NADA Show 2027: Orlando attendee travel guide

Produced by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), NADA Show 2027 brings dealers, managers, automakers, exhibitors, and other automotive retail professionals together for four days of education, franchise meetings, networking, and the NADA Expo.[1][2] Planning your hotel, airport transportation, and agenda before you arrive can help you spend more of the week evaluating relevant products, exchanging ideas with other dealers, and returning to your dealership with useful priorities and clear next steps.

What is NADA Show and who is it for?

NADA Show is an annual automotive retail event produced by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). It brings franchised new-car and new-truck dealers, dealership managers and employees, automaker representatives, exhibitors, and other industry professionals together for education, franchise meetings, networking, and the NADA Expo.^[1][2] NADA Show 2027 takes place Feb. 17-20 at the Orange County Convention Center’s West Concourse in Orlando.^[1]

The event is designed for people who own, operate, or work with franchised dealerships and isn’t open to the general public. Attendees include dealer principals, general managers, fixed operations leaders, sales and finance professionals, marketing and digital retail teams, OEM representatives, and professionals from companies that serve the automotive retail industry.^[2]

Education includes workshops, Super Sessions, Spotlight Series presentations, Exchange peer discussions, Dealer Learning Lab sessions, and Main Stage programming. The NADA Expo, open Thursday through Saturday, features hundreds of companies presenting products, technologies, and services for dealership operations, sales, service, finance, marketing, and customer experience.^[3][4][11]

Before you arrive, identify the dealership priorities, franchise meetings, education sessions, and vendors most relevant to your goals. A clear plan can help you balance scheduled programming with enough time to compare products, speak with exhibitors, and exchange ideas with other automotive retail professionals.

What makes NADA Show 2027 worth the trip

NADA Show gives attendees opportunities to compare dealership products in person, watch live demonstrations, meet directly with automaker representatives, and exchange ideas with dealers and managers facing similar operational challenges. Whether you’re evaluating technology, improving department performance, attending meetings with your franchise brands, or looking for new approaches to leadership and customer experience, the event brings together conversations and experiences that can be difficult to replicate remotely.

Plan your time around these in-person experiences:

• NADA Expo: Compare products, technologies, and services from hundreds of companies serving dealership sales, service, finance, marketing, customer experience, and operations.^[11]
• Main Stage: Hear featured speakers Ryan Estis, Patrick Lencioni, and Magic Johnson, along with NADA leadership and the presentation of the 2027 TIME Dealer of the Year.^[14]
• Exchange sessions: Join peer-led discussions where dealers and managers can share experiences and work through common dealership challenges.^[5]
• Franchise meetings: Attend brand-specific meetings with automaker representatives throughout the show.
• Welcome Reception: Network with other attendees during an exclusive Wednesday-evening event at Universal Epic Universe; a separate ticket may be required.^[2][3]
• Super Sessions: Take a deeper look at major topics affecting automotive retail during extended sessions at the beginning and end of the show.^[3]

Before you arrive, decide what you want to bring back to your dealership, whether that’s a vendor shortlist, ideas for improving fixed operations, insights from your franchise meetings, or new industry connections. Those priorities can help you choose the most relevant sessions, exhibitors, and conversations while leaving room for useful discoveries on the Expo floor.

Where to stay for NADA Show 2027

Choose your hotel based on its route to the Orange County Convention Center’s West Concourse. Hotels connected by pedestrian bridges provide the simplest access, while other International Drive properties may require a longer walk or an official NADA shuttle.

Hotels by distance to the Orange County Convention Center

Compare these areas by walking distance, transportation access, and current NADA Show rates:

If you expect to attend early Main Stage programming, franchise meetings, and multiple days of the Expo, prioritize a hotel with a manageable route to the West Concourse. A property near Pointe Orlando may provide easier access to restaurants, while hotels farther along International Drive can work well when they’re served by an official NADA shuttle. Confirm the complete route and transportation options before booking rather than assuming every International Drive hotel is conveniently walkable.

For additional hotel options, proximity comparisons, and loyalty-friendly properties, see our guide to hotels near the Orange County Convention Center.

Hotel pricing for NADA Show 2027

Navan analyzed anonymized hotel booking patterns near the Orange County Convention Center during a comparable period in February 2026 to provide context for 2027 trip planning.^[10] These figures don’t represent NADA Show bookings, because the 2026 event took place in Las Vegas.

• Median hotel rate: The median nightly rate near the convention center during the comparison period was $705, well above Orlando’s $178 federal lodging allowance for February 2027.^[6][10]
• Stay length: Business travelers booked an average stay of 2.2 nights. Attendees participating in Wednesday education through the Saturday close will likely need a longer stay.^[10]
• Late bookings: Approximately 32% of stays were booked within two weeks of arrival. If you’re booking within that window, compare remaining official hotel options with refundable rates elsewhere on International Drive.^[10]

Official NADA housing is available through Maritz, NADA’s designated housing provider. NADA has negotiated rates at 40 Orlando hotels, but rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.^[15] If you’re using the official hotel program, keep these points in mind:

• Register before booking: You must be registered for NADA Show before reserving an official hotel room.^[15]
• Book through the official provider: Access Maritz through the NADA Show website, and avoid companies claiming to offer official NADA housing.^[15]
• Know the deadline: The official housing deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 5 p.m. ET.^[15]
• Review the cancellation terms: Hotels may charge a one-night room and tax deposit in January. Cancellation deadlines and early departure fees vary by property.^[15]
• Check the shuttle route: NADA provides complimentary transportation between the convention center and official hotels, although shuttle service may not be offered from hotels considered within walking distance.

Orlando flight trends

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary airport for NADA Show attendees and is approximately 20 minutes by car from the International Drive resort area under normal traffic conditions.^[1]

Navan flight data from February 2026 includes 1,828 business travel bookings to Orlando, with 19.5% originating outside the U.S.^[10] The most common origin locations were Austin, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, London, and Newark.

Arriving Tuesday, Feb. 16, gives most attendees time to check into their hotel before Wednesday’s orientation, education sessions, franchise meetings, and Welcome Reception. Allow additional time if you need to collect your badge or travel during busy arrival periods at MCO.

How Navan Edge helps you book your conference travel

Use Navan Edge, your travel assistant powered by AI and supported by human travel experts 24/7, to plan and book your NADA Show 2027 trip. Compare flights, hotels, and restaurants using live availability, personal preferences, and all the amenities that are important to you, then book everything in the same thread, without juggling multiple apps or websites.

Continue earning your usual airline miles and hotel loyalty points, earn applicable credit card multipliers, and get 5% back as Amazon Gift Cards on eligible hotel stays. See our travel rewards on business trips guide for how it works.

How to budget for NADA Show 2027 in Orlando

Plan your NADA Show 2027 budget around the full cost of the trip, including registration, lodging, transportation, meals, and optional events. Account for these expenses upfront so you can set a realistic budget before requesting approval.

Federal per diem for Orlando

The U.S. General Services Administration sets federal per diem rates for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses. These rates apply to federal employees traveling on official business, although some companies also use them as benchmarks when setting travel budgets and reimbursement limits.

For NADA Show 2027, the FY2027 rates for Orlando and Orange County are:

• $258 per day combined: Includes $178 for nightly lodging plus $80 for daily meals and incidental expenses (M&IE)^[6]
• M&IE breakdown: Includes $20 for breakfast, $22 for lunch, $33 for dinner, and $5 for incidentals (reduce your meal allowance for any meals provided at the event when required)^[6]
• First and last travel days: Includes an M&IE allowance of $60, or 75% of the daily M&IE rate^[6]

The $178 federal lodging allowance is considerably lower than the $705 median nightly rate in Navan’s February 2026 comparison data for hotels near the Orange County Convention Center.^[6][10] Because that data doesn’t represent NADA Show bookings, use it as general context rather than an event-week forecast. If your company uses GSA rates as a benchmark, compare total hotel and transportation costs before choosing a less expensive property farther from the West Concourse.

Other expenses to consider

Planning for these expenses before you book can make it easier to stay within budget and avoid surprises when it’s time to submit your expense report.

• Conference registration: Early bird registration for NADA/ATD member dealers and managers costs $709 and increases to $809 after Oct. 2, $909 after Dec. 11, and $1,009 onsite. Rates vary for nonmembers, OEM representatives, international attendees, and Allied Industry attendees.^[2]
• Registration add-ons: Allied Industry attendees pay an additional $210 for education access. Guest passes and other optional events may also add to the registration total.^[2]
• Welcome Reception: Admission is included for NADA-member dealers and managers and international affiliates. Other eligible attendees may purchase a ticket for $279.^[2]
• Airport transportation: Budget for a taxi, rideshare, rental car, or public transportation between MCO and your hotel. Public bus service provides a lower-cost option, but travel times and transfers may make it less practical for attendees carrying luggage.^[7][8]
• NADA shuttles: Complimentary shuttles operate Wednesday through Saturday between the West Concourse and official NADA hotels, with additional transportation to the Welcome Reception.^[18]
• Meals: Budget for meals that aren’t included with registration or an event. If catering is provided, check whether your company requires you to reduce your daily meal allowance.
• Client dinners: Steakhouses and private dining rooms near International Drive can cost $75-$150 per person before drinks.
• After-hours networking: Leave room in your budget for vendor receptions, team dinners, and rideshares when official transportation doesn’t align with your schedule.

Plan your NADA Show agenda

NADA Show combines education sessions, franchise meetings, Main Stage programming, and three days of Expo hours. Start by identifying your required franchise meetings and highest-priority exhibitors, then build education sessions around those commitments.

Here’s a high-level look at the week:^[3]

• Wednesday (Feb. 17): The optional, ticketed Women Driving Auto Retail event, NADA Show Orientation, workshops, Spotlight Series presentations, Exchange sessions, a Super Session, afternoon franchise meetings, and the Welcome Reception at Universal Epic Universe
• Thursday (Feb. 18): Main Stage programming, the NADA Expo, education sessions, and franchise meetings
• Friday (Feb. 19): The Expo, Main Stage programming featuring the incoming NADA chair’s address and the TIME Dealer of the Year, as well as education sessions, franchise meetings, and the Foundation Auction
• Saturday (Feb. 20): The Expo, Main Stage programming, final franchise meetings, workshops, Exchange sessions, and a closing Super Session

The schedule remains subject to change. MySchedule is expected to become available in early December, and the NADA Show 2027 app is scheduled for release in January. Once available, use these tools to save sessions, organize meetings, view exhibitor information, and navigate the West Concourse.^[17]

Build a plan around your priorities

Review the education schedule, franchise meeting grid, and exhibitor directory before the event. Reserve time for required brand meetings first, then add your highest-priority sessions and substantial blocks for the Expo. Avoid scheduling every hour so you have time for demonstrations, conversations, and travel within the convention center.

Here are a few ways to prepare before you arrive:

• Sessions: Save the workshops, Exchange discussions, Super Sessions, and Main Stage presentations most relevant to your dealership’s priorities.
• Franchise meetings: Confirm the dates and times of meetings for your brands before adding competing sessions to your schedule.
• Expo meetings: Contact exhibitors, industry partners, and dealer peers about two weeks before NADA Show to schedule booth meetings or coffee chats.
• Logistics: Confirm registration hours, review the shuttle stop for your hotel, and download the NADA Show app when the 2027 version becomes available.^[1][18]
• Contacts: Decide whether you’ll exchange information through LinkedIn, digital business cards, or another method, and add a brief note after each conversation to preserve context.

Once you know which sessions, meetings, and Expo hours your agenda will include, use our business trip planning guide to coordinate your flights, hotel, and departure plans around your schedule.

What to pack and wear at NADA Show

Most NADA Show attendees dress in business casual attire, such as slacks, chinos, dark jeans, collared shirts, sweaters, and comfortable shoes. Consider packing a blazer or another polished option for client dinners and evening meetings. For the Welcome Reception at Universal Epic Universe, prioritize comfortable footwear and clothing suitable for walking around the theme park.

February in Orlando typically brings daytime highs in the mid-70s°F and overnight lows in the low-to-mid-50s°F.^[9] You’ll move between air-conditioned convention spaces, outdoor walkways, and hotel shuttle stops, so pack light layers that are easy to add or remove.

Conference essentials

Long days of education sessions, franchise meetings, Expo demonstrations, and networking require more than standard office supplies. Add these practical items to your packing list:

• Two pairs of comfortable shoes: Alternating shoes can reduce soreness after several days of walking the West Concourse, nearby hotel routes, and the Welcome Reception.
• Portable charger: The NADA Show app, maps, messages, photos, and notes can drain your phone’s battery before the day’s final meeting.
• Light sweater or jacket: Meeting rooms and exhibit halls may feel considerably cooler than the temperature outside.
• Reusable water bottle: Keeping water with you makes it easier to stay hydrated without leaving the Expo floor or a full block of sessions.
• Sunscreen and sunglasses: You may spend time outside while walking from nearby hotels, waiting for shuttles, or attending the Universal Epic Universe reception.
• Throat lozenges and hand sanitizer: Hours of conversation and several days in crowded meeting spaces can take a toll.
• Business cards or a digital contact-sharing method: Choose a consistent way to exchange details, then add a note about each conversation so you remember why you wanted to follow up.
• Small backpack or laptop bag: Use a lightweight bag to carry your charger, water bottle, meeting materials, and anything you collect from exhibitors without becoming overloaded.

Getting from the airport to the NADA Show venue

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the primary airport for NADA Show attendees and is approximately 20 minutes by car from the International Drive resort area under normal traffic conditions.[1] Arriving Tuesday, Feb. 16, gives most attendees time to check into their hotel and prepare before Wednesday’s education sessions, orientation, and franchise meetings.

For most attendees traveling with luggage, a rideshare or taxi is the simplest option. LYNX Link 42 provides a lower-cost alternative between MCO and International Drive, although the additional travel time may not suit every schedule.

Once you’re at your hotel, NADA provides complimentary shuttle service Wednesday through Saturday between the Orange County Convention Center and official hotels. Shuttles also transport attendees to and from the Wednesday Welcome Reception at Universal Epic Universe. Service may not be available from hotels considered within walking distance of the convention center.^[1]

The I-RIDE Trolley can help with shorter trips among hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions along International Drive, but it doesn’t provide airport service. Check the current route, hours, and fare before relying on it for a scheduled dinner or meeting.

Beyond sessions: Make time for the NADA Expo and networking

Some of the most useful parts of NADA Show happen outside scheduled education sessions. Leave substantial time for the Expo floor, product demonstrations, franchise meetings, and conversations with other dealers rather than filling every hour with workshops.

• Schedule meetings before you arrive: Contact exhibitors, dealer peers, automaker representatives, and industry partners about two weeks before NADA Show to arrange booth meetings or coffee chats.
• Plan around priority exhibitors: Review the exhibitor directory and identify the products and companies most relevant to your dealership before building your Expo route.
• Protect Thursday and Friday Expo time: These are the only full Expo days, so reserve substantial blocks for demonstrations and vendor conversations before the shorter Saturday schedule.^[3]
• Visit the Dealer Learning Lab and Product Discovery Stages: Use these shorter Expo-floor presentations to hear about dealership challenges, compare approaches, and see products demonstrated.^[4]
• Attend relevant Main Stage programming: Featured speakers, NADA leadership updates, and the TIME Dealer of the Year presentation provide broader perspectives on leadership, customer experience, teamwork, and the automotive retail industry.^[3]
• Take notes after each conversation: Record product capabilities, integration requirements, questions, pricing information, and next steps while the details are still fresh.
• Follow up within 48 hours: Send a brief email or LinkedIn message that references the demonstration or conversation and identifies a specific next step.
• Build in short breaks: Four days of sessions, meetings, Expo walks, and evening events can be tiring. Leave time to eat, drink water, and recharge rather than scheduling every available block.

The most useful networking begins before NADA Show and continues after you leave. A smaller number of relevant conversations with clearly assigned follow-up actions will generally be more valuable than visiting as many booths as possible or collecting contacts without context.

What to eat at NADA Show 2027

Long days of education sessions, franchise meetings, demonstrations, and Expo walks can make it easy to skip meals or rely on snacks. Start with a filling breakfast, keep a protein bar or another convenient snack in your bag, and carry water so you don’t have to leave the West Concourse whenever you need something between meetings.

When it’s time for a client dinner, team meal, or quick lunch, these options are convenient to the convention center district:

• Client dinner: Jack’s Place at Rosen Plaza serves steaks and seafood and offers private dining options. Rosen Plaza is connected to the convention center and across International Drive from Pointe Orlando.^[12][16]
• Team meal: Pointe Orlando has multiple restaurants that can accommodate groups, including Maggiano’s Little Italy, The Capital Grille, Taverna Opa, and Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar.^[13]
• Quick lunch: The West Concourse has restaurants and concession stands for attendees who don’t have enough time to leave the convention center between sessions, franchise meetings, and Expo appointments.^[17]

Reserve client dinners and larger team meals before you arrive, particularly for Wednesday through Friday evenings. Navan Edge can book Orlando restaurant reservations in the same chat where you arrange your flight and hotel.

Finish strong on departure day

Before you check out, organize your receipts, vendor notes, franchise meeting takeaways, and new contacts so you’re not sorting through the week after returning to your dealership. Travelers leaving after the final Saturday programming should also allow extra time for the trip to MCO and airport check-in.

• Pack the night before: Charge your devices, lay out your travel clothes, and check the room for chargers, badges, business cards, and anything collected from exhibitors.
• Confirm late checkout: If you have an evening flight, ask the front desk about late checkout or have Navan Edge coordinate the request on your behalf.
• Leave enough airport time: Plan to arrive at MCO at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international departure, and allow additional time for Saturday traffic from International Drive.
• Submit expenses early: Upload registration, hotel, meal, and transportation receipts while the charges are still easy to remember, noting any lodging above your company’s allowance.
• Organize your notes: Consolidate vendor comparisons, product questions, franchise meeting takeaways, and assigned next steps before the details become difficult to reconstruct.
• Begin following up: Use your airport wait or lounge time to send brief messages to the most important exhibitors, dealers, and industry contacts you met.
• Schedule a debrief: Block time early the following week to share useful findings and turn vendor evaluations, operational ideas, and franchise discussions into clear actions.

Make the most of your NADA Show 2027 trip

NADA Show 2027 brings dealers, managers, automaker representatives, exhibitors, and other automotive retail professionals together in Orlando. Choose your hotel based on its route to the West Concourse, build a realistic travel budget, prioritize the franchise meetings and exhibitors most relevant to your dealership, and leave room for demonstrations and conversations between scheduled sessions.

A little planning before you arrive can help you return with useful industry connections, informed vendor comparisons, and practical ideas your dealership can put to work. If you’re heading to NADA Show 2027, use Navan Edge to book your flight, hotel, and client dinners in Orlando in one chat.

Navan is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NADA or their organizers, and this guide is not an official NADA publication. NADA and all other third-party trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and descriptive purposes only. All schedules, pricing, venue details, and program information are subject to change; verify current details with the official organizers before you travel.

Navan publishes this guide as part of its Navan Edge content series. Navan Edge is a Navan product referenced throughout this post. Card benefits, fees, loyalty program thresholds, earning structures, reward values, and AI capabilities described in this article are subject to change and were accurate as of the date of publication. Verify current terms with your card issuer, loyalty program operator, or the relevant program’s website before making decisions. Amazon Gift Card rewards are subject to Navan Edge Terms and Conditions for eligible hotel bookings.

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