Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association

What Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association does

Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association (KADA) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1938 and headquartered in Frankfort, Kentucky, with a staff of 9. It represents franchised automobile and truck dealers and used car dealers across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, organized into six districts. KADA's core functions are legislative and regulatory advocacy in the Kentucky General Assembly and before the Motor Vehicle Commission, member education through Kentucky Dealer University, networking through an annual Family Convention and district meetings, and political action through KADET (established 1981). Membership is sold on an annual subscription basis: $1,600 for new car/truck franchised dealers, $495 for used car dealers, and $695 for allied members.

KADA's product portfolio spans membership and advocacy services, the KADA Forms Library (Kentucky-specific F&I documents developed with Reynolds & Reynolds and Hudson Cook), and the KADS health insurance program (a subsidiary offering group health benefits through Integrum Advisors). Distribution runs through a web-based member portal (Atlas platform), an email newsletter, a quarterly Kentucky Auto Dealer magazine, the Kentucky Horsepower podcast, and in-person events. Revenue is generated from membership dues, event registrations and sponsorships (with sponsor packages priced from $4,275 Bronze to $50,000 Headline for the Family Convention), workshop fees ($195 per person), and commissions or referral economics from the 20+ Preferred Partner vendors.

KADA operates a Salesforce/CRM-light member engagement model rather than a technology product model; its competitive position is built on regulatory access, an 85-year dealer community, and its Preferred Partner distribution channel. The association reports no funding rounds, no acquisitions, and no material headcount expansion, and is governed by a Board of Directors whose 2026 leadership includes Chairman Ed Hyde (Legacy Automotive Network), Chair Elect Bob Hook III, Vice Chair Fred Tolsdorf, and Treasurer Travis Flaherty. Jason Wilson has served as President since January 2021.

Name

Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association

Legal name

Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association

Website

https://kyada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KADA is a non-profit trade association founded in 1938 that represents franchised automobile and truck dealers and used car dealers across Kentucky, providing legislative advocacy, education through Kentucky Dealer University, group health insurance via KADS, and an annual Family Convention.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from franchised automobile and truck dealers, used car dealers, and allied members. New Car and Truck Franchised Dealers pay $1,600 flat rate annual dues. Used Car Dealers pay $495 annually. Allied Members pay $695 flat rate dues. Dues billing runs from January 1 to December 31.
2. Event Registrations and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from event registrations including workshops ($195 per person), convention registrations, and sponsorship packages ranging from $4,275 (Bronze) to $50,000 (Headline) for the annual KADA Family Convention.
3. Educational Programs: Kentucky Dealer University provides dealership-based education with virtual and in-person classes covering compliance, taxes, and human resources. Workshops such as Title Clerk Workshop and Dealership Operations Workshop are priced at $195 per person.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KADA is a membership-based trade association representing Kentucky's franchised automobile and truck dealers, used car dealers, and allied automotive service providers. Its core offerings are annual membership subscriptions, legislative and regulatory advocacy before state agencies, dealer-centric education through Kentucky Dealer University, networking via conventions and district meetings, and access to vetted Preferred Partner Programs with negotiated pricing.

Product overview

Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association (KADA) is a trade association founded in 1938 that represents Kentucky's new and used car dealers. The organization offers a portfolio of member services including legislative advocacy, health insurance through KADS, educational programs via Kentucky Dealer University, the KADET political action committee, conventions and events, and a magazine/newsletter publication. KADA also provides preferred partner programs connecting members with vetted vendors for wholesale marketplaces, F&I products, compliance automation, data analytics, insurance, payment processing, and other dealership services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KADA Membership & Advocacy
• KADS (Kentucky Automobile Dealer Services)

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration15 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OPENLANEcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNationwide wholesale vehicle marketplace that revolutionizes how dealers buy and sell inventory. For more than 25 years, OPENLANE has pioneered innovation focused on making wholesale easy. KADA endorsed preferred partner providing wholesale marketplace services to members.
• Dominion DMS / VUE NetcoreTechnology or IntegrationVUE Net is explicitly designed for car dealerships to minimize disaster impact and ensure business continuation. Provides web-based DMS for parts, sales, service, accounting and OEM integrations.
• Dealer Performance GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWorks with F&I offices providing exceptional service, products and training to guarantee dealership compliance. Offers resources to help make reinsurance programs a profit center. Partners with EasyCare.
• ComplyAutocoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud-based compliance automation platform used by more than 9,000 dealerships nationwide. Helps with state privacy and federal compliance goals including GLBA's Safeguards Rule. Offers intrusion detection, MFA, device encryption, and monitoring.
• Cross-SellcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides vehicle sales data reporting to dealerships nationwide for over 30 years. Data sourced directly from Kentucky DMV for timely monthly reporting to help dealers make decisions based on market activity.
• Digital Air StrikecoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital marketing, reputation management, AI chat and lead response solutions helping dealers attract, convert and retain more customers.
• CHAMPtitlescoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading provider of digital vehicle title, registration, and lien systems of record in the U.S. Simplifies title management with centralized platform.
• Priority Commerce AutomotivecoreTechnology or IntegrationTransforms dealership payments from a rising expense into a powerful revenue center. Delivers compliant managed surcharge programs averaging annual savings of up to $84,000 per $10,000 of monthly expense per rooftop.
• Dynatron SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationPremier provider of automotive Fixed Operations data analytics software, comparative insights, and expert coaching. Finds hidden data-driven opportunities in dealership fixed ops.
• ADMIC (Automobile Dealers Management Insurance Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides competitively priced workers compensation program designed exclusively for Kentucky auto dealers through Higginbotham.
• Integrum AdvisorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCreates customized health insurance plans tailored to dealer needs. Provides best value in compliance, cost containment, advocacy, communication, education, and technology.
• MCAGcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry leader in class action settlement recovery services. Shares expertise in class action litigation claim recovery through tailored services.
• MOC Mid-AtlanticcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeading provider of innovative products and solutions to automotive dealerships. Provides ability to buy necessary products, tools and equipment at manufacturer direct pricing with local and regional service.
• NADA Retirement (Empower Retirement)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCompetitive retirement program specifically designed for dealers and their employees offered through NADA.
• Reynolds & ReynoldscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndustry leader since 1871 in providing documents and supplies to automotive retailers. Offers state-specific F&I documents under LAW brand and innovative marketing services. Partnered with KADA on forms library.
• Merchant AdvocatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHelps dealerships get best rates and fees on credit card processing. Extensive automotive experience helping businesses save money without switching processors with no upfront costs.
• VitucoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides innovative 50-state title and registration services backed by highest level of customer service. Reimagines how drivers, businesses and administrators interact with vehicles.
• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational trade association representing franchised new car and truck dealers. KADA works with NADA on legislative affairs, PAC, show events, and dealer education programs. NADA provides resources, training, and national advocacy.
• Ally FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides online banking, auto financing, and investment services. Exclusive sponsor of TIME Dealer of the Year award, contributing $1,000 to each nominee's charity.
• Kosair for KidsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKADA maintains partnership with Kosair for Kids as part of dealer philanthropy efforts, supporting the Kentucky Automobile Dealers Relief Fund.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Regional players

• Automobile Dealers Association of Greater St. Louis: Regional automobile dealers association serving the St. Louis metro area. Operates under the same trade-association model with dealer advocacy, networking events, and educational programming, but at a metropolitan rather than state scale.

Direct peers

• Tennessee Automobile Dealers Association: Tennessee state trade association representing franchised new car and truck dealers. Direct peer operating similar legislative advocacy, education, and convention programming in an adjacent Southeastern geography.
• Indiana Automobile Dealers Association: Indiana state automobile dealers association. Direct peer with analogous membership structure, legislative advocacy focus, and annual convention offerings. Comparable geographic scope and member profile.
• Ohio Automobile Dealers Association: State trade association for Ohio franchised automobile dealers. Directly comparable in structure, mission, and revenue model (dues, conventions, education). Larger membership base than KADA given Ohio's bigger dealer population.
• Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (VADA): State-level automobile dealers association serving Virginia dealers. Most directly comparable peer—KADA President Jason Wilson served as VADA General Manager from 2012-2021 before joining KADA. Both operate under the same trade-association model with membership dues, advocacy, and education.

Broad incumbents

• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA): National umbrella trade association for franchised new car and truck dealers across the U.S. KADA partners with NADA on legislative affairs, PAC activity, and national advocacy. NADA is the national counterpart KADA operates within at the state level.
• American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA): National trade association representing America's international nameplate automobile dealerships. Adjacent peer focused on a subset of dealers (import brands) with parallel advocacy and member-service functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-Ax4wOq5yJAcUCfn2A7eUg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/kadainc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kentucky-automobile-dealers-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association