For the first time ever, Digital Dealer is partnering with Car Dealership Guy (CDG) for its 2026 event, taking place in Detroit, Michigan, from Sept. 22-23.
Behind the partnership: Digital Dealer historically comes with an agenda built directly based on dealer feedback, interests, and questions.
Sessions are usually organized around what dealers say they're actually dealing with day-to-day across AI and data technology, digital retail and eCommerce, CRM and customer experience, fixed ops, and sales and performance management.
The expo floor is then built for hands-on access with live product demos and direct conversations with the teams building the tools, rather than passive browsing.
“I’ve attended countless industry events as both a dealer and a vendor. That experience gave me a clear sense of what creates real value, which is why we were excited to support this event,” Jay Law, Head of Partnerships at CDG, told CDG News.
Jay Law
But why CDG? Every day, CDG brings together operators, founders, and industry leaders through news, podcasts, community discussions, investment opportunities, and more.
No matter the format, the goal is to create the industry's most trusted platform for dealers to learn from one another.
Collaborating with Digital Dealer this year is no different than that.
“CDG has become a trusted voice in the automotive retail space because they understand the market, the challenges the dealers are facing, and the conversations that matter most right now,” Jaymie Nielsen, with Digital Dealer, told CDG News. “Their industry expertise, credibility, and connection to the dealer community make them a strong partner for Digital Dealer as we work to deliver more relevant content, stronger connections, and real value for audience.”
Jaymie Nielsen
Looking ahead: Timing also plays a key role in CDG’s interest here, with the event taking place toward the end of September.
“The time of the year is great because, with other conferences, by the time you go at the start of the year, and you apply what you learned, or onboard with a new partner, it's Q2 already,” Law said, adding, “A near-October show is key because attendees can take what stuck and hit the ground running in the New Year.”
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September 22–23 | Huntington Place | Detroit
