We had a great time at Digital Dealer Tampa, seeing everyone and all the learning, connecting, and innovation. Digital Dealer Tampa brought together automotive professionals, thought leaders, innovative auto retail solution providers, and experts together May 1-3, 2023, diving into the top ways to optimize sales, service, marketing and advertising, and dealer operations. Check out some of the highlights from Digital Dealer Tampa in this conference and expo recap!
Digital Dealer Mastermind
The May 1 Mastermind was an open discussion around pressing issues for dealers and how to optimize different business areas. The dealers chose the topics, and some of the main discussion areas centered around how the market is changing fast right now, as well as acquiring more used car inventory, hiring in multiple departments (including BDC, Sales, and Service writers and technicians), ChatGPT and AI in general, and for the first time in a while, how to drive more leads. They also covered ad platforms and social posting on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Meetups and the Digital Dealer Kickoff Party
Networking was in full force, with meetups and the Digital Dealer Party at American Social. The party brought everyone together and was a chance to reconnect, spend time with friends, network, and make new connections.
Covering Connected Retailing, Embracing Change, and Challenging Complacency
Main stage presentations kicked off the show on May 2, covering processes, approaches, and technology necessary for sustained success.
First was a talk on connected retailing, presented by Danielle Mills Walden, Director of Dealer Success at Upstart. Danielle discussed overcoming obstacles and the need to get uncomfortable to grow. She challenged everyone to look at their process, from start to finish, asking, is it seamless? Are you being fast, efficient, and transparent? Achieving the type of connected retailing experience that today's consumers want requires looking at things differently from what you're accustomed to and leaning in when feeling "uncomfortable" as it is necessary for growth and to be your best.
Danielle's talk set the foundation nicely for "Nothing Bytes Quite Like Complacency," hitting on some key topics NADA's Academy Director Michael Hayes built on during his keynote address. His presentation highlighted the need to embrace change, adapt to new technologies, and constantly strive for improvement. Michael discussed how a sense of satisfaction with current achievements can lead to complacency and hinder progress, affecting an individual and the growth of an organization. He emphasized the need for a proactive and engaged mindset, continuous learning, and a commitment to growth. By challenging complacency and embracing change, he urged everyone to challenge complacency and embrace change.
Angie Cucco from Google presented the afternoon keynote and talked about taking an AI-first approach. Angie discussed how AI can anticipate customer needs and deliver personalized messages and provided examples of AI in action. She also covered AI's role in other areas, like improving ad campaigns via automating ad creation, broadening keyword targeting based on user intent, optimizing bidding strategies, expanding target audiences, and providing market insights and forecasts.
Actionable Session Address How to Drive Optimal Results and Business
Experts and thought leaders took the stage to discuss cutting-edge trends and tackle key challenges faced by automotive professionals. From digital marketing and customer experience to data analytics and artificial intelligence, the conference covered a wide array of topics. Attendees gained practical knowledge, fresh ideas, proven strategies to implement in their respective roles.
Attendees gained actionable insights from conference sessions. There was a variety of session formats, including labs, Think Tanks, exchanges, and deep dives.
Innovative Solutions, Expo Talks, Hosted Dealer, & More
The expo hall featured the latest advancements in automotive technology, software solutions, customer engagement tools, and much more. Exhibitors continue to bring cutting-edge platforms to virtual reality and other innovative products and solutions, providing new capabilities to dealerships. DVX where attendees got a quick look at a variety of products and solutions available to dealerships. DVX featured presenters from AutoFi, BDC Promotions, Bitesize, Cartender, C-4 Analytics, Chetu, Customer Traac, DAS Technology, Honest Digital, Informativ, InteractiveTel, Konect.ai, Orbee, Repay, and YPV.
Our new Hosted Dealer program offered another way for attendees to get to know exhibitors in a fun, speed networking-style format. The expo hall also had live podcasts, expo sessions, and more.
Digital Dealer Las Vegas
We hope you will join us for Digital Dealer Las Vegas, Oct. 17-19, 2023!