The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association hosted a leadership meeting in Dallas this week, gathering state executive directors, staff and board presidents for two days of training, networking and exchanging ideas.

NIADA’s board of directors also presented the association’s five-year strategic plan, which included:

—Growing education and resources for dealers

—Expanding advocacy efforts

—Increasing membership

—Improving communications

—Strengthening the financial foundation

“We had a great response from the executives and the state presidents. It shows how we can partner together to build a stronger industry,” NIADA president Don Griffin said.

“The plan is not about national, but a partnership to help move the industry forward,” Griffin added.

Breakout sessions during the leadership meeting included information on advocacy efforts, holding board meetings, budgeting, planning for events, member engagement, filing financial documents and using association management software.

Russell Moore of Top Notch Used Cars in Conroe, Texas, is the president-elect for the Texas IADA. Moore said the training will help him and the association’s new executive director Trevor Jennings grow.

“Some of the education was really eye-opening for him and me,” Moore said. “This gives us some time to reflect and learn what not to do as much as what to do. It helps us to stay in our lane as leaders.”

Some education sessions already set for annual convention

In other association news, NIADA also highlighted some of the educational sessions orchestrated by dealers already scheduled for its annual convention, which begins on June 21 in Denver.

Tracy Myers of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, N.C., will present, “From Crickets to Chaos: Marketing that Blows Up Your Lot in 2026.” Myers will arm dealers with traffic-driving marketing strategies.

Meg Jones of Ace Auto Sales in Fyffe, Ala., will teach dealers how to drive traffic with video during “Dominate Video Marketing — No Dancing Required.” Jones will give dealers a “plug-and-play” strategy to video marketing utilizing time-saving production tools.

All told, NIADA said it’s organizing more than 50 hours of educational sessions during the convention that will be touching on nearly every aspect of dealer operations.

Nick Markosian operates Markosian Auto in Salt Lake City.

“That convention is where you go if you’re a used car dealer,” Markosian said. “You get to meet up with all your vendors and you get incredibly cool nuggets from fellow dealers. There are tons of dealer panels, and for me, personally, hearing from people who are actually boots on the ground and getting advice from them is just huge for me. I bring my whole crew out.”

Early-bird registration is now open at niada.com/convention. The current dealer member rate is $545 per person, a $300 savings from the on-site registration fee of $845.

Hotel registration will also open with a special discount rate of $249 per night, plus resort fee and taxes.

The discounted hotel rate ends May 20 or when the room block sells out.