To get you set for the 2024 Digital Dealer Conference & Expo (#DDCE2024), we want to give you a layout of what programs, talks, exhibitors and events are being offered this week.
We begin #DDCE2024 on Oct. 8 with the keynote session titled Modern Sales Tactics and Strategies to Navigate the New Normal. Brad Lea, global entrepreneur and host of “Dropping Bombs” podcast, Nelson Lyles, managing partner and GM, Withers Automotive Group, and Sean V. Bradley, president, Dealer Synergy, will be together on stage to equip attendees with the strategies needed to thrive in today’s competitive market.
We talked to Bradley last week, who sees the keynote as opportunity to set the tone for the show. He notes that getting advice from a top global podcaster, a Dealer Magazine cover story leader, and an international sales trainer who’s reshaped the industry, represents a unique opportunity to develop strategies that can make the difference between merely getting by and skyrocketing to the top in 2025.
“Digital Dealer is the preeminent digital conference in in the entire automotive industry. The keynote needs to the thesis statement of the industry,” said Bradley. “What we want to be able to do is go through how the market changed. I want to be able to go on that stage with these amazing co-presenters and tell the audience ‘here is a snapshot of the industry October 2024’ and what to do to be successful moving forward.”
GA4, EVs & AI, Oh My!
Bradley, Lea, and Lyles will reveal top sales tactics and best practices to help you dominate today’s evolving automotive market. From innovative recruiting and onboarding strategies to the unconventional yet powerful use of international call centers and BDCs, this session will give you proven blueprints for success you can implement right away.
The next day, GA4, EVs & AI, Oh My! is a keynote panel that will headline the morning session. Join panelists “Big” Al Gillespie of Mark Wahlberg Automotive Group, Kevin Frye of Jeff Wyler Automotive Family, and April Simmons of Horne Auto Group for an engaging conversation moderated by Eliana Raggio from Dealer eProcess.
Attendees will hear how this team of automotive marketing wizards is evaluating marketing effectiveness with Google Analytics 4 (GA4), developing initiatives for greater electric vehicle (EV) sales success, the plans they are making to survive in a cookie-less world, and so much more. Click your heels together three times and join us—because there’s no place like a live presentation filled with innovative strategies, actionable insights, and industry wisdom.
Sessions Overview
Over the past few months, we have spotlighted the individual and panels who will be leading the sessions that can be found on our #DDCE2024 news page. These session is your chance to discover innovative solutions and gain cutting-edge strategies, actionable insights, and new ideas to implement for maximum impact.
To help you navigate the 2.5-day event at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, click on the scheduled for sessions geared to fixed ops, dealer ops and leadership, marketing and advertising and sales and variable ops attendees.
One of the best parts about attending the Digital Dealer Conference & Expo is meeting new friends. And #DDCE2024 is no exception We have new leaders in the automotive industry that will give presentations over the three days at the conference on subjects such as advertising, social media, customer experience, artificial intelligence and much more.
Exhibitor Spotlight
We spotlighted over 20 new exhibitors covering a range of expertise in marketing, CRM & DMS Solutions, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, payment platforms and so much more.
One of the favorite events for attendees at the 2024 Digital Dealer Conference & Expo is our Mastermind Sessions. We have four Masterminds slated for this year: Dealership, Lead Generation, AI, and Marketing & Advertising. These sessions, held on each day of #DDCE2024, are tailored to the interests of those in the auto industry, where you will be encouraged to engage in a peer group exchange, sharing best practices, ideas, and success strategies to propel dealership success.
As part of our networking programs, the Women’s Meetup will feature the five leaders who make up the inaugural Women’s Meetup Ambassador Program at the Innovation Lounge Oct. 8, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. The Ambassadors will share stories of support in the industry, insights into what fuels their passion for the Women’s Meetup, and more.
For more of our networking events, including the Dealer Vendor Exchange, a networking lunch sponsored by MXS Solutions, Speed Networking Program and Happy Hour in the Expo Hall starting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, click here.
Dealer Awards
As part of our continuing efforts to celebrate the auto industry and those involved, Digital Dealer is proud to announce the Digital Dealer awards program for 2024. We received over 50 nominations for the five categories. The nominees are:
Best Dealer: Kristi Alguire, Anderson Auto Group; Greg Freeman, Lilliston CDJR; and Liza Myers Borches, Carter Myers Automotive
Best New Product: Informativ’s Total Solution, Affinitiv’s Activator Suite, myKaarma, Reunion Marketing’s KeyLift and LocalEyes platform, EMG’s Creative-as-a-Service and Dealer eProcess.
Best Marketing: Automotive Marketing Gurus’ Jonathan Thompson, Anthony Morales and Alicia Brooks, DriveCenter and Demand Local’s Christine Gago; Affinitiv, Dealer eProcess, and Pigg Enterprises.
Best Use of AI: CHAMP Titles, BizzyCar, Lotlinx, Dave Cantin Group and Dealer eProcess.
Impact Award: Enrique Gago, COO of DriveCenter Complete Auto Care and CarSparc; Arnold Gacita, CEO, Petra Automotive; Jonathan Thompson, Founder and CEO, Automotive Marketing Gurus; Alicia Brooks, Marketing Director, Automotive Marketing Gurus; and Brad Paschal, Market President, Dynatron Software.
We look forward to a great 2024 Digital Dealer Conference & Expo!