On the Dash:
- Dealers entering 2026 are prioritizing fixed operations and operational efficiency over volume-driven growth.
- Main Stage speakers at NADA Show 2026 emphasize leadership, resilience and execution amid tighter margins.
- CBT News will deliver exclusive on-site coverage and interviews from Booth #2423W throughout the show.
Dealers from across the country will gather in Las Vegas Feb. 3 through Feb. 6 for the NADA Show 2026, with profitability and operational discipline front and center.
After a volatile 2025 marked by shifting demand, policy changes and tightening margins, the industry enters 2026 in what many executives describe as a back-to-basics environment. With front-end new-vehicle grosses normalizing, dealers are looking to improve what they can control, including fixed operations, finance and insurance, used vehicles and process efficiency.
Conference programming reflects that focus. Sessions emphasize fixed ops performance, deal execution, used-vehicle strategy and operational consistency across departments. Dealers are seeking practical guidance they can apply immediately, rather than chasing growth through volume alone.
Industry data supports that shift. The Kerrigan Advisors Dealer Survey conducted late in 2025 shows growing optimism for 2026, paired with realism about where profits will come from. Parts and service continue to emerge as the most reliable profit drivers, while used-vehicle sales are expected to benefit from increased off-lease returns. Analysts note that while overall U.S. sales stabilized near long-term expectations, quarterly volatility reinforced the importance of disciplined operations.
The show’s Main Stage programming sets the tone each morning, offering leadership perspectives designed to resonate with dealership operators and managers. Jon Dorenbos opens the stage on Wednesday with lessons on resilience, teamwork, and overcoming adversity. Thursday features Molly Fletcher, who brings insights from decades of negotiating at the highest levels of professional sports. The series concludes Friday with Magic Johnson, whose business career highlights leadership, entrepreneurship and long-term vision.
Beyond keynote inspiration, the show will also feature updates from NADA leadership, industry thought leaders and the presentation of the 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year award.
For dealers navigating tighter margins, the NADA Show arrives at a critical moment. The emphasis on execution, efficiency and leadership mirrors the realities many operators face heading into the year.
CBT News will be on site throughout NADA Show 2026, delivering exclusive interviews and in-depth conversations with dealers, vendors, and automotive leaders. Attendees are encouraged to stop by Booth #2423W, to hear directly from the voices shaping the industry’s next chapter.
