The 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas once again delivered a powerful mix of celebration, connection, and forward-looking insight for franchised dealers across the country—and WANADA members were prominently featured throughout the event.
One of the proudest moments for the Washington-area dealer community was the national recognition of Melanie Funkhouser of Fair Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM, who was honored as WANADA’s 2026 TIME Dealer of the Year nominee. Melanie’s selection reflects not only her professional excellence as a dealer principal, but also her deep commitment to community service and leadership. WANADA was honored to celebrate her achievement alongside colleagues and peers on the national stage, underscoring the caliber of dealers serving our region.
WANADA once again partnered with the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA) and the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association (MADA) to host the annual Tri-Association Reception, held this year at The Wynn Las Vegas. The event was exceptionally well attended, bringing together dealers, OEM representatives, and industry partners from across the Mid-Atlantic region.
The reception continues to be a highlight of the NADA Show—offering a valuable opportunity to strengthen regional relationships, share insights, and reinforce the collaborative spirit that defines our three associations. The strong turnout was a testament to the engagement and momentum of dealers from Virginia, Maryland, and the District.
Beyond the celebrations, the 2026 NADA Show delivered important signals about where the industry is headed—many of which carry direct relevance for WANADA members:
- Affordability and Inventory Balance: Dealers and OEMs alike emphasized the need to restore balance between pricing, incentives, and inventory levels as consumers remain highly payment-sensitive. Many sessions focused on disciplined inventory strategies rather than volume-at-all-costs growth.
- Fixed Operations as a Profit Anchor: With variable margins under pressure, fixed operations—particularly service retention, technician recruitment, and productivity—were highlighted as critical to long-term dealership stability.
- Technology with Purpose: While AI and automation remain buzzworthy, the prevailing message was practical implementation. Dealers are increasingly focused on technologies that measurably improve efficiency, customer experience, and compliance, rather than adopting tools for novelty alone.
- Workforce Development: Talent shortages, especially among technicians, continue to challenge the industry. Education, apprenticeships, and culture-building were recurring themes, reinforcing the importance of long-term workforce investment.
The 2026 NADA Show reaffirmed that despite ongoing economic and regulatory pressures, franchised dealers remain resilient, adaptive, and well-positioned to lead the future of automotive retail. WANADA members once again demonstrated leadership—locally, regionally, and nationally.
We look forward to carrying the momentum from Las Vegas into the year ahead and continuing to support our members with advocacy, education, and opportunities to connect.
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