Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia

What Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia does

The Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP) is a regional 501(c)(6) trade association founded in 1904, serving more than 200 franchised new car and truck dealerships across the five-county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia). It claims near-100% membership penetration among eligible dealers in its territory and operates through a two-tier membership model: Dealer Membership for franchised dealerships and Associate Membership for vendors, service providers, and allied businesses. The governing body is a 14-person board of directors drawn from member dealers, with a 9-person professional staff led by a President, CFO/COO, and functional directors.

ADAGP monetizes through recurring membership dues, event-driven revenue (ticket sales, sponsorships, and vendor participation at the Philadelphia Auto Show, Black Tie Tailgate, Annual Golf Outing, and Annual Dinner), facility rentals at its East Norriton headquarters, and foundation donations. Its flagship consumer asset is the Philadelphia Auto Show, an annual event dating to 1902 that ADAGP has produced since 2000 and which 87% of in-market 2026 attendees reported influenced their future vehicle purchase decision. Philanthropic programming is operated through the affiliated Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation (formalized 2003), which has channeled more than $20M in cumulative giving, including more than $10M for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia via the Black Tie Tailgate since 1986 and more than 700,000 winter coats distributed through Driving Away the Cold since 2008.

ADAGP's technology stack is modest: a public website, a member portal, event ticketing platforms, and a consumer-facing dealer search directory. Members are supported with legal and D&I services via Fisher & Phillips, LLP and on-site PennDOT titling services through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Automotive Association. The association runs Tech Comp (Greater Philadelphia Auto Technology Competition, since 1993), an annual high-school automotive technology competition that awards more than $1M in scholarships, tools, and prizes, addressing the projected 76,000 annual nationwide technician shortage. The Board recently reintroduced structured education and training offerings (CFO Roundtables, Fixed Ops Meetings, Education Series) to deepen non-event member value.

Name

Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia

Legal name

Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia

Website

https://adagp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1904

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia is a 501(c)(6) regional trade association founded in 1904 that represents more than 200 franchised new car and truck dealerships across the five-county Greater Philadelphia region, producing the Philadelphia Auto Show and operating community programs through its CARing for Kids Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

North East

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Dealer Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged to franchised new car and truck dealers in the Greater Philadelphia area for access to events, publications, training, facility rentals, legal services, and policy representation.
2. Associate Membership Dues: Annual membership fees charged to vendors, service providers, and allied businesses for networking opportunities, sponsorship exposure, and collaboration on regional events.
3. Event Proceeds (Philadelphia Auto Show, Black Tie Tailgate, Golf Outing, Annual Dinner): Revenue generated through ticket sales, sponsorships, and vendor participation fees at the Philadelphia Auto Show, Black Tie Tailgate, annual golf outing, and annual dinner meeting. The Black Tie Tailgate specifically raises funds for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
4. Meeting Space Rental: ADAGP headquarters meeting rooms (Board Room capacity 22, Main Level Training Room capacity 80, Lower Level Training Room capacity 20, Lower Level Showroom up to 4 vehicles) are made available to member dealers for a fee, generating rental revenue.
5. Foundation Donations: Tax-deductible donations from dealers, corporate sponsors, and individuals supporting the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, which funds programs like Driving Away the Cold (winter coats) and the Black Tie Tailgate beneficiary funds for CHOP.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ADAGP is a regional trade association that supports, promotes, and protects the interests of franchised new car and truck dealers across the Greater Philadelphia five-county area. Its core offerings include dealer and associate membership programs, the annual Philadelphia Auto Show, the Black Tie Tailgate charity gala, the Driving Away the Cold coat program, the Tech Comp student competition, member publications, education and training programs, meeting space rentals, and legal services.

Product overview

The Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia (ADAGP) operates as a trade association with multiple event, education, and philanthropy programs rather than a unified technology product. Its core offerings include the Philadelphia Auto Show (an annual consumer auto show since 1902), Tech Comp (automotive technology competition for high school students), Black Tie Tailgate (charity gala for CHOP), and Driving Away the Cold (winter coat distribution program). Supporting services include member publications (Auto Outlook reports, Driving Force Magazine), education and training programs (CFO Roundtables, Fixed Ops Meetings), and meeting space rentals at its East Norriton headquarters. The association provides legal services through Fisher & Phillips, titling services in partnership with PennDOT, and operates a dealer member search directory. These programs are organized under the CARing for Kids Foundation for charitable initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Philadelphia Auto Show The flagship annual auto show connecting consumers and entertaining families in the Greater Philadelphia region. ADAGP has been producing the event since 2000, and it influences billions in regional auto sales while entertaining thousands of attendees annually. The next show is scheduled for January 16-24, 2027.
• Black Tie Tailgate A philanthropic preview event of the Philadelphia Auto Show benefiting Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Department of Nursing. Over $10 million has been raised for CHOP since its inception in 1986. The 2026 event raised more than $300,000. Next scheduled for January 15, 2027.
• Driving Away the Cold A winter coat distribution program that provides brand-new coats to children in need in the five-county Philadelphia region. Since 2008, over 700,000 coats have been distributed through approximately 200 participating dealerships. More than 25,000 coats distributed in 2025 alone.
• Tech Comp (Greater Philadelphia Auto Technology Competition) Annual hands-on automotive technology competition for area high school seniors. Over $1 million in scholarships, tools, and prizes is awarded annually to participants who demonstrate skills across 8 ASE areas and perform multi-point vehicle inspections.
• CARing for Kids Foundation The philanthropic arm of ADAGP that enhances and enriches the lives of children and youth in Greater Philadelphia communities. Over $20 million has been donated to charitable efforts including CHOP support, Driving Away the Cold, and local YMCA grants.
• Dealer & Associate Membership Dealer membership available to franchised new car and truck dealers in Greater Philadelphia. Associate membership open to vendors, service providers, or allied businesses. Benefits include access to events, publications, training, facility rentals, and representation on regional policy issues.
• Education & Training Programs Programs including CFO Roundtables, Fixed Ops Meetings, and Education Series focused on topics based on dealer input. Recently reintroduced offerings for dealer members to keep staff skills sharp.
• Meeting Spaces Member-accessible reservable rooms at ADAGP Headquarters in East Norriton including Board Room (22 capacity), Main Level Training Room (80 capacity), Lower Level Training Room (20 capacity), and Lower Level Showroom (up to 4 vehicles).
• Legal/D&I Services Employment law advice provided by Fisher & Phillips, LLP on retainer for year-round counsel on employment issues. Diversity & inclusion services include audits, policies, and forms at discounted rates for members.
• Auto Outlook Reports Monthly and quarterly reports providing vehicle registration numbers, market trends, and new/used vehicle sales data for the Greater Philadelphia region. Member login required to access reports.
• Driving Force Magazine Monthly signature publication distributed to all members providing event recaps, member highlights, and industry news. Advertising opportunities are exclusive to Associate Members.
• Dealer Member Search An online directory allowing consumers to search and find ADAGP member dealerships by brand across the Greater Philadelphia region, covering Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
• Annual Golf Outing Annual golf tournament held each year in late Spring, benefiting the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation. An exclusive member networking event.
• Annual Dinner Meeting Annual networking event for members to hear what the Association has been accomplishing throughout the year, held each year in late Fall.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of in-market attendees reported the Philadelphia Auto Show influenced their future purchase decision (up from 78% in 2025); 34% added brands to their consideration list after attending.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and significant.

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1986CHOP is the primary beneficiary of the Black Tie Tailgate, ADAGP's annual philanthropic gala. Since 1986, the event has raised more than $10M for CHOP. Since 2018, proceeds have specifically supported CHOP's Department of Nursing. The 2026 Black Tie Tailgate raised more than $300,000 for CHOP. ADAGP and its Foundation trustees maintain a long-term strategic partnership with CHOP, identifying it as a core community investment.
• Milwaukee Tool (Official Tool Sponsor — Tech Comp)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMilwaukee Tool serves as the Official Tool Sponsor of the annual Tech Comp (Greater Philadelphia Auto Technology Competition). As the official tool sponsor, Milwaukee Tool provides tools and equipment for the hands-on competition workstations used by 24 high school senior finalists. This sponsorship provides Milwaukee Tool with brand visibility among aspiring technicians and industry professionals.
• Automotive Training CentersignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive Training Center (campuses in Exton & Warminster, PA) is both a scholarship partner and on-site volunteer organization for ADAGP's Tech Comp competition. The school participates in the hands-on event, provides instructors and volunteers, and receives scholarship support from ADAGP for its students.
• Community College of PhiladelphiasignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity College of Philadelphia is a Tech Comp scholarship partner. Bill March, a representative of the college, serves on the Tech Comp volunteer committee. The institution participates in the competition and receives scholarship support from ADAGP for automotive technology students.
• Lincoln Technical InstitutesignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerLincoln Technical Institute (campus in Levittown, PA) is a scholarship partner for ADAGP's Tech Comp competition, participating in both the written exam and hands-on event portions. Ron Parson from Lincoln Tech serves on the Tech Comp committee. The institute is also a Golf Outing hole sponsor.
• Universal Technical InstitutesignificantStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversal Technical Institute (campus in Exton, PA) is a scholarship partner for Tech Comp. Dexter Pascoe from UTI serves on the Tech Comp volunteer committee. UTI participates in the competition and receives scholarship support from ADAGP for students pursuing automotive technology careers.
• Fisher & Phillips, LLPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFisher & Phillips, LLP is on retainer to provide year-round employment law counsel to ADAGP Dealer Members. The firm also offers diversity and inclusion audits, policies, and forms at a discounted flat fee for members. This is a dedicated legal services partnership providing compliance support to the dealer network.
• Pennsylvania Automotive Association (PAA) / PennDOTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAA and PennDOT operate a branch titling office on the first floor of ADAGP's East Norriton headquarters. This on-site service allows Dealer Members to handle title work locally rather than traveling to Harrisburg. Hours: 8:00AM–4:30PM Monday–Friday.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pennsylvania Automotive Association (PAA): PAA is the statewide trade association representing Pennsylvania franchised new car and truck dealers, operating an on-site titling office inside ADAGP's headquarters. As the parent state association with overlapping dealer membership and policy mandate, PAA is the most directly comparable peer organization.
• Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA): GNYADA is a regional automobile dealer trade association serving the New York metro area with a similar dealer membership model, training programs, and event portfolio. Its scale and service mix closely mirror ADAGP's, making it the most direct regional peer.
• New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (NJ CAR): NJ CAR is the statewide trade association representing New Jersey franchised new car and truck dealers, with a comparable membership model, dealer services, and policy advocacy scope that operates in a contiguous geographic market to ADAGP.
• Automobile Dealers Association of Greater New Orleans: A regional automobile dealer trade association that, like ADAGP, combines dealer membership services with a signature annual auto show and philanthropic community programs. It serves as a peer benchmark for regional dealer association operating models in another U.S. market.
• Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA): CATA is a regional dealer trade association that produces the Chicago Auto Show, one of the nation's largest consumer auto shows. It is highly comparable to ADAGP in combining a major signature auto show with dealer membership services and community philanthropy.
• Washington Area New Automobile Dealers Association (WANADA): WANADA is a regional automobile dealer trade association serving the Washington, D.C. metro area with a similar franchise-dealer membership base, advocacy mission, and Washington Auto Show production function. It is a directly comparable East Coast regional peer.

Broad incumbents

• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): NADA is the national trade association representing franchised new-car and -truck dealerships in the United States. It serves as the umbrella advocacy body of which ADAGP is effectively a regional affiliate, making it the natural broad-incumbent comparison for scope, advocacy function, and member services.

Regional players

• Motor Trades Association of New Jersey: A regional automotive trade association serving New Jersey dealerships, with a comparable dealer-services and advocacy mandate but focused on a different geographic market than ADAGP's five-county Philadelphia footprint.
• Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association (MSADA): MSADA is a statewide dealer trade association operating in a different region than ADAGP but with a directly comparable business model, franchised-dealer membership base, and advocacy and dealer-services mandate.

Others

• Fisher & Phillips, LLP: Fisher & Phillips is the employment law firm on retainer to ADAGP providing legal and D&I services to dealer members. While not a peer trade association, it is a key service partner whose offerings to other regional dealer associations position it as an adjacent ecosystem participant comparable through ADAGP's member-services structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/phillyautoshow
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/philadelphia-auto-show---automobile-dealers-association-of-greater-philadelphia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Automobile Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia