AM’s hugely popular Digital Dealer Conference returns this year and bookings are now being taken.

Taking place at Whittlebury Hall Hotel, near Silverstone, Northamptonshire, on Tuesday September 6, the conference incorporates experts from the industry, dealer speakers who shine a light on their digital strategy and best practice seminars from some of the sector’s leading suppliers.

Among those taking to the stage will be Simon Dixon, founder of Hyundai business Rockar, the innovative retail model which has shown how car buyers are ready for a new way of purchasing their vehicles.

With stores now operating in Bluewater, Kent, and Stratford’s Westfield shopping centres, Dixon will shine a light on their business and share some of the findings it has amassed since opening almost two years ago.

Meanwhile BMW has also demonstrated a growing appetite among customers to buy their vehicles online with its online retail initiative, which, at the time of the conference, will be approaching its first birthday. Project manager Paul Kester will tell their story and talk about how the brand is integrating its online and in-store strategies.

Exploring the digital dealership even further, Francois de Bodinat, CMO of UK-based digital agency Zerolight and the technological specialists behind Audi City, provide an insight into the 3D-configurator.

Hailed as a ‘game changer’ by analysts Frost and Sullivan, the 3D configurator doesn’t just deliver the ‘wow’ factor in terms of enabling customers to ‘look’  round the car and even take a virtual test drive, but is also a powerful datacapture tool.

Headline sponsor Carwow’s sales director John Miele will draw on its vast swathes of data which has been analysed with the help of data experts Experian to uncover insights into today’s car buyer who is opting to purchase their next new car with the aid of its website which puts customers in touch with dealers who can meet their requirements and emphasises the importance of high quality service over price.

Leo Nelson, marketing director of Carshop, the multi-site car supermarket which also represents the MG franchise, explains why the company is undergoing a further website revamp just a year after it won AM’s award for best website. Opting for a mobile-first strategy which replaces its current responsive website, Nelson will also draw on their stats which shows more than 70% of its customers access its website via smartphone or tablet.

Tickets are available to dealers and manufacturers, with a limited number of supplier tickets on sale.

To book, please contact Nicola Baxter on 01733 468289, email nicola.baxter@bauermedia.co.uk  or visit www.amdigitaldealer.co.uk