Top 4 Ways to Get the Most Out of Digital Dealer 2026

Digital Dealer moves to Detroit this year, September 22-23 at Huntington Place. Here's how to spend your time so you leave with helpful insights (and a bag full of swag).

1. Attend the right learning sessions

You can't sit in every session, so pick the ones that solve a problem you have right now. Here are three worth putting on your calendar:

• From Rankings to Recommendations: What 1,600 Automotive Searches Reveal About Winning Google AI Overviews (Tuesday, 1:30-2:30 PM). This session breaks down real search data across three markets and shows how dealership pages earn citations in Google AI Overviews and in tools like ChatGPT and Claude.

• Unified, Actionable, Profitable: Building a CDP Strategy for the Modern Dealership (Tuesday, 10:10-10:30 AM). Your CRM, website, service history, and marketing data probably live in separate systems. This session gives you a practical framework for connecting them so you stop losing deals you didn't even know were at risk.

• Stop Checking the Box: The Small Fixes That Make or Break Engagement (Tuesday, 10:40-11:00 AM). A hands-on look at the small details in email, SMS, and follow-up that move the needle on appointments and showroom visits.

Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down one action item per session. You'll act on it faster once you're back at the dealership.

2. Walk the expo floor and ask vendors these three questions

The expo floor holds more than 100 exhibitors, and it's easy to walk past the ones that would actually help you. Slow down at booths that solve a problem on your list this quarter, and ask each vendor these three questions:

1. What metrics do you use to measure success, and how do they connect to my business goals? Impressions and engagement don't sell cars. Push for vendors who report on turn rate, days-to-move, and profit margin instead.
2. Do you track my competitors' inventory levels and movement? Looking at your own inventory only tells part of the story. Competitor inventory data helps you spot changing demand, identify where vehicles are moving fastest, and adjust your pricing and merchandising strategy before units start aging on your lot.
3. Can you show me a live demo of your solutions in action? Ask the vendor to prove the solution works. A live walkthrough beats a slide deck or a recorded video, and it's an even better sign if they can run that walkthrough using your dealership's own data.

Write the answers down. You'll compare vendors better once the show floor noise fades.

3. Go to the networking events and happy hours 

Some of the best information at any conference comes from a five-minute conversation with another dealer who solved the exact problem you're facing. Here's what's on the calendar:

• Networking Breakfast (Tuesday, 8:15-9:15 AM). A low-key way to start the show before the keynote.
• Bar Crawl (Tuesday, starting at 5:30 PM). A self-guided tour through four of Detroit's iconic bars. It's free for attendees and exhibitors. Trade what's working, talk through what isn't, and build relationships that outlast the show floor.
• Networking Lunch at The Pit Stop (both days, 12:30-1:30 PM). Grab a plate and sit with dealers you haven't met yet.
• Women In Dealerships Power Session (both days, 12:10-12:30 PM). Open discussion on career growth and network building followed by a chance to connect with the group over lunch.

Show up, introduce yourself to someone you don't know, and ask what's working at their store right now.

4. Get your competitor insights report

Before you leave Detroit, find out exactly where you stand against the dealers competing for your buyers. Stop by the Catalyst IQ booth (Booth 229) and get a free market insights report built around your closest competitors. You'll see:

• Your rank on pricing, inventory, and visibility in your market
• Where you show up (or don't) when shoppers ask AI platforms about dealerships in your area
• Which vehicles on your lot need a pricing or marketing push, based on a daily VIN-level score

MarketAI tracks nearly 20,000 franchise dealers and 99% of independent dealers nationwide, so the data reflects your market as it stands today, not last month's numbers.

Make the most of your time in Detroit 

Digital Dealer gives you two days to learn, network, and evaluate new tools. Spend them on the sessions, conversations, and booths that answer real questions about your business, and you'll leave with a plan.

Want a head start before the show even opens? Schedule time with Catalyst IQ now, and we'll walk you through your competitor insights and a free AEO audit so you know exactly where your dealership stands in AI search.

Schedule Your Demo

About Catalyst IQ

Catalyst IQ is a full-service automotive marketing agency that helps dealerships make smarter decisions and sell more cars using real-time data, AI-powered insights, and expert human support. From digital advertising and web presence to SEO, AEO, and lead engagement, every solution works together to drive measurable growth.