The NATDA Trade Show & Convention in Indiana this year featured 519 dealerships-a five-percent increase over last year. According to NATDA, dealers connected with more than 83 manufacturers, a six-percent increase over last year, and 160 vendors, 47 of which were exhibiting for the first time.

“The incredible attendance and feedback we received this year shows dealers value our insightful educational topics,” said Andy Ackerman, president of NATDA.

The event began Sept. 6 with educational seminars from Sara Hey and Bob Clements of Bob Clements Intl., Jake Aschendorf of Dealer Spike, Mark Wagner of Next Level Worldwide and Shama Hyder (CEO) of Zen Media.

Before opening the show floor on Friday, NATDA treated dealers and exhibitors to a President’s Breakfast sponsored by TexTrail Trailer Parts. While there, Amy Swartz, partner enablement manager at Google, and Steve Whittington, executive vice president of Flaman Group of Companies, shed insight on creating powerful and meaningful experiences in today’s dealership climate. To close out the day, dealers stepped onto the field at Lucas Oil Stadium for an event from Redneck Trailer Supplies.

On the final day of the show, dealers voted for the winners of the 2018 NATDA New Product Awards. First-year exhibitors Link Lock LLC (first place) and Eagle Hydraulics Inc. (second place) took home the top prizes, while Gen-Y Hitch, in its third consecutive year on the podium, placed third. To close out the show, TRAIL-A-WAY and Dexter brought dealers together at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a reception that was attended by 200+ people.

NATDA will head to The America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri on Sept. 5-7 of next year for the 2019 NATDA Trade Show & Convention.