Plan Your Agenda
Get ready for the DrivingSales Executive Summit. Plan out your agenda and get the most out of your DSES experience
Oct. 9-10, 2022 | The Bellagio, Las Vegas
DSES 2022 Agenda
Check back frequently for agenda updates!
- Oct 9
- Oct 10
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Check-In
Get checked in and prepare for two days of game-changing training on the latest strategies and insights.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Women In Automotive | Breakout
Breakout session focused entirely on the critical role of women throughout the industry.
1:00 PM PDT
Kick off DrivingSales Executive Summit 2022!
Buckle up for another great DSES!
1:10 - 1:30 PM PDT

DSES Introduction: Riding the Wave of Upcoming Opportunities
Jared introduces the focus of DSES and presents several industry opportunities that each dealer can take advantage of in the coming year.
1:30 - 2:20 PM PDT

Sustaining Innovation vs. Disruptive Innovation: Defending and Harnessing Both Types of Innovation to Achieve Long-term Success
Discover how you can build and sustain a successful dealership in the face of great market and technological change.
2:20 - 3:00 PM PDT


Fireside Chat: How to Make Innovation a Part of Your Dealer Culture
Rory & Jared will break down which threats your dealership will be faced with and how to transform them into competitive advantages.
3:00 - 3:20 PM PDT
Afternoon Coffee Break
Take a quick break to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and get ready for the first round of workshops!
3:20 - 4:00 PM PDT
Breakout Sessions #1
![]() | Breaking the Silent Roadblocks of Growth and ProgressIn a hyper-connected, consumer experience driven world, both internal and external culture is crucial to attracting and retaining both customers and employees. Dealership culture seems to be considered almost impossible to influence or course correct due to the connotation of difficulty. Many don't even attempt to address it. Others don’t even see there are culture issues to address that are prohibiting growth and progress. Both ideologies are wrong. Let's bust those myths, dive in, and fix your culture! By breaking down dealership culture into 4 focused key steps (Strategic hiring and placement, Breaking silos, Effective leadership, and Total accountability), Subi & Ashley will help you create a roadmap with easily digestible pillars that can quickly influence a dealership’s overall environment and a plan to continue to evolve and grow with your community and employees. Presented by: Subi Ghosh & Ashley Cavazos Track: Hire and Develop Better Talent |
![]() | Employee Management Game Theory: Progressive Dealer Framework to Solve the Current and Future Workforce ProblemsLet’s face it, we’ve always struggled with recruiting, engaging, and retaining our employees. COVID and supply-chain issues forced us to rethink the way we price, service, and communicate with our guests. For many dealers and employees, this was an unexpectedly-prosperous time. As dealerships and employees enjoy this temporary shift in supply-demand power, it’s important to remember that it is temporary. As the markets normalize and the power shifts back to the consumer, most employees will be left with poor habits and lower incomes. At that point, money will no longer be the only motivating factor and many employees will be enticed by other industries and their employee management practices: work-life balance, work from home, guaranteed compensation, etc. To future proof our dealerships, we must implement modern solutions and be more aligned with the needs of the modern workforce.
Presented by: Jason Volny & Courtney Paschal Track: Hire and Develop Better Talent, Leadership in a Remote World |
![]() | How to Modernize Your Sales Operations, Stay Compliant, and Become More EfficientTo stay relevant and competitive in the rapidly changing automotive retail industry, dealers need to refine their practices and incorporate new technology into their operations. Join this Q&A session to hear directly from two successful dealers who have committed to modernizing the car buying experience.
Presented by: Natalia Griner, Neb Yonas & Adam Silverleib Track: Modernize The Sales Process |
![]() | What HELPs and What’s just HYPE—Decoding Brilliance from BS!Data Transparency, Marketing Automation, & AdTech, AI and more! Keeping up with automotive marketing trends is a BIG job. Learn top trends and implementation tips from top industry leaders.
Presented by: Sean Stapleton & Bryan Armstrong Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
![]() | A Case Study in First-Party Data with the Germain Motor Company and Clarivoy: How to Look at Your Consumer Data in 2023There is a lot of buzz around utilizing your first-party data in your marketing. Why? Attend this session to learn how Germain utilizes its first-party data and cookieless targeting to sell more cars. Presented by: Steve White & Shaun "Niff" Kniffin Track: Implement Agile Inventory Management |
4:10- 4:50 PM PDT
Breakout Sessions #2
![]() | What Your Still Missing About Marketing: Eliminate These Common Mistakes And Your Operations Will ThriveUnderstand how to find areas of your marketing that are delivering vanity metrics and discover the real metrics that will drive your dealership forward. Take steps to understand your metrics and what needs to be reviewed to deliver real results. Stop spending pointless money (including co-op) before developing an effective budget and strategy based on real-world data. Presented by: Gary May & Nick Degnan Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan, Increase Fixed Ops Absorption |
![]() | Our Data Has Failed Us. Why This Happens and How to Fix It.It starts by (fully) accessing and using your own data.
Presented by: David Steinberg & Chip Alvey Track: Modernize The Sales Process |
![]() | AI: The Hidden Secret to Decreasing Your BDC CostsIn this workshop, you'll uncover the weakest link in the dealership, along with the #1 automotive chatbot myth that's driving up BDC costs. We will unpack the communication process problems as well as the solutions that conversational AI provides to dealerships. Attendees will listen to real mystery shop phone calls and identify opportunities for improvement. Case studies will be reviewed so that dealers can learn from the successes of their peers. This workshop will then take a look at the future of AI in automotive so that dealers can be better prepared for future trends.
If you want to find out how conversational AI can eliminate dropped calls, and dramatically decrease the time it takes to set service appointments, then this workshop is for you! Presented by: Josselyn Boudett Track: Modernize The Sales Process |
![]() | Constructing a Winning Digital Marketing Strategy in Today's Times: Looking at Insights and Trends on Consumer Buying BehaviorIn this panel, Kristin Thompson, Sales Director at Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, along with Robert Baugh will discuss how to leverage the insights and takeaways from the Cox Automotive Car Buyer study to help dealers construct a winning digital marketing strategy. We’ll examine the top 6 takeaways from the Cox Automotive Annual Car Buyer Study and how they’re affecting your dealership - such as the online search journey, digital engagement and retailing, and the benefits of a streamlined purchase - but backed by extensive research and data from all of our brands, we’ll provide ways for you to construct a winning digital marketing strategy in today’s times.
Presented by: Kristin Thompson & Robert Baugh Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
![]() | Bookend Your VDPs Like a Pro!High-impact strategies to drive quality traffic to your VDPs while ensuring timely engagement after the consumer leaves your website.
As a dealer, you invest significant money and time in maximizing the value of your Vehicle Details Pages on your website. The VDP is the heartbeat of your website, providing consumers valuable insights to make an informed vehicle purchasing decision. Key takeaways for this session include:
Presented by: Jason Barrie & Erika Maley Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
5:00 - 5:40 PM PDT

MVI - Most Valuable Insight
Inventory Management is Lead Management, but CRM's Do Not Run That Way.
- Become an expert in understanding the difference between current lead management metrics and how to measure them effectively.
- See how inventory affects lead provider performance. You will maybe reconsider not canceling the 3rd party listing sites.
- Learn how inventory managers can help work leads and how lead management can help move inventory.
5:40 - 6:30 PM PDT

Digital Disruption Requires a New Strategy for Building Great Teams
Today, no companies can promise long-term employment. The future is just too unpredictable. Find out what dealers CAN offer to help employees take ownership of uncertain careers and futures.
6:30 - 6:40 PM PDT
Daily Wrap Up
Listen to a recap of day one and get ready for an evening of partying with your peers!
6:40 - 8:00 PM PDT
Opening Reception
Finish day one and rub shoulders with other dealership executives.
8:00 - 9:00 AM PDT
Breakfast
Fuel up for another impactful day of training, discover, and insight!
9:00 - 9:10 AM PDT
Kick Off Day Two!
Day two picks up right where we left off with exclusive insights, actionable tactics, and inside looks from industry experts. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy.
9:10 - 9:50 AM PDT

Sneak Peak at the Latest Google Updates
Dominating Google search has always been a moving target. You need the latest information to help you develop an effective strategy to maximize the ROI of your marketing efforts.
Plus, get an inside look at the 2023 Dealer Playbook, emerging trends uncovered by Google, and the impact of Vehicle Listing Ads into the new year!
10:00 - 10:40 AM PDT
Breakout Sessions #3
![]() | In Market Shoppers are Destroying Automotive Digital: Why Coca Cola Doesn't Only Advertise to Thirsty PeopleInstead of "magic moment marketing", dealers need to adopt a long game strategy to advertising.
Presented by: Dave Lemmon & Brody Dezember Track: Increase Fixed Ops Absorption |
![]() | A Leader's Only Silver Bullet: Creating a Coaching Culture at Your DealershipThis presentation shows how coaching impacts business. Training and coaching are contrasted. Four coaching processes will be taught along with implementation techniques (Metric, Aspirational, Turn-Around, and Observational). Overall, creating a coaching culture can be any dealership's ticket to trusting your team, eliminating employee turnover, ongoing growth regardless of market conditions, and true fulfillment for yourself and each person on your team!
Presented by: Sean Kelley Track: Hire and Develop Better Talent |
![]() | From Stressed to #Blessed Fire up Your Sales Staff using Tik Tok!Promote a Fun Culture at the Dealership in Sales, Finance, Service & Parts while driving brand awareness and optimizing Sales using Tik Tok!!
Presented by: Gail Rubinstein & Mark Rask Track: Modernize The Sales Process |
![]() | The Definitive Guide to SEO in 2023Every sale starts with a search. Learn how to maximize your visibility in local searches with a customized SEO strategy.
Presented by: Greg Gifford & Max Lopez Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
![]() | Laws Have Changed! Stay in Compliance While Saving ThousandsThe laws have changed! Learn how to recapture up to 75% of your Credit Card expenses without disrupting CSI.
Presented by: Amberly Allen & Laura Mellencamp Track: Increase Fixed Ops Absorption |
10:40 - 11:00 AM PDT
Morning Break
Time to stretch, get the blood flowing, and grab a quick snack before our next Breakout Session!
11:00 -11:40 AM PDT
Breakout Sessions #4
The Most Important Investment You Will MakeThe way inventory is acquired and sold is often segmented and one department doesn't see the value of the next. Bring the inventory lifecycle full-circle and create operational efficiencies that will withstand the coming recession and volume slow-down.
Presented by: Hugh Hathcock & Jeremie Leach Track: Implement Agile Inventory Management |
Setting Up Your Service Advisors for Success Online Like You Do Your SalespeopleIn Depth look at what we do on your website to setup salespeople for success and reverse engineering for service advisors.
Presented by: Brad Paschal & Bryan Armstrong Track: Modernize The Sales Process, Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
Personalized Video Bootcamp: Interactive Training WorkshopIncrease engagement, enhance customer experience, and have fun doing it! We all know video is a valuable engagement tool to break through today’s noise. But how can you use personalized video techniques throughout the sales cycle to connect, convert opportunities and close deals more quickly?
Presented by: Steve Roessler & Heath Patterson Track: Modernize The Sales Process |
Hi, My Name is A.I. Will You Hire Me? Absolutely!Discover how using AI can enhance the customer experience, reduce or enhance your current headcount, and grow revenues! In this session you will see how a Dealer Executive has used AI to streamline the buying and appointment setting process, maximize budget efficiency in advertising, market to the people who need to be marketed to when it’s appropriate, and reduce friction on internet leads when they hit the CRM. Presented by: Gray Scott Track: Modernize The Sales Process, Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
Family Feud: Digital Marketing EditionAn incredibly interactive digital marketing session done in the style of everyone's favorite game show: Family Feud.
Presented by: Eric Miltsch & Joe Stroffolino Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
11:50 - 12:50 PM PDT
Best Idea Presentations
See the results as the winners are announced on the main stage.
12:50 - 1:50 PM PDT
Lunch
Time to catch your breath, connect with colleagues, and tuck in for a delicious lunch.
1:50 - 2:50 PM PDT
Listen to finalists compete on stage and present the year's top solutions to help dealers increase profitability.
2:50 - 3:30 PM PDT
CEO Visionary Panel
What is looming on the automotive horizon? How will dealers handle the next 12, 24 months? Listen in as top CEOs discuss what's coming around the corner and what opportunities will be there to capitalize on.
3:30 - 3:50 PM PDT
Afternoon Coffee Break
Grab a pick-me-up, stretch those legs, and prepare for our next Breakout Session!
3:50 - 4:30 PM PDT
Breakout Sessions #5
![]() | Adopting a Less-Is-More Approach in Modern Fixed OpsIn a world of excess everything, savvy dealership operations are learning that less is best when it comes to fixed ops. Learn how less paper (or none at all), less need for face-to-face interaction, less manual or double data entry, and less money handling all means increased efficiency and a better experience.
Presented by: Ashley Fedor & Joe Castelino Track: Increase Fixed Ops Absorption |
![]() | Single Point of Contact: How to Create a Customer-Centric Experience for Gen-Z and MillennialsSingle point of contact is a modern way sell cars that creates a smoother and more customized car-buying experience.
Presented by: Heather Finkey & Mike Anderson Track: Modernize The Sales Process |
![]() | What Are the Advantages of Building New Technology Rather than Buying?More and more auto groups are building their own technology instead of going with a vendor. There are some tempting advantages, but it comes with a cost. I'll explain how to decide if it makes sense to develop your own tech and give you insights on some of the bumps you may experience while navigating the build process. Presented by: Colton Ray Track: Hire and Develop Better Talent |
![]() | A Deep Dive into Vehicle Listing AdsVehicle ads, the latest SEM functionality from Google, are a performance-focused, lower funnel ad format which allows auto advertisers to promote their entire inventory of vehicles to interested customers shopping for vehicles on Google. This session will take a deep dive into what they are, how to implement them, and how to get ahead of your competition.
Presented by: Alex Melen & Ben Stewart Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
![]() | How to Buy 100+ Cars a Month from the Public MasterClassLearn how Danny, Rob and other dealerships have transformed the way they acquire, merchandise, market and sell vehicles resulting in a $3.4 million yearly increase of profit.
Presented by: Danny Zaslavsky & Rob Ruth Track: Implement Agile Inventory Management |
4:30 - 5:10 PM PDT
Breakout Sessions #6
![]() | Bridging the Gap for Women in AutomotivePresented by: Kathy Gilbert Track: Hire and Develop Better Talent |
![]() | Using Google Analytics 4 to Power Your Online Service MarketingIn this session, you will learn how to implement and inspect online service marketing campaigns using the new Google Analytics 4 platform. Session Takeaways:
Presented by: George Nenni & Owen Moon Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
![]() | Controlling Your Subprime MarketWith the economy in flux, credit score changes as a result of inflation, and bank programs tightening up dealers' financial well-being are frustratingly out of control. In order to thrive in these new conditions, Paul Sansone Jr and his team have created a new system and process for financing that give control back to the dealership. The strategies shared in Paul's presentation will help your dealership tap into new target markets, learn that outside-the-box thinking can be extremely profitable, and generate extreme profit from customer loyalty by providing unique value to your sub-prime market. Presented by: Paul Sansone Jr Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
![]() | If You Build it, They Will Stay: Build a Scorecard for Any Role WorkshopIn this hands-on workshop, discover how to build a scorecard to fit ANY job, ANY role to improve performance and output. - Help your employees know what they are being measured against and avoid spending time & effort on unimportant tasks Presented by: Jason Volny & Bart Wilson Track: Hire and Develop Better Talent |
![]() | Meeting Changing Consumer Appraisal ExpectationsLearn how consumer expectations have significantly changed and what dealers need to do to win trade-ins today based on research.
Presented by: Micah Tindor & Jonathan Hakes Track: Build a Progressive Marketing Plan |
5:20 - 6:10 PM PDT

One-Degree Shifts: The Future of Automotive Retail
Jared Hamilton presents his insights on the future of automotive retail. Discover how dealers can approach different types of innovation. Uncover how recent innovations will impact the dealership business model. Learn the threats and opportunities dealership executives need to be aware of and how they can thrive in the coming years.
6:10 - 6:20 PM PDT
Summit Wrap Up
Soak up a few final thoughts as we wind down DSES 2022
6:20 - 7:30 PM PDT
Closing Reception & Awards Ceremony
Wrap up the event in style at the closing reception
Get Registered Today
Reserve your spot to join the top dealers at this year’s DSES, Oct 9-10, 2022 at The Bellagio, Las Vegas
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