TYSONS, Virginia. – Steve Pitt, a veteran of the trade show and hospitality industry, passed away on August 13 at the age of 76. Pitt worked for the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) for 47 years. Pitt most recently served as senior vice president of NADA’s Conventions and Exhibitions group, responsible for the annual NADA Show, before retiring in early 2022, immediately following his final NADA Show in Las Vegas.
During his tenure, Pitt helped grow the NADA Show to a global audience of over 20,000 attendees and over 600 exhibitors. He also helped grow the NADA Show to over 700,000 square feet, consistently ranking it among the Trade Fair Manager‘s 100 Gold Shows, which recognize the best trade shows in the United States with the largest exhibit spaces.
“Steve will be remembered for his leadership, dedication and success in transforming the NADA Show into the automotive industry’s event of the year,” NADA President and CEO Mike Stanton said in a statement.
Pitt was involved in various industry organizations including the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). He also served on the client advisory boards for convention centers in Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando and San Francisco. Pitt was also an Air Force veteran and was active in the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR).
“Steve Pitt was a great man, both professionally and personally. He treated everyone with respect, whether they were a vendor partner or a NADA staff member. He had a big heart and will be missed by all,” said Sallee Pavlovich, vice president of national accounts and trade shows for New Orleans & Company. Pavlovich led the NADA account and worked with Pitt for more than 30 years.
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Pitt’s history with the NADA Show in New Orleans dates back to September 11, 2001. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the entire NFL schedule was disrupted, resulting in the Super Bowl, which was scheduled to be held in New Orleans, being postponed by one week, the same weekend that the NADA Show was scheduled to take place in New Orleans. The city could not host both events simultaneously. Pitt worked with the New Orleans CVB to reschedule the show and allow the Super Bowl to take place.
“Steve had a tremendous impact on our industry and will be missed by all,” said Elaine Williams, senior director of sales and services at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. “I was fortunate to consider him both a friend and a mentor, as he helped me understand the convention industry from the day I met him in 1997. Steve also had an impact on the city of New Orleans during his time at NADA, leading the organization as it made several contributions over the years to local charities, including helping to rebuild local schools and providing critical funding to the Second Harvest Food Bank. We are deeply saddened by the loss of Steve Pitt.”
Contact Elaine Williams at ewilliams@mccno.com