Summer has come to a close, which means that the industry’s biggest event of the season will be here before you know it. With just about a month to go, now is the time to start planning your trip to Texas for the 2025 CD/NLA Show this October 25-28 at the Gaylord Texan, just outside of Dallas. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your business edge, make powerful new connections, or just enjoy some top-tier Texas hospitality with fellow industry pros, this show delivers it all. Huge thanks to our amazing sponsors for helping make it all possible.
Our host property is the thoroughly modern and utterly spectacular Gaylord Texan, only minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. When we last visited this host property in 2021, the industry was just on its out from the challenge of the pandemic. Now that we’re back full force, we have no doubt that this venue will become one of your favorites. With everything under one roof, you’re equally close to our show events as you are to a good night’s sleep or a hearty meal.
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 in store for you—including our epic evening events.
Let’s talk business—literally. This fall, the CD/NLA Show Education Committee, led by co-chairs Jason Sharenow and Karl Guenther, is bringing an impressive 11-session lineup packed with fresh, relevant, and game-changing content tailored for companies of every size and market. From AI and social media strategy to operations, finance, shuttle services, sales, marketing, and safety, you’ll walk away with actionable takeaways that speak directly to today’s industry challenges. This year also marks our largest-ever roster of outside experts—leaders not just within the industry, but from top-performing organizations beyond it—offering insights that are practical and ready to put into play.
But before we start our packed education schedule, early birds who come into DFW on Saturday can take advantage of an exclusive Limo Anywhere Academy, beginning at noon. This is a great opportunity for users to learn what’s new with Limo Anywhere, get acquainted with the service, and get face time with the developers of one of the industry’s leading and most respected software platforms.
“The fall CD/NLA Show was great. It was fantastic to see the industry back in such force with so many people eager to learn and share experiences for best practices for business excellence,” says Jeff Shanker of Black Tie Transportation and Bus Charters.
On Sunday, we jumpstart the education slate with Customer Experience Coach John Formica, who returns to the CD/NLA Show with Secrets to Attract More Customers, Build Loyalty, and Have an Abundance of Referrals. He will share secrets to better connect with customers and be memorable to make your business the “go to” transportation service in your community. We’re also pleased to present two tech-themed sessions that will look to the future: AI at the Wheel of Luxury Travel and How to Get a Bigger Slice of the LinkedIn PIE. Also timely are seminars on the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on our industry, as well as deep dives into customer service. You also won’t want to miss Shuttle Operations 101: What You Need to Know, a panel discussion that breaks down the essentials of corporate shuttle operations—from different service types and RFP strategies to pricing, insurance, and technology solutions. Monday’s programming includes The Owner’s Mindset: How to Stop Driving and Start Leading, Marketing Techniques That Deliver, and Finding and Fixing Profit Leaks. A Tuesday highlight comes courtesy of noted Behavioral Psychologist Paul Atchley, Ph.D. In his talk, Distracted Driving Affects Your Business More Than You Realize, he will examine the value of immediate information, the disconnect of risk and behavior, and the “grand illusion” we call human perception. We’ll conclude our education with Close More Sales With Better Systems and Modern Tools and Over-the-Road Work Isn’t Hourly: Learn the Difference. Whether you’re a single-car operator or have 100 vehicles at your command, you’ll find content, ideas, and tips to strengthen your business.
“As a first-time attendee, it was wonderful to take part in an environment that offered such concentrated information,” says David Joseph of On The Town Limousines. 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 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 leaders in a roundtable format. This year, we’re presenting a true all-star line-up of 24 rock stars representing all ages, company sizes, backgrounds, and markets. Mentorship remains one of the smartest moves an entrepreneur can make, so be sure to register ASAP for your best chance at your top choice. We’re not kidding: the wait list starts filling up well before the show.
“My experience during the Operator Mentoring Program was phenomenal. I received the targeted advice that I needed in order to scale up my chauffeur service to the next level. Thank you!” says Tamara Fitzgerald of AET Transportation.
Another one of our most-attended events is the Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum, which only keeps growing. Here, you can have one-on-one conversations with owners, affiliate managers, and key decision-makers from companies representing markets from around the world that 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
“Participating in Affiliate Central has significantly expanded our network, fostering numerous partnership opportunities worldwide,” says Andrew Tighe of RMA Worldwide.
We’re also thrilled to present our always-exciting State of the Industry, sponsored by Driving Transactions. This standing-room-only event offers attendees the chance to get a glimpse of what’s happening with operators like you in luxury ground transportation markets around the world.
In addition to our dedicated networking events like The 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.
We kick off our first evening event on Sunday evening with our adored Opening Night Party, sponsored by Ultimate Toys. Our show floor will be overflowing with Lone Star charm on Sunday night as we present our version of the famous State Fair of Texas! This larger-than-a-ten-gallon-hat celebration promises to be anything but ordinary—enjoy popcorn and cotton candy, our customary open bar, carnival games like Ring Toss and Plinko, and maybe even try your luck on a mechanical bull. It’s a chance to unwind, connect with vendors and fellow attendees, and treat yourself to a little Texan flair under the convention center lights—boots optional, but highly encouraged.
We’re back on Tuesday night at the Glass Cactus—the Gaylord Texan’s stunning lakeside venue that knows how to host a proper party—for our grand finale. With its spacious outdoor terrace and unbeatable sunset views over Grapevine Lake, this is where business winds down and the celebration jumps into high gear. Attendees can kick back with a cocktail (or two) from our open bar, soak in the live blend of country and rock music from the Red Wine Band, and hit the dance floor for one last evening of high-energy fun and laid-back networking. Whether you’re there for the rhythm, the dancing, or just a well-earned farewell with your fellow peers, we send you home in Big Tex style.
“The CD/NLA Show is not only an incredible learning experience, but an invaluable professional networking opportunity. We walk away every time with a renewed spirit and focused heart to serve our clients at a higher level,” says Richard and Wanda Van Dyke of Ambassador City Chauffeurs.
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, of course, vehicles from our array of vendors, there’s also lunch on the show floor on Monday and Tuesday to keep you moving during the fast-paced days.
“This year’s CD/NLA Show brought in many of the leaders of the industry. The location of the event and the quality of convention hall were fantastic,” says Steve Edelmann of Royale/Cabot Coach Builders.
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 just over a month 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 25-28 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. [CD0925]
