For Immediate Release:   

NATDA Announces 2008 Trade Show and Convention in Fort Worth, Texas.

(South Pasadena, Florida)  The North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA) announces the first of its kind trade show and convention for trailer dealers.  The NATDA 2008 Trade Show & Convention is to be held August 27-29, 2008 at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

The NATDA 2008 Trade Show and Convention is focused on bringing the trailer manufacturers and vendors together for the sole purpose of competing for the trailer dealers business.  This is the only show that offers education, products, and services geared specifically for the trailer dealers.  It will quickly become the “must see” event for the trailer industry.  In the past, manufacturers and vendors would have to search to find the right dealer to sell their product line to.  We will bring more potential dealer prospects to a manufacturer or vendor in a three day period than they could ever reach out to on their own.  We’re very excited about having our first event in Fort Worth because it’s such an amazing city.  Great restaurants, great shopping, and great people.” said Amy Rubenstein vice president and co-founder of NATDA.

The three day event will consist of dealer education, manufacturer and vendor displays, product demonstrations, workshops, and receptions.  This show will even host technology vendors with software systems like finance programs, dealer management systems and even trailer rental software programs.  The highlight of the show will be the vehicle giveaway.  “I can’t tell you which vehicle it is, but what I can say is that it has four wheels and a bed and it will be loaded with products from our vendors at the show.” said Rubenstein.  The vehicle raffle will take place at the end of the show, and only trailer dealers in attendance will be eligible to win it.   

Dealer education has been a very hot topic of conversation and it will be a focal point of the convention.  “The days of a dealer making a living by just selling trailers are quickly coming to an end.  Dealers are starting to run their operations more like the auto industry, meaning sales, parts, service and finance are all departments within the dealership that need to be held accountable to achieve profit.  Dealers have had no where to turn for education and training and that is exactly what we will provide” said Rubenstein.

In continuing the quest to build better relationships between dealers and manufacturers, NATDA is providing, at no additional charge, meeting rooms for trailer manufacturers to be able to host dealer meetings during the convention.  These rooms and set-ups will be available at no charge to manufacturers exhibiting at the trade show and are available in limited numbers.  “I have been asked to speak at many manufacturer meetings, and besides being very costly to put on, many are filled with vendors and guest speakers to provide education for the meeting.  Our idea was for manufacturers to be able to host a 2-3 hour meeting to discuss the “meat and potatoes” topics that deal directly with their own dealer base, and leave the guest speakers, and education to us.”  said Andy Ackerman, president and co-founder of NATDA.  “Having dealer meetings during the convention is a great convenience since the dealers will already be there for the convention.  We want to encourage interaction between the dealers and manufacturers at the show.”  said Ackerman.  

 “This is the first time that a show of this nature has been hosted. We fully expect this to be a sold out show and I encourage potential vendors and manufacturers to reserve space quickly.  We already have a long list of companies that wanted to reserve their spot in the show and it hadn’t even been announced.” Ackerman said. The NATDA 2008 Trade Show & Convention will encompass over 140,000 sq ft of floor space at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

For more information or to reserve your trade show space for the 2008 Trade Show & Convention visit the NATDA website at http://www.natda.org/ or call (727) 360-0304.

We're all looking forward to it.  Thanks!

Dave Mattern
Horse Trailer World