Can you still feel the energy? With more than 2,000 industry professionals representing 40+ countries, the 2026 CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas was positively off the charts. A big thank you to our attendees, presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors for making our return to the MGM Grand on March 1-3 an experience that won’t been soon forgotten.
Every aspect of a CD/NLA event is carefully crafted for the best ROI for our attendees and supporters, and it all begins with our educational sessions, sponsored by Hoffmann Transportation. From our dynamic kickoff on Sunday with AI-related content from Bill Gallagher of ScalingCoach.com to Tuesday’s closing session on increasing bookings, it was evident that the industry placed real value on learning—and thanks to the CD/NLA Show Education Committee, we had a stellar lineup of seminars geared toward all segments of operators. In packed rooms, our speakers and experts covered everything from autonomous vehicles, bleisure travel, affiliate relations, insurance, and so much more. And of course, we offer a hat tip to Coffee Sponsor Buffalo Limousine and A/V Sponsor Elite Coach Transportation for keeping our attendees sharp and on point.
“It was an incredible experience participating in the CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas! As always, the event was full of learning, innovation, and inspiring people from across the industry. Every conversation sparked new ideas and opened doors to exciting opportunities ahead. Feeling inspired, motivated, and grateful for the connections made. Looking forward to what’s next!” says Noelia Luaces of Relier.
“It’s amazing how a group of people united by the same passion can inspire one another and create such a vibrant atmosphere! The opportunity to connect with colleagues like us, to share ideas, projects, and opportunities is what makes our work so special,” says Walter Carniato of Clab Service.
Advocacy in action was witnessed during Sunday’s Association Summit, which brought together the leaders of the country’s local and state associations. The packed room offered discourse on various challenges faced by owners in all markets, especially unlicensed/illegal operators and devastatingly high insurance rates. Key “asks” for the coming April 14-15 NLA Day on the Hill were also bandied between attendees, while the formation of a new association from Louisiana was announced.
Attendees were similarly enthusiastic about our Keynote Speaker Jason Dorsey, who energized the standing-room-only crowd with his presentation, Crossing the Generational Divide Influencing the Industry Landscape. The generational expert had our attendees in stitches with his dynamic ways to better understand, connect with, and build trust with all peer groups, from Baby Boomers to Gen Z. Met with a standing ovation, this one-of-a-kind Keynote received rave reviews from the industry, which could be heard throughout the following lunch, sponsored by Titus Leasing. The Keynote also served as the perfect opportunity to announce CD/NLA’s first international event, the Paris Executive Retreat scheduled for June 2027. This breaking news was met with a giant round of applause and was the talk for the remainder of the show.
And you can bet that networking was nonstop in every corner of the MGM Grand. Handshakes, business cards, and best practices were exchanged over breakfast, lunch, and even in the hallways and elevators between sessions—proof that some of the best connections happen when you least expect them. That doesn’t even account for our dedicated networking activities like our First-Timers’ Event, where newbies were paired with experienced industry professionals, or the jam-packed International Meet & Greet (sponsored by the Cardel Group, Global Alliance, Mimo Limousine, and Van Delden Limousine). Also attracting an enthusiastic crowd was our Women in the Industry luncheon, sponsored by ABC Companies, where the ladies of luxury ground transportation got together to network and honor the legacy of Barbara Chirico of Gem Worldwide, a trailblazer and mentor who helped shape the industry.
“The Impact Award means a great deal to our family and Gem Worldwide, as it honors the legacy of our founder, Barbara Chirico, who was not only the driving force behind our organization, but also a devoted mother, grandmother, and someone who truly loved this industry and its people. Barbara believed deeply in what this industry represents and was committed to its growth, relationships, and future. We’re incredibly grateful for this honor, and the award will be proudly displayed in our newly renovated headquarters as a lasting reminder of her impact on our business and the industry,” says Joe and Deanna Gulino of Gem Worldwide.
“The Women in the Industry Luncheon at the CD/NLA Show was one of the highlights of the event. Seeing 240 people gathered in one room, including women leaders and the many allies who actively support them, was a powerful reminder of the strength of our industry’s community,” says Brigette Fahl of ABC Companies
“These events continue to remind me how deeply this industry is rooted in genuine human connections, unwavering professionalism, and an endless drive to elevate service. It was great reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new professionals, and exchanging ideas with people who take pride in what they do,” says Ariadna Noches of SRTC Worldwide Transportation.
But when it comes to networking, the endless activity at our record-breaking Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum (sponsored by GNet and Godandi & Sons) held on Tuesday was off the charts. With more than 110 operator tables on display, well over 1,000 attendees were looking to expand their business network by holding productive conversations and getting valuable facetime as they flowed through the hall.
“For luxury chauffeur transportation, there is no event more important than the CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas. To connect with new and existing operators in the industry allows you to create meaningful partnerships and more importantly learn from each other to provide a true chauffeur experience,” says Stuart MacMillan of Little’s Chauffeur Drive.
“Thank you to Chauffeur Driven and the National Limousine Association for another amazing show. It was great catching up with long-time friends, meeting new affiliates, and building valuable partnerships within our incredible industry,” says Gary Bhullar of Indy Executive Limo.
That electricity, however, extended way past our session rooms. The massive show floor was consistently energetic, starting with Sunday’s Opening Night Vintage Vegas Party (sponsored by Ultimate Toys) and lasting until the final hours on Tuesday afternoon. Operators were actively engaging vendors and buying vehicles, technology, and services as they got a firsthand look and even active demonstrations of the latest and greatest. As business owners looked to replenish or upgrade their fleet, the show floor presented the perfect opportunity with bus, motorcoach, and OEM exhibitors on hand to supply the newest models geared for our industry.
And it was on the show floor where CD was proud to introduce CD Café to our guests. With free gourmet coffee drinks and cool, comfy seating, we brought the vibes of your favorite neighborhood java spot to our bustling show floor.
“The CD/NLA Show was very well organized and brought together a great group of professionals from across the industry. It was a valuable opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and learn from other operators. I truly appreciated the effort that went into making the event both informative and welcoming,” says Antonio Castro of Shofer Corp.
Before our Closing Night Party, we ended our afternoon programming with a truly special event, the debut of CD Presents: Legends & Origin Stories. In this inaugural session, Dawson Rutter—founder and CEO of Commonwealth Worldwide, industry pioneer, and Chauffeur Driven Hall of Fame inductee—shared the personal stories behind his extraordinary career with CD President Chris Weiss and even special guests like Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine and Rutter’s wife and business partner, Tami. Equal parts hilarious and moving, their conversation spanned Rutter’s career as a wayward cab driver in the ’70s (even some that made us blush) to his founding of one of the country’s largest luxury ground transportation empires. This frank, no-holds-barred dialogue is one that will go down in history books.
Did we mention that our Tuesday night Closing Night Party at Hakkasan was a showstopper? Courtesy of sponsors Black Swan Executive Chauffeurs and Reseau Chauffeured Service, our attendees flocked to the one of Vegas’ hippest nightclubs (conveniently located inside the MGM Grand), where they mingled over drinks with fellow attendees and danced the night away.
“Our industry is full of challenges, but the hustle and grit from these operators is incredible—everyone here keeps pushing forward and raising the bar,” says Danielle Brown of Premiere Transportation.
We look forward to seeing our friends and colleagues at the future events we have planned for 2026. First is the CD/NLA Executive Retreat in Miami on June 14-17 at legendary Fontainebleau Miami. Limited to 200 operators, our retreats offer a blend of high-level educational content, unique networking, local food and flavor, tours, and team-building events to create an amazing, relaxing, and revitalizing experience from beginning to end. Then, October 25-27, we return to the Gaylord National just outside of D.C. for our fall CD/NLA Show. Will we see you there? [CD0426]
