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Writer's pictureJamie Szczecina

Digital Dealer Conference 2024 Recap

Digital Dealer 2024 was a resounding success, bringing together industry leaders and innovators to discuss the future of automotive retail. Here’s a recap of key moments and insights from the event, especially for our teams at XDC and AMG.



AMG Keynote Panel - WHO and WHAT is Important?

Our very own Jonathan Thompson (AMG) had a Keynote Panel discussing Demand Creation vs. Demand Capture alongside Michael Sargeant (Sunroad Automotive), Jennifer Myers (Kunes Auto Group), Evangeline Sutton (Clement Auto Group), and Theresa Balk (Auto Boutique). This was a standout session, showcasing the power of relationship-building within the automotive industry. Jonathan delivered an energetic presentation that emphasized the importance of internal relationships and culture in dealerships—a critical focus for success in today's market.


His insights resonated deeply, evidenced by audience members capturing slides throughout the presentation. Attendees were left feeling inspired and informed, as Jonathan underscored that happy employees lead to better customer experiences and retention. The entire recording of this impactful session will be available on November 1st, and we encourage everyone to take the time to watch it!



AMG - Winner of the 2024 Best Marketing Award

We are thrilled to announce that AMG has been named the 2024 Best Marketing Award recipient by Digital Dealer! This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to excellence in automotive marketing and is based on nominations rather than a traditional evaluation process.


This award celebrates our innovative marketing strategies and the measurable success we've achieved in customer engagement and brand visibility. It reflects our hard work and dedication to elevating our clients' marketing efforts, and we couldn't be prouder!


Check out Digital Dealer's announcement, for more information on this!



Notable Attendees from XDC and AMG

Digital Dealer 2024 attracted an impressive lineup of attendees from both XDC and AMG, including:


  • Alex Cimmerer (AMG)

  • Anthony Morales (AMG)

  • Terry McSpadden (XDC)

  • Jerod McLachlan (XDC)


Key Sessions and Takeaways:

During Digital Dealer 2024, Anthony and Alex attended several insightful sessions that provided valuable takeaways for our teams at XDC and AMG. They learned about the Disruption Score from Gee Automotive Companies, which introduces a formula to assess vendor value based on potential impact on strategy. The Digital Retailing Revolution session explored how dealerships can adapt to ongoing transformations in automotive sales experiences. In Improving Website Conversions, the focus was on enhancing mobile engagement through user-friendly designs and effective engagement metrics, with an emphasis on payment calculators as highly clicked CTAs. The Four Ways to Attract Shoppers Before They Even Submit a Lead session highlighted the importance of internal consistency in messaging for sales teams. Finally, Next Generation Strategies emphasized personalization and transparency for Gen Z consumers, noting that many prefer tailored experiences and clearer buying processes. Attendees are eager to implement these insights into relevant practice with our dealer partners, ensuring that we stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.


During the event, Anthony noted a strong vendor presence, featuring major booths from Cox Automotive, CDK, and Gubagoo, alongside smaller vendors like MNTN and Leadbox. Jerod engaged in discussions with industry leaders, including Bradley Johnson about partnerships and explored a potential white-label opportunity with Peter Boesen and Eric Miltsch. Alex highlighted the need for personalization, with 63% of Gen Z shoppers preferring tailored vehicles, and emphasized that 73% of consumers are more likely to buy when the process is transparent. Key sessions addressed enhancing vendor relationships, advanced lead generation techniques, and the importance of balancing demand creation with capture. The introduction of a "disruption score" and a focus on feedback for continuous improvement inspired strategic thinking, positioning XDC for future success.



Digital Dealer 2024 was an enriching experience for all involved, showcasing innovative ideas and strategies that will shape the future of automotive retail. With AMG's recent award win and the insights gained from sessions, our teams are well-equipped to drive change and lead in our industry.


We look forward to implementing these strategies and sharing further insights as we continue to grow and innovate together. Stay tuned for the upcoming release of the JT Keynote Panel recording—it's not to be missed!

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