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PR & News Digital Dealer - Is it Back?

Previously as an OEM level consultant, I found little value in it myself, or as a dealer beyond getting some product demos.

As a vendor, even less valuable.

Sometimes there are some decent takeaways in the break out sessions, or you meet some awesome operators, but in large I don't see it being a worthy investment of time or money today.

Maybe I will be wrong. I look to be convinced that conventions outside of NADA have value beyond vendor sourcing.
 
I think the highlight and reason to go would be the Brent Wees AI Hackathon, he's a beauty and a pro: AI Hackathon | Digital Dealer

Yes he is - I also think the AI educational/news content he's putting out on LinkedIN is some of the best in a sea of AI slop posts.

We did just book our booth for Digital Dealer, so we'll find out soon enough if Detroit works.
 
Yes he is - I also think the AI educational/news content he's putting out on LinkedIN is some of the best in a sea of AI slop posts.

We did just book our booth for Digital Dealer, so we'll find out soon enough if Detroit works.

Brent is the best...but as a former DD loyalist, multi year and location speaker, absolutely not for the kind of money they want. I skipped Vegas (and we skipped a booth) for the first time in over a decade last year. I intended to walk it this year because Detroit is drive-able.

Then I heard the ticket price.
 
Brent is the best...but as a former DD loyalist, multi year and location speaker, absolutely not for the kind of money they want. I skipped Vegas (and we skipped a booth) for the first time in over a decade last year. I intended to walk it this year because Detroit is drive-able.

Then I heard the ticket price.
$3,500 and no early bird. Same as last year. Absolutely outrageous for what you get.
 
Good thread, thanks for the input! I would like to attend in order to do some speed AI demos at the expo, but agree the $3,500.00 is a high price to check out vendors. The Hackathon is also tempting, to pick Brent and attendees' brains. I plan to be in Detroit for that week, and may end up paying the ounce of gold price, if folks are attending we could try to connect for a beer!
 

✨ AI Highlights

Dealers and vendors debate whether Digital Dealer's 2026 Detroit conference is worth attending, with the dominant sentiment being that the $3,500 ticket price is unjustifiable given a vendor-heavy floor and little dealer-focused content. The one bright spot repeatedly cited is Brent Wees' AI Hackathon, though several veterans say they'd rather fund private training than pay conference prices. A telling data point closes the thread: with seven weeks to go, nearly 45% of booth space remains unsold.

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