Next January, join automotive industry leaders at the 2023 National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Dallas, Texas. Known as the premier auto industry event, 2023 NADA Show features four days of education, networking, and business innovation. It sees the world’s top dealers and industry representatives.
During the show, NADA opens the NADA Expo, the marketplace where the spotlight is placed on innovations and solutions, as well as new products and services. Attendees will browse booths from the top vendors and suppliers.
In fact, exhibition space at the 2023 NADA Show is sold out, as of us writing this guide. Exhibitors who haven’t reserved their space can sign up for the wait list. So far, the exhibitor list includes over 500 auto-industry business, from brand new start-ups to established Fortune 500 companies.
Anyone who’s anyone in automotives will be there—will you?
If the answer is yes, then there are a few things you’ll need to know so that you can take full advantage of this packed event.
Looking for a local 2023 NADA Show tradeshow booth builder for the upcoming 2023 NADA Show? Contact Exhibit Experience for your complimentary consultation.
2023 NADA Show Details
Date: January 26 – 29, 2023
Location: Dallas, Texas
Venue: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
Trade show hours:
- Friday, January 27: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday, January 28: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday, January 29: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Accommodations and Hotels
NADA show organizers have partnered with more than 40 Dallas hotels to secure discounted rates for attendees and exhibitors. Learn more here.
Attendee Profile
As the premier automotive industry event, the 2023 NADA Show promises to make a splash. Attendees are there to learn the latest dealership strategies and emerging industry trends, as well as the legal and regulatory updates.
According to the 2023 Exhibitor Prospectus, the 2022 show saw 21,000 attendees and over 10,000 dealerships represented:
- 48% Individual dealerships
- 50% Chain dealerships
- 2% Publicly owned dealerships
- 2,620 Dealers
- 3,737 Managers
- 2,542 Allied industries
- 795 Internationals from 46 countries
70 percent of attendees plan to purchase a product or service in the coming year. Given their job titles, you know they have the decision-making power needed to place those orders. Attendees in 2022 held the following positions in their companies:
- 38% Dealer principal
- 26% General manager
- 10% Marketing manager
- 7% CFO/Controller
- 5% New-vehicle manager
- 4% Internet manager
- 3% Service manager
- 2% Fixed ops director
- 2% Pre-owner manager
- 1% Parts manager
What does all this mean for you, the exhibitor? It means an average of 139 leads brought home after the event!! So, putting together a great exhibit booth is key.
Exhibit Guide
Success at 2023 NADA Show depends on you and your exhibit team’s ability to draw in a crowd. Having the right booth size can help. Here are two booth sizes available and their specific advantages:
10 x 10 Exhibit Rentals
10 x 10 Exhibit Rentals are ideal for exhibitors who want to highlight or promote a single product or service. You have room for product display cases, 3D graphic wall, custom light display and flooring, and one seating configuration.
10 x 20 Exhibit Rentals
10 x 20 Exhibit Rentals are a good solution for those showing multiple products and services. You have 20 feet of graphic back wall, multiple seating configurations for demonstrations and lighting education, in addition to custom light and flooring that come standard with our exhibit rentals.
If you want to really ensure your booth has a presence at 2023 NADA Show, Exhibit Experience can help. Our dynamic LED walls with video reels, private projection rooms for closing, overhead projections, new underlit flooring, and much more will catch the eye of those buyers and draw them into your booth.
Curious about how much booths cost? Read our Costs of Exhibiting After 2021 article.
Decide if you will rent or D-I-Y your booth.
Experience is key when it comes to standing out at large-scale tradeshows. 2023 NADA Show exhibit booth rentals require expert administration, management, and design, with the show and brand needs in mind. Local tradeshow exhibit rentals from experienced booth builders, like Exhibit Experience, for the upcoming 2023 NADA Show will help you go that extra mile.
Need a reliable booth builder for the 2023 NADA Show?
Exhibit Experience is the preferred trade show booth builder for the 2023 NADA Show. We produce state-of-the-art exhibits within a variety of budgets. From custom to pre-certified exhibits, we’ll have the booth you need to show your company the right way.
We will:
- Design and build your exhibit to the right specs
- Provide 24-hour support throughout the trade show.
- Set up and take down your booth
The Exhibit Experience team has over two decades of experience delivering custom exhibits and custom modular exhibits that see instant results. Our exhibit management services are all-inclusive, from design to delivery. We will deliver your exhibit on time, on budget, and following all safety protocols.
If you are looking for a 2023 NADA Show trade show booth builder, look no further than Exhibit Experience! Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Dimensional Strategy: Selecting the Optimal Booth Size
Exhibit Experience offers customized solutions across a comprehensive range of booth dimensions to align with your specific marketing objectives, budgetary parameters, and venue requirements:
- 10′ × 10′ (100 sq ft): Entry-level presence with focused messaging
- 10′ × 20′ (200 sq ft): Enhanced linear exposure with expanded demonstration capabilities
- 20′ × 20′ (400 sq ft): Premium presence with significant impact potential in peninsula or island configurations
- 20′ × 30′ (600 sq ft): Extended engagement space allowing for multiple activity zones
- 30′ × 30′ (900 sq ft): Substantial presence enabling comprehensive brand storytelling
- 30′ × 40′ (1,200 sq ft): Commanding footprint supporting complex multi-functional exhibits
Each dimensional increment represents not simply additional square footage, but expanded strategic possibilities for engagement, demonstration, and differentiation within the competitive exhibition landscape.
Navigating Regulatory Parameters: Essential Compliance Guidelines
Successful exhibition strategy requires not only creative vision but meticulous adherence to industry regulations and venue-specific requirements. The following regulatory considerations represent critical compliance factors for all exhibitors:
1. Vertical Space Utilization & Height Restrictions
Linear/Inline Booth Regulations:
- Maximum 8′ (2.5m) height allowance at back wall
- Graduated height restrictions approaching the aisle
- 4′ (1.2m) height limitation within 5′ (1.5m) of aisle frontage
- Strict enforcement to prevent sight line obstruction
Perimeter Booth Regulations:
- Enhanced rear wall height allowance up to 12′ (3.7m)
- Maintained 4′ (1.2m) height limitation within 5′ (1.5m) of aisle
- Specific venue guidelines may apply to projection heights
Peninsula Booth Regulations:
- Height allowances typically between 16′-20′ (4.9m-6.1m)
- Potential restrictions within 5′ (1.5m) of adjoining exhibits
- Back wall finishing requirements when visible to neighboring exhibits
- Prohibition of competitor-facing logos on reverse surfaces
Split Island Booth Regulations:
- Height allowances comparable to peninsula booths (typically 16′-20′)
- Shared back wall must be finished on both sides with neutral coloration
- Branding must not intrude onto neighboring exhibitor’s space
- Typically requires coordinated approval of structural elements along shared boundary
- Specialized rules may govern sound projection toward the shared boundary
Island Booth Regulations:
- Maximum height utilization (typically 16′-20′ depending on venue)
- Ability to incorporate suspended elements with proper approvals
- Rigorous engineering certification requirements for multi-level structures
- Line-of-sight considerations for suspended signage
2. ADA Compliance Requirements: Creating Accessible Exhibits
The Americans with Disabilities Act establishes non-negotiable standards for exhibit accessibility:
- Universal Experience Mandate: Exhibits must provide substantially equivalent experiences to all attendees regardless of physical ability
- Pathway Requirements: Minimum 36″ (91cm) clear path throughout exhibit areas
- Elevation Transitions: Any raised platform exceeding ½” requires ADA-compliant ramping with specific slope ratios (1:12 maximum)
- Interactive Element Placement: Engagement features must be accessible from wheelchair height (maximum 48″ reach range)
- Audiovisual Considerations: Presentations should incorporate captioning when feasible
- Service Animal Accommodation: Sufficient clearance for service animals throughout exhibit spaces
Non-compliance with ADA requirements carries significant consequences, including potential removal from the event, financial penalties, and reputational damage. Professional exhibit partners provide invaluable guidance in designing fully compliant spaces that elegantly accommodate all visitors.
3. Spatial Boundary Enforcement
Exhibit footprints are contractually defined with zero tolerance for encroachment:
- All exhibit elements including product displays, literature racks, and furniture must remain completely within the defined booth space
- Projection of images, lighting effects, or sound beyond booth boundaries is strictly prohibited
- Suspended elements must be positioned within the vertical projection of the booth footprint
- Unauthorized marketing activities outside designated booth space (“guerrilla marketing”) may result in penalty fees or expulsion
4. Sight Line Preservation Protocol
Exhibition environments function through carefully calibrated visual accessibility:
- Structures exceeding 4′ (1.2m) in height are prohibited within the front 5′ (1.5m) of standard and perimeter booths
- Peninsula exhibits must consider neighbor visibility when positioning tall elements
- Transparent or semi-transparent materials are recommended for necessary partitions in high-traffic visibility zones
- Interactive displays must be positioned to prevent aisle congestion
5. Illumination & Electrical Safety Standards
Lighting design must balance impact with consideration for the overall exhibition environment:
- Directional lighting must be focused inward toward the exhibitor’s own space
- Strobe effects, flashing sequences, and moving lights typically require special permission
- Lighting intensity must avoid creating uncomfortable glare for attendees or neighboring exhibitors
- All electrical connections must comply with local building codes and certification requirements
- Cable management must eliminate tripping hazards through appropriate concealment or floor covering
- Power load calculations must be submitted in advance for verification against venue capacity
6. Intellectual Property & Audio Licensing Requirements
Content presentation within exhibits carries specific legal obligations:
- Music, video content, and other copyrighted materials require appropriate licensing documentation
- Performance rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC) may actively monitor compliance at major events
- Volume levels for audio content are subject to specific decibel limitations
- Scheduled presentations must adhere to show management guidelines regarding frequency and duration
- Alternative solutions include royalty-free music libraries and blanket license arrangements available through show management
Location-Specific Compliance: Navigating Regional Requirements
Major exhibition venues maintain distinct regulatory frameworks that may supplement or modify industry standards:
- Las Vegas Convention Center: Stringent fire safety requirements with specific material certification needs and unique rules for multi-level structures
- Orange County Convention Center (Orlando): Specialized electrical codes and detailed rigging regulations for suspended elements
- McCormick Place (Chicago): Union labor requirements and specific loading dock procedures that impact installation timelines
- Javits Center (New York): Enhanced security protocols and specific weight-bearing limitations for exhibit components
- International Venues: Substantially different regulatory approaches requiring specialized knowledge of local standards and certification requirements
Professional exhibit partners with experience across multiple jurisdictions provide invaluable guidance in navigating these complex and constantly evolving regulatory landscapes.
Exhibit Experience: Your Partner in Exhibition Excellence
Creating impactful, compliant trade show environments requires specialized expertise that transcends standard marketing capabilities. Exhibit Experience delivers turnkey solutions characterized by:
Comprehensive Design Integration Our design process incorporates regulatory compliance from conceptual development through final execution, eliminating costly modifications and ensuring seamless approval processes.
In-House Production Capabilities Vertical integration of manufacturing and graphic production provides unparalleled quality control while accommodating compressed timelines:
- Direct oversight of fabrication processes
- Elimination of third-party communication inefficiencies
- Rapid response capability for last-minute adjustments
- Proprietary quality control protocols exceeding industry standards
Dedicated Installation Teams Unlike providers relying on temporary labor, our specialized installation professionals:
- Maintain intimate familiarity with our proprietary systems
- Execute with precision honed through repeated collaboration
- Provide continuity from project to project
- Deliver exceptional problem-solving capabilities on-site
Strategic Geographical Positioning Our operational presence in primary exhibition hubs delivers substantial logistical advantages:
- Reduced shipping costs and transit risks
- Enhanced scheduling flexibility
- Rapid response capability for unexpected challenges
- Established relationships with venue management teams
Conclusion: Elevating Your Exhibition Strategy
Strategic trade show participation represents one of the most significant marketing investments many organizations make annually. Maximizing the return on this investment demands not just creative excellence, but sophisticated understanding of the technical, regulatory, and logistical factors that determine success.
By partnering with Exhibit Experience, you gain access to specialized expertise that transforms these complex considerations into seamless execution—allowing your team to focus on what matters most: meaningful engagement with your target audience and the advancement of your strategic objectives.
Ready to elevate your exhibition strategy? Contact Exhibit Experience today for a consultative assessment of your trade show program and discover how our integrated approach can enhance your brand presence while optimizing your marketing investment.
