McLEAN, Va. -

The National Automobile Dealers Association revealed that exhibit space at its upcoming 2012 convention and expo in Las Vegas has sold out.

“Booth space for exhibitors is busting at the seams, which is another indicator the auto industry is showing signs of recovery,” explained Steve Pitt, NADA vice president of conventions and expositions. “We have a growing waiting list of companies that want to exhibit.”

For the 2012 NADA Convention and Expo, which runs Feb. 3–6, there are nearly 500 companies exhibiting in more than 1 million square feet of floor space at the Las Vegas Convention Center, according to officials. This is a 30-percent increase in the total number of exhibitors from the past convention.

Additionally, convention registration is up nearly 20 percent. Six hotels in Las Vegas have already sold out, management pointed out.

Convention planners encourage convention attendees to log on to “myNADAplanner,” an online tool that connects buyers and sellers on the expo floor, to get an advance look at the exhibitor list, as well as advertised “show specials” that will be available on the expo floor.

This also marks the first time that the American Truck Dealers Convention and Expo will be held in conjunction with the NADA convention.

For more information or to register for the 2012 NADA-ATD convention, visit www.nadaconventionandexpo.org.