NHADA’s Annual Convention: Celebrating 100 Years

In case you missed it, three videos were screened at the convention — all available on YouTube, below:

NHADA 100 Year Tribute Video - Short (2:08)

NHADA 100 Year Tribute Video - Long (23:12)

NHADA 100 Year Tribute Photo Slideshow (5:53)

We honored our legacy by inviting all the living past Chairs of the association to partake in the convention and 19 of these volunteer leaders joined us for a group photo (below) on Sunday.

Top Row:  Left to Right
David Hammer, Miles Cook, Shawn Hanlon, Jack Tulley, Andy Crews, Jeff Platek, Larry Foss, Rich Lovering, Jay McFarland

Bottom Row: Left to Right
Roger Groux, Ken Plante, Chris Weiss, Susan Moynahan, Peggy Proko, Donna Gaudet Hosmer, Lisa Nast, Bob Grappone, Dave Allen, Mike Kopp

50th Annual NHADA Convention at the Balsams Grand Resort Hotel: June 26-29, 1994

Seated (left to right): Francis Hebert (1961-62), Eddie Cantin (1987-88), John Gauthier (1971-72), Vincent Tulley (1970-71), John Grappone (1964-65), Frank Costello (1956-57), Phil Dunlap (1950-51), John Howe (1950), Conrad Carignan (1963-64), Jack Dunn (1989-90); Standing (left to right): Guenter Mathoni (1973-74), Paul Holloway (1991-92), Joe Yergeau (1985-86), Butch Roberts (1974-75, 1992-93), Bill Dube (1986-67), Wayne McCarthy (1983-84), Peter French (1981-82), Jim Proko (1982-83), Archie Burnett (1988-89), Doug MacKenzie (1977-78), Dave Allen (1993-94), Phil Cross (1972-73), Vincent Taccetta (1966-67), Tom Manter (1969-70), Rene Plante (1980-81)

On Sunday, we were joined by State Senator Erin Hennessey and Executive councilor Joe Kenney. Our guests (dressed in bell-bottom jeans and purple shades) enjoyed great food and drink, fireworks, and entertainment by the Motor Booty Affair to conclude the 1970s-inspired evening.

Monday morning began with an inspirational Keynote presentation from Devon Harris (pictured below), a three-time Olympian and Jamaican native, who believes in the “5 Ps” as a recipe for success.

Following the presentation, attendees partook in on-site activities such as the golf tournament, whiskey tasting, lawn games, crafting, and more. Local activities such as the Gondola Ride, Cog Railway, and Hiking were also available. Not long after great entertainment by the Scott Spradling Band, the guests made their way down to the speakeasy for a nightcap and some great conversation.

The convention concluded with our annual meeting where Past Association Chairs Shawn Hanlon and Lisa Nast were thanked for their service, and current Chairman Jay McFarland received the gavel.

Following some closing remarks, our guests briefly heard Robert Quinn, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Safety, and Elizabeth Bielecki, Director, NH Division of Motor Vehicles (pictured below).

Before our guests checked out, they watched a 20-minute video to recap the association’s history. Past chairs, current members and partners, and friends of the association all shared their favorite moments as we went on a trip down memory lane.

This event would not have been as successful as it was without the support of our event sponsors, including the prime sponsor Auto Auction of New England. A full sponsor list is available, here.

We can’t wait to see the same faces and hopefully some new ones next year at Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith.