- Mar 24, 2020
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- Matthew
They are making a push to re-invent themselves by partnering with Car Dealership Guy this year. I hope it works out!
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PR & News Digital Dealer - Is it Back?
- Thread starter craigh
- Start date
- Mar 15, 2012
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- Steve
Detroit? Hard pass. (Not that I've been to a DD in 4-5 years, but if the dates worked and I could make it a semi-vacation, I might attend.)
- Jul 15, 2026
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- Jake
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.
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.
- Oct 16, 2024
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- Chris
I think the real question is, what alternative conventions should dealers, and vendors be attending. MRC, DMSC, etc...
- May 1, 2005
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- Jeff
- Apr 6, 2009
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- Mitch
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.
- Nov 3, 2015
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- David
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.
- Oct 16, 2024
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- Chris
$3,500 and no early bird. Same as last year. Absolutely outrageous for what you get.
- Apr 13, 2012
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- George
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 are debating whether Digital Dealer 2026 in Detroit is worth attending, with the dominant concern being a steep $3,500 ticket price and historically vendor-heavy attendance that leaves dealers feeling it's unproductive. The Car Dealership Guy partnership and an AI Hackathon led by Brent Wees drew some interest, but most veterans said the pricing is hard to justify, with one longtime speaker and exhibitor skipping entirely for the first time in over a decade.
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