They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but for the automotive industry, the insights gathered at NADA 2026 are far too valuable to leave behind.
Walking the floor(s), the energy was electric. After last year’s “freak snowstorm” in New Orleans dampened the mood, the industry returned to the desert with a vengeance. The floor was alive with everything from spinning car washes and Plinko boards to a mini-octagon (for the robots 😉).
But beneath the “visual over-stimulation” and the high-octane after-parties (like the Dave Cantin Group’s unforgettable night at LIV), three major themes emerged that will define how dealers win in 2026.
The Human-Centric Advantage in an “AI Everywhere” World
If you walked the aisles this year, you saw the letters “AI” on almost every single banner. It was the “flex” of the show. However, there’s a difference between AI as a buzzword and AI as a business solution.
Dealers aren’t looking for another tool to replace their staff; they want tools that enhance real human connections. The consensus was clear: customers expect a response 24/7. If you can’t engage a lead after hours, they’re heading to your competitor across town.
The Takeaway: Use AI to handle the “always-on” speed, but keep your people at the heart of the experience.
The TikTok Pivot: Higher ROI, Lower Saturation
For years, the conversation has been dominated by Meta. But at Booth 6519N (that was ours in case you missed us!), the buzz was all about TikTok.
Dealers are beginning to realize that TikTok isn’t just for viral dances and younger demographics, it’s a high-intent platform with a much farther reach and a significantly better ROI than many saturated traditional channels. Because the platform isn’t yet “over-crowded” by every dealership in your area, the cost-per-acquisition is incredibly favorable.
NADA Special: Missed us at the booth? We are currently running a Special TikTok Promo for dealers looking to jumpstart their 2026 growth.
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3. Relationships are the Industry’s “Moat.”
Despite the massive scale of NADA, automotive remains a surprisingly small, connected industry that, once you’re in, you tend to stay in.
We saw this at the sMedia booth, in the thoughtful strategy sessions with our partners across the exhibit hall, and especially at Shaun’s Misfits Karaoke Party at Dino’s Lounge, which we were proud to co-sponsor. Seeing one of our own absolutely crush it on stage was a reminder that while tech moves the needle, the people and our connections move the industry.
Progress still happens person-to-person. Whether it was a quick Nespresso with our CEO, Erin and Head of Growth, Alecia or a deep dive into performance, those interactions reinforced that even with evolving purchase paths, the dealer is more important than ever to the vehicle ownership cycle.
What’s Next?
NADA 2026 was filled with high-energy and fast-paced conversations. While it felt like it was over in the blink of an eye, and we were all of a sudden back at our desks, we left encouraged by the momentum and focused on the work ahead.
If you didn’t make it to the North Hall, or if the sheer size of the show kept us from connecting, it’s never too late. Our team is here and ready to talk growth and how to own your backyard.
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