Woah! Summer has flown by, and the industry’s biggest event of the fall will be returning to the Northeast before you know it. With only two months to go, now is the time to start thinking about joining us for the 2024 CD/NLA Show this October 13-16 in D.C.’s National Harbor. You can’t afford to miss the networking, educational, and purchasing opportunities that bring nearly 1,500 operators, vendors, and other industry professionals together. Many thanks to our Title Sponsor Volvo for making this event possible.
Our host property is the thoroughly modern and utterly spectacular Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, situated right on the banks of the mighty Potomac River. Easy to get to by plane, train, or car, the Gaylord National itself is a well-appointed resort that puts you right in the heart of the iconic National Harbor on the Maryland side of the river, so you can play as hard as you work if you make a vacation out of this in-demand destination site. This area is like a mini city with plenty of restaurants and shopping within walking distance of the property, not to mention the MGM Casino just a mile away.
Of course, a beautiful, close-knit location is just one part of the appeal of CD/NLA shows: We have some incredible returning and revitalized programs, an all-encompassing array of educational offerings, and some one-of-a-kind networking events all in store for you—including our epic evening events.
The CD/NLA Education Committee, spearheaded by co-chairs Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide and Karl Guenther of Statement Limousine, is giving our extensive list of topics one last tweak to deliver the most relevant, timely, and intensive education that can be applied to all business sizes and markets (hey, you can’t rush perfection). At press time, we had an amazing 11 educational sessions on our schedule, along with three deep-dive interactive workshops on Wednesday that are designed to build on topics discussed earlier in the show. Those workshops on the final day will be collaborative as attendees will break into small groups for in-depth discussions, so your participation will enrich the conversation and spark plenty of imagination and passion. By the time you leave the show, you’ll have a solid playbook on how to turn these ideas into action within your own organization. Also, we have an event planned where you can get to know our Show Education Committee members a bit more intimately and ask them questions. It’s a rare peek behind the curtain that you won’t want to miss!
Some of the ground we’re planning to cover includes Managing Generational Differences in the Workforce, Protecting Your Business Against Real-World Cybersecurity Threats, Tips and Tools for Mastering the Affiliate Game, Securing and Executing Large Group Bookings, Become a Super Salesperson in Retail Ground Transportation (roundtable), and AI Applications in the Limo Industry, as well as a workshop on Safety and Defensive Driving.
“An exceptional event with great presentations with quality content—and an incredible group of people attending. A lot of good business will be done as a result of these relationships,” says Vince Robinson of RCS of London.
Veteran attendees know that classroom-style sessions aren’t the only opportunities for world-class education at the CD/NLA Show: This year’s mix of returning and slightly tweaked-for-freshness favorites will certainly uphold that tradition. And several of our flagship offerings will be back and better than ever this fall!
Among our most popular events is the Operator Mentoring Program, which is exclusive to our fall show. This always-packed favorite gives operators an invaluable opportunity to learn from some of the industry’s most iconic names and successful industry leaders in a roundtable format. This year, we’re presenting a terrific and diverse mix of industry rock stars of all ages, company sizes, backgrounds, and markets. Moreover, we’re excited that we’ve increased the usual number of tables from 18 to 24, but each mentor will work with a more intimate group of seven participants. If this is on your agenda, be sure to register ASAP for your best chance at your top choice. We’re not kidding: the wait list usually starts filling up well before the show.
“An exceptional event with great presentations, with quality content—and an incredible group of people attending. A lot of good business will be done as a result of these relationships.” – Vince Robinson of RCS of LondonAnother one of our most-attended events is the Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum, which was the biggest it’s ever been at our 2024 show in Vegas ... and only keeps growing. Here, you can have one-on-one conversations with owners, affiliate managers, and key decision-makers from companies representing all the markets you’ve been looking to break into—and who are looking to tap into your local presence, too. If your goal is for even more visibility at the show where interested affiliates come right to you, consider purchasing a table where you and your company reps can interact directly with potential business partners and display all your collateral. Contact Jess Pavlow at jess@chauffeurdriven.com.
“Participating in Affiliate Central has significantly expanded our network, fostering numerous partnership opportunities worldwide,” says Andrew Tighe of RMA Worldwide. In addition to our dedicated networking events like Operator Mentoring Program, Affiliate Central, and our fantastic Women in the Industry Event, the CD/NLA Show offers plenty of opportunity to meet with fellow operators from markets around the world, whether it’s at our Sunday and Monday Night evening parties, or at breakfast and lunch provided to attendees. We make sure you’re fully fueled so you can power through the day and take in everything that the show has in store.
After a day of education session and our Operator Mentoring Program, we kick off Sunday evening with our adored Opening Night Party on the show floor. Networking meets fun as we celebrate our attendees and vendor partners—the companies that help you keep your business moving, connected, and maybe even ahead of the curve. Enjoy delicious apps, an open bar, awesome entertainment, and a packed show floor of all the products and services you need.
We’re back on Monday night for a cool new themed party—casino! With a selection of delectable appetizers and a premium open bar, you’ll have every opportunity to unwind and make meaningful connections. Casino games like craps, blackjack, poker, roulette, and more add a touch of excitement—and, we’ll have prizes too! Don’t worry, even if games of chance aren’t your thing, our laid-back parties are always a sure bet for fun. 
With the Gaylord National’s conference space making our show another easily navigable all-under-one-roof affair, you’ll have no problem traversing the property’s exhibit hall without having to sacrifice all the can’t-miss events on your personal agenda—and your feet will appreciate how close everything is! Just remember to pack some comfortable shoes because you’ll want to visit the manufacturers, product suppliers, service providers, and associations who are looking to connect with you on our show floor. In addition to showcasing the newest and most in-demand services, products, and vehicles from our array of vendors, there’s also lunch on the show floor to keep you moving during the fast-paced days. You can check out our list of exhibitors here: bit.ly/46En6mE.
“The CD/NLA Show excels in fostering professional connections within the industry, creating an environment that is both accessible and easy to navigate. The investment in their proprietary app significantly enhances user experience, offering a platform that is both efficient and user-friendly,” says Stephanie McKeon of Joshua’s Worldwide Transportation. Speaking of the app, generously sponsored by North Point Global Transportation Services, it’s ready for download now and features the entire schedule, contact information for speakers and vendors, property maps, and social media feeds so you can get the most out of every minute you’re at the Gaylord. Visit your local app store and search for CD/NLA Shows.
This is just a sampling of what the fall CD/NLA Show has in store for you, and if you know us, we’re always adding some surprises right up to the event. With two months left, we have some ideas in the works, so keep checking back at cdnlashow.com and future newsletters from Chauffeur Driven to find all the updates and details on the biggest industry event of the fall. Mark your calendars for October 13-16 and get ready to join us for the world-class education, nonstop networking, and a jam-packed show floor like only the CD/NLA Show does it. [CD0824]