McLEAN, Va. (April 22, 2013) - As part of an NADA Convention and Expo strategic initiative, a select group of exhibitors were invited to a special session earlier this month to look for ways to improve the convention experience for all participants.

Representatives from 13 exhibiting companies participated in the session, which was held in Dallas on April 3. The session was facilitated by Freeman, a leading provider of integrated services for brand-building events, including expos and conventions. Each year, a panel of new exhibitors will be selected to participate in the session.

"This has turned out to be a perfect way to come up with new ideas that we can use to build a more enriching experience at future NADA conventions," said Steve Pitt, NADA vice president of conventions and expositions.

The companies participating in the innovation session represented a broad spectrum of product categories, booth sizes and seniority status as NADA convention exhibitors.

"Working with our exhibit partners, this program will help ensure that the NADA convention will continue to be a catalyst for change, growth and innovation for years to come," Pitt added. "As one of the Top-100 ranked tradeshows in the U.S., we're building on the brand image of the NADA convention as the auto industry event of the year."

Last year, participating companies offered a number of innovations and improvements that made the 2013 NADA convention in Orlando, Fla., one of the most successful in recent history, Pitt said. Next year, exhibitors will be invited to participate in the session during the convention in New Orleans.

For more information, contact Connie Mikels, NADA director of expositions, at 703.448.5861 or cmikels@nada.org.