ARLINGTON, Texas -

Before the 2016 NIADA Convention and Expo had begun, it was already a record-breaker.

Now that the final numbers are in, the extent by which that record was broken is clear – and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association says it’s impressive.

Officials highlighted on Thursday that NIADA’s 70th annual gathering, held earlier this month at The Mirage in Las Vegas, obliterated the attendance mark by a staggering 24 percent. The previous record was set at the 2006 Convention and Expo at the Las Vegas Hilton.

NIADA indicated overall attendance was up for the fourth consecutive year, with the number of dealer attendees rising 32 percent from the 2015 convention and first-time attendees up by 30 percent. Almost 20 percent of attendees were first-timers.

The association mentioned reviews from attendees of all types were overwhelmingly positive. Here are a few samples:

“The people of NIADA make it feel like family. … This is the Cadillac of events,” said Joe Mok of G Motor Cars in Arlington Heights, Ill.

“I got what I came for. I wanted to learn new ways to take my business to the next level, and I'll be spending the next several months implementing what I learned at my dealership. It was the most informative convention I have attended,” said Sean Schuetz of Klass Motors in Santa Ana, Calif.

“The dealers who attend the NIADA Convention have an unfair advantage over the competition, and I love that,” said Alex Tovstanovsky of Prestige Motor Works in Naperville, Ill.

Among attendees who responded to NIADA's post-convention survey, 91.5 percent said they were satisfied with the event — and none selected “dissatisfied.”

In addition, 92 percent said the information presented was “extremely useful” or “quite useful,” and 94.5 percent said the convention achieved their objectives. Another 96.4 percent said they are likely to attend future NIADA events and 94.7 percent said they are likely to recommend NIADA events to others.

“I can honestly say my experience was far above and beyond my expectations,” said Daniel Johnson of LiteHouse Auto in Lakewood, N.Y., a first-time attendee. “We will not miss a convention from here on out.”

The exhibitor survey yielded similar results — a 91 percent satisfaction rating and 87 percent saying they met their objectives and are likely to exhibit at the 2017 Convention and Expo.

“The NIADA Convention’s ROI to us is significant,” said Jenny Rappaport of EFG Companies, “and you will see us there again next year.”

The 2016 Convention's theme of "Success By Reinvention" was appropriate, as NIADA reinvented its premier event with a new venue — the recently renovated Mirage — a sold-out 60,000-square foot Expo Hall with more than 170 exhibitors and the most extensive dealer education agenda in its 70-year history, featuring more sessions on more topics than ever before.

Part of that increase was a result of NIADA's December acquisition of the assets of Leedom and Associates, including the BHPH World Convention. Some components of that conference were added to the NIADA Convention’s already robust training, allowing NIADA to significantly expand its Buy Here-Pay Here and subprime education.

Among the featured speakers were NIADA director of dealer development Joe Lescota, NIADA national director of 20 Groups Chuck Bonanno and NIADA senior vice president for legal and government affairs Shaun Petersen, part of a used vehicle industry who's who that also included TrueCar chief executive officer Chip Perry, Autotrader’s Howard Polirer, Equifax’s Angelica Jeffreys, AutoZone's Ray Curry, NABD president Ken Shilson, Cox Automotive economist Tom Webb and more.

The 2017 NIADA Convention and Expo will be back at The Mirage and is scheduled for June 12-15, 2017.

“This year’s NIADA Convention may have been my first, but it most definitely won't be my last,” vAuto founder Dale Pollak said.