member of an office team, the NATDA Trailer Show will be the best way to see the latest trailers, high-quality products and innovative trailer parts. To provide a clearer identity for each member of the trailer industry, the NATDA Trailer Show will feature three distinct segments – Dealership Performance Training, the Trailer Parts Expo and The Trailer Show. Dealership Performance Training Like its predecessor, Dealer Education, Dealership Performance Training will consist of a full day of educational content for the entire dealership. For those working in an office capacity, NATDA will continue to provide high-quality, topical workshops on marketing, business strategy, sales, employee relations and more. This year, NATDA will reach even farther into the dealership, dedicating an entire day to providing hands-on technical training to your dealership’s technicians. From advanced courses for seasoned veterans to introductory courses for the men and women you just hired, NATDA’s new technical programs, conducted by the biggest names in the industry, will guarantee that your technicians are prepared for any customer that steps into your service center. Trailer Parts Expo Since 2017, the NATDA Trade Show & Convention has resulted in an average of over 245 exhibitors each year. With around 165 vendors and 80 manufacturing brands, the show has truly become the largest trailer-and-truck-bed-specific show in North America. Additionally, each show has introduced over 50 new companies to the ranks of the association. 54 While the main objective has been to introduce these companies to dealerships, we think the time is right to provide a platform for these exhibiting members to conduct business between themselves. The Trailer Parts Expo, a two-hour networking event in the middle of what will be the largest Dealers Lounge in show history, is that platform. Members of exhibiting companies will enjoy food, drinks and entertainment while discover the latest products in the trailer industry. The Trailer Show While used as an umbrella term of the entire event, The Trailer Show is also the name of the 2-day expo event held specifically for trailer dealers. Dealers will walk the halls to search out the latest trailering products to add to their parts inventory, discover the newest trailer or truck bed models that their customers are asking for and networking with their current manufacturers face- to-face while enjoying all the annual parties the show has to offer. In St. Louis, 25+ new products made their debut at the show, including items from companies such as CURT Group, Dexter, REDARC Electronics, Redneck Trailer Supplies, Taskmaster Components and more. Manufacturers hopped in on the action as well, displaying over 44 new trailer models at the show for the very first time. Companies such as Big Tex Trailers, Legend Manufacturing, Inc., Norstar, Sundowner and Sure-Trac by Novae and more highlighted the modern feats of trailer and truck bed manufacturing Though the association has expanded its footprint to provide events for even more people, its core mission remains the same – to serve the light and medium-duty trailer industry. Through this year’s show expansion, NATDA will provide interactive events for every piece of the trailer and truck bed supply chain – from salespeople and technicians to manufacturers and suppliers. The association’s return to Nashville, TN on September 2-4 will undoubtedly be the most exciting show to date for the trailer industry. NATDA Magazine www.natda.org