With so much to see at the show, it’s hard to know where to start.

In just a couple of days, the best and brightest of the automotive industry will converge on Las Vegas at NADA 2020. From hopeful startups making trade show debuts to established industry stalwarts, the show floor is an overwhelming amount of stimulus to take in. And that’s not including the seminars and presentations, evening events, or Vegas itself.

There’s no shortage of advice for navigating a trade show. Conventional wisdom tells us that the best thing to do is to prepare ahead of time. While we can’t turn back the clock and give you more than a day or two to prepare for NADA 2020, we have a last-minute tip or two to help you get the most mileage out of your experience at this year’s show.

1. Reach out.

Ok, so the show is this weekend, and there’s not months left to plan ahead, or much time left to create a dawn-to-dusk comprehensive agenda for each day at the show. That doesn’t mean that it’s too late to schedule meetings with the exhibitors you want to connect with.

We have a busy NADA 2020 ahead of us here at AutoAlert. But we’d love to make time for you. Hit us up here to schedule a demo. We’ve got some exciting things in store for your dealership in 2020!

2. Network at the show and after hours.

Events like Autobash After Dark with Uncle Kracker provide a great time to unwind in a less formal atmosphere. Take advantage of evening receptions and nightly parties with others from all over the automotive industry. Enjoy time socializing with friends old and new. But please be responsible: What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but don’t go full Hangover. The idea is to have a great time you’ll never forget- not one you’ll never remember!

3. See what's new at NADA 2020.

NADA 2020 adds some new things to the show mix this year. The NADA Live Stage makes a return after a year hiatus, providing a central spot for attendees to gather to catch interviews and panels live in real time, as they happen. With a focus on digital marketing, data-minded dealers might not want to miss the new Digital Super Track workshop. Social-savvy showgoers will want to get inventive and take part in the Dealer Flash Contest by sharing selfies for a chance at a $1000 prize along with free registration for NADA 2021 in New Orleans.

4. Celebrate industry successes.

NADA is always filled with great opportunities to hear what’s driving sales and making customers happy from some of the most successful dealers in the country. This year is no different. Get insights you can apply to your business- catch live interviews from Modern Dealership at booth #3365C.

While we’re on the topic of celebrating dealerships, the TIME Dealer of the Year for 2020 will be announced at the opening general session of NADA 2020 on Friday, February 14. The award is presented each year to a new-vehicle dealer for exceptional dedication to community involvement and service. If there’s a dealership tradition worth honoring, it’s giving back to our communities. Join us in recognizing dealers who go above and beyond.

5. Keep an ear out for what's coming next.

The NADA show is one of the best places to simply observe and absorb where automotive retail is headed in the near future. From cutting-edge tech to emerging marketing trends, movers and shakers of the industry will be presenting the ideas that will shape the automotive landscape into 2020 and beyond.

From dealership culture to how to handle processes and operations, expect to hear a lot about customer centricity this year. Learn all about making your customers and their experience your dealership’s focus in our new ebook here, and be sure to stop by booth 3365C for more about preparing for the future of automotive today.

We look forward to seeing you at NADA 2020 this weekend!