NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The North American Trailer Dealers Association’s 2026 NATDA Trailer Show was one for the record books.
Here’s a look at what made this year’s show one to remember:
- 4,700+ industry professionals attended, with total registration growing more than 10% over 2025.
- 800+ dealerships attended the show, exhibiting a 6.5% growth in new dealerships from 2025.
- 1,500+ attendees kicked off the week at the NATDA Welcome Party – largest ever!
- 88% of attendees held purchasing influence, with dealerships reporting an average projected spend of $555,000.
- 310+ exhibitors filled six football fields of sold-out exhibit space.
- 30+ educational sessions delivered practical strategies for sales, marketing, operations, leadership and business growth.
- Hands-on technician training and certification helped dealership teams build skills they can take back to the shop and apply to the Trailer Service Professional Certification.
Held over three days in early September at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., the NATDA Trailer Show is an annual conference for light- to medium-duty trailer professionals, manufacturers, dealers and vendors.
As mentioned, this year’s show featured over 310 exhibitors displaying their new trailers, parts and accessories, and business services available to trailer dealers. Many dealers came to the show looking to purchase new trailers to offer their customers and to check out the latest innovations for gooseneck, cargo, utility, and flatbed trailers.
Jeff Cotton of Lawrence Motorsports in Aurora, Ind., said he came to see some of his manufacturer partners including Novae. “We came to see what was new so that we could go back to our trailer parts store ensure some of the new technologies and innovations with our customers,” shared Cotton.
Jon Gaida, who works for PleasureLand RV Center in St. Cloud, Minn., came to see some of the new trailers that they can use to supplement their current business in addition to what they offer on the RV side.
“During the winter months, when things slow down, we diversify our business by selling trailers at some of our stores,” Gaida said.
Representatives of Maxx-D Blue Trailers out of Georgia also commented, saying the main reason they came to NATDA is to get more contacts with vendors and see what everyone else’s trailers are looking like in the industry. They will carry back some good ideas that they can implement in their own trailers, they said.
Dealers navigated the more than 300,000 square feet of exhibitor space over three days at the downtown Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn. The day prior to the vendor hall opening, attendees learned from a variety of professional seminars about marketing, technology, and training.
NATDA’s Executive Director Andria Gibbon shared her perspective on the 2026 event, saying that “without question, the 2026 NATDA Trailer Show was a success!”
“Dealer attendance grew for the second year in a row, participation in several of our education sessions reached standing-room only levels, and you could feel the high energy and buzz on the show floor,” stated Gibbon. “The feedback from exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it their best show ever.”
Suppliers, like Demco, exhibit at the show to support their OEM partners, but to also show some new developments of their own. John Jasper, head of sales for Demco’s trailer division, said, “We have been able to talk to a couple of dealers just this morning about our commercial grade semi-trailers.”
Others from the business service aspect came to show how dealers can supplement and improve their business strategy in their local markets. This included not just selling but renting trailers locally.
“This is one of our fastest growing segments of our portfolio,” commented Carlos Avila, president of MBA Insurance.
Despite a tough market, vendors like MBA, Demco and Dexter Axle showed an upbeat attitude about the show and future prospects. NATDA had over 30-plus sponsor partners for 2026, including Diamon Sponsors Behnke Trailers and Terran Industries.
“The event demonstrated that even in a challenging market, our industry still views the NATDA trailer Show as a must-attend event that helps keep their businesses innovative, connected, and focused on growth,” said Gibbon.
On the trailer manufacturing side, Diamond C has been an exhibitor at the show every year for the last eighteen years. Based in Mount Pleasant, Texas, (and run by the Crabb family for over 40 years) Jacob Crabb said NATDA is a part of Diamond C’s long-term strategy.
“It’s a long game for us,” he said. “You may think you come once, and you get an exponential return. Maybe, you do, but for us coming year after year you see the same faces, you begin a networking rapport with them and that’s when it dominoes. Some of our most successful relationships and dealer customers have come from this show.”
Mark Sawicki, senior director of product development with Big Tex Trailers, said the show offered them the opportunity to display new innovations for their market. “Last year, we introduced our telescoping feature on our 14TD. We leveraged those innovations for the 14TX. Our very focused, 83-inch wide, 14,000-pounds GVWR. Wd brought that telescoping technology that allows lifting in all weather. This is the platform we have built for the future.
The first full day of the exhibition hall being open, dealers traversed the floor looking at shiny new trailers and work trucks for their inventory before heading over to a local brewery for the evening event.
Dexter Axle sponsored an 80’s party with live music and an open bar at Yee-Haw Brewing Co. Dexter employees dressed the part with 80’s-inspired baseball jerseys as dealers listened to some of their favorite 80’s music.
As the show concluded, NATDA gave out multiple awards give. The winner of the $10,000 grand prize was Randy Puistolahti, a first-time attendee of the show. Also, Gridko LLC took home the coveted cup for winning the TRAILmakER Award.
As for next year, those looking to get in on the trailer show action better be diligent. Seventy percent of exhibitor space is already sold for the 2027 event which will be held once again in Music City Center from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“We’re already looking ahead to an exciting milestone year as NATDA celebrates its 20th anniversary. In addition to commemorating two decades of industry leadership, we’ll be launching the Service Hub and continuing to expand our technical certification offerings to help dealerships build stronger, more profitable service operations,” said Gibbon.
The Service Hub will be a new addition to the 2027 show focusing of certifying trailer technicians.
Those interested in attending or learning more about the show can go to: https://www.natdatrailershow.com/
TRAILmakER Awards
- Overall Trophy Recipient: Gridko LLC
- Vehicle: RawMaxx
- Heavy Duty: Gridko LLC
- Livestock: Hillsboro Industries, Inc.
- Cargo/Concession: Celltech Trailers
- Utility: Bear Track Trailers
TRAILblazER Awards
- 1st Place: Trailer Gear Box
- 2nd Place: Lippert
- 3rd Place: Matrack PingMaster GPS
TRAILsettER Awards
- 1st Place: Belmont Trailers, LLC
- 2nd Place: HAULVISION Trailer Design
- 3rd Place: Lightspeed
Exhibitor Awards
- Best in Show (1000+ sq. ft.): Buckshot Trailers
- Best in Show (<1000 sq. ft.): Automotive International, Inc Valugard
- Best 10×10: TowTether
- Best New Company: Hitchholder
