NAMAD Breaks Records Before the Doors Even Opened

Before anyone walked up to register, NAMAD’s annual meeting in Las Vegas had already broken attendance records. More than 1,200 dealers, OEM leaders, and industry partners signed up early, with totals climbing toward 1,300. For Perry Watson IV, president of NAMAD, that’s not just scale—it’s momentum.

Shifting from Miami to Vegas unlocked a surge of West Coast dealers, newcomers showed up in record numbers, and OEMs flooded the room. Toyota alone sent 53 representatives. Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Mercedes followed with big contingents. As Perry put it, “You’ll never be in a room with a higher concentration of OEM reps.”

Behind the stage lights, conversations are urgent. Inventory shortages are still looming, CPO supply is shrinking, and dealers are pressing to adopt tech that reshapes the customer experience. NAMAD is responding with a five-point plan: dealer retention, capital access, training the next generation, advocacy, and awareness. Or in Perry’s words: making sure minority dealers don’t just survive, they expand.

Why This Matters Now

Dealers aren’t just chasing inventory or digital tools—they’re looking for a seat at the table. NAMAD is creating that table, with OEMs showing up in force, capital partners circling, and next-gen leaders stepping into training pipelines.

What Dealers Need to Know

• Inventory constraints will drag on for years, both new and CPO—plan accordingly.

• Tech adoption isn’t optional; customer experience is the battleground.

• NAMAD’s growth signals OEMs are serious about diverse dealer networks.

How Dealers Can Start Now

• Audit inventory management processes this quarter; build CPO strategies before the shortage peaks.

• Pilot one customer-facing tech tool by year-end—measure on CSI and transaction speed.

• Fund attendance for emerging leaders at NAMAD or WOCAN; pair with an internal sponsor for growth.

The Takeaways

Inventory pain isn’t gone—it’s shifting.
Technology separates the fast movers from the laggards.
NAMAD is no longer niche; it’s a force shaping dealer-OEM dynamics.

The biggest dealer conference you’re not paying enough attention to just broke records.