2005 NADA CONVENTION OPENS IN NEW ORLEANS
 The unbuckling "crewe" (left to right): NADA chairman-elect Jack Kain, convention chairman Bill Underriner, Smith, Miss Louisiana Jennifer Dupont, and NADA president Phil Brady |
January 29, 2005— Autoexec magazine reported that the NADA’s 2005 convention opened this morning with the traditional seat-belt unbuckling ceremony—officiated by NADA chairman Charley Smith—admitting dealers to the exhibit floor. This year’s show is expected to host some 28,000 attendees, who will find 600-plus exhibits spread over a record 353,000-plus square feet of floor space. This year’s event will also feature 49 concurrent workshops. Smith, accompanied by the Olympia Brass Band, then led NADA dignitaries and guests in a hand-clapping march through the exhibition hall.