NATDA Magazine Nov/Dec 2019 NM_Nov2019_Final | Page 8

From the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank you for yet another fantastic year for the association. The 2019 NATDA Trade Show & Convention in St. Louis, Missouri was the culmination of a lot of hard work and we couldn’t do it without you – our members. Without your incredible support, this association would not be able to provide the resources that it does to the industry across North America. Yet again, the 2019 NATDA Trade Show & Convention brought out the best in the industry. 164 vendors and 81 manufacturing brands, including 42 first- time exhibitors, made their way to the America’s Center for this year’s show. While there, trailer dealers were educated on a variety of topics from Action RV, Big Tex Trailers, DealerPRO Training, Kenect, Morgan Stanley, TransSafe Consulting and White Spruce Trailer Sales. Dealers finished with the annual Dealer Reception sponsored by Redneck Trailer Supplies on Friday and various St. Louis festivities from TRAIL-A-WAY (developed by Waymire Distribution) on Saturday. The NATDA Trade Show & Convention provided a fun, informative getaway for dealers, but 2019 provided much more. NATDA partnered with two new companies to provide exciting, innovative member benefits. Dealer Spike, a Google Premier Partner, now offers members custom-designed websites to draw in business, drive traffic and increase web leads. Meanwhile, Kenect gives you the ability to send and receive text messages from your existing business’ phone line, increasing efficiency in service and sales while providing a greater customer experience. Both additions, and our existing benefit offerings, give members the ability to take customer retention into their own hands. Looking ahead, the association will reformat our annual trade show. We’re adding new components to the expo, now known as the NATDA Trailer Show, designed to provide something to everyone in the trailer industry. NATDA Dealership Performance Training will provide educational workshops to those in sales, marketing, management – and technicians. The new Trailer Parts Expo taking place the day prior to the show, gives manufacturers much needed one- on-one time with suppliers and other industry professionals. And, of course, the 2-day expo hall event will showcase the latest products the industry has to offer. It seems every year the association heads for bigger and better things. 2020 will be no different. We’re thankful to have support from an incredible community of dealers, vendors and manufacturers such as yourself. We look forward to seeing you Nashville, TN from September 2-4, 2020 for the 2020 NATDA Trailer Show! 8 NATDA Magazine www.natda.org