Yes, we can go again!

Digital Dealer Conference & Expo in Las Vegas

Over the next few days, I will be attending the Digital Dealer Conference & Expo in Las Vegas. I know, it’s no hardship to be there, and this time I’m even speaking for the second time, and on the main stage no less! It’s a huge honor to be at the heart of the online automotive industry and to contribute to it.

My presentation is about selling our microcars and city cars via TikTok and why we have chosen an ‘online first, offline second’ experience. This approach wasn’t chosen out of convenience but because it’s the only way to launch a new dealership like Ligier Store Doesburg – Experience Center without an existing customer base, history, or anything like that. Online, you can ‘easily’ find and attract potential customers.

The Expo

Looking at the Digital Dealer Conference, and I’ve written about this before, this conference goes into great depth, especially when it comes to the specialized segments of the online automotive world. For instance, there’s a workshop on Google Analytics 4 specifically tailored for automotive specialists. So, it’s not just a general GA4 course but one focused on car dealer websites. Additionally, there will be attention on AI in lead follow-up, lead generation, inventory management, and buying and selling opportunities. And these are just some of the topics related to the sales side of the automotive industry.

Workshops

There are also workshops and presentations for aftersales, finance, insurance, and damage departments. In short, after I’ve delivered my presentation, I’ll immerse myself in two days of presentations and workshops. I want to bring back as much relevant content as possible, both for articles like this and for my opening presentation at our next #DCDW event. By the way, there are still spots available for anyone interested in improving their skills in the online automotive world!

Las Vegas

Las Vegas, then. A city I’ve been to more than ten times now, and it still amazes me with its absurd prices, among other things. It’s a city made for conferences like this, and dozens of them are held here every week! Besides attending presentations, I have a few other plans. I’m planning to take a morning walk around the Formula 1 track. I’m also heading to St. George in Utah with my partners Koby Jackson and Forest Ward from Calldrip, about a two-hour drive from Las Vegas. Every year, we have our partner meeting there to discuss the opportunities and possibilities for the upcoming year. We also talk about upcoming developments and mutual expectations.

2018

In 2018, we started a pilot with Calldrip at three Toyota dealerships, and now more than 600 rooftops in five different countries are successfully using Calldrip! It’s been a truly successful partnership, both professionally and personally! Speaking of the latter, we hold our ‘meetings’ in a Jeep! We explore various off-road trails near the Grand Canyon and engage in some ‘RedNeck activities.’ We barbecue, visit a shooting range, and ride Harleys. As you can see, we don’t forget the fun factor, alongside our business discussions.

When Koby, the owner of Calldrip, and I spend the whole day in a Jeep, maneuvering around various obstacles, it strengthens our bond. Plus, we have more than enough time to have real conversations about business and personal matters. For me, this way of meeting works great, and I’m thankful to be able to do this.

Topics

If there are topics—and there certainly will be—that are relevant to the Dutch online automotive market, I will, of course, include them in our upcoming #DCDW events on November 19 and 20. Participation is free, provided you work at a dealership, car company, leasing company, or importer! You can register via this link for Antwerp on November 19 and Almere on November 20. See you there!