Automotive Management Live returns to the Birmingham NEC in just 10 weeks, with three conference theatres providing practical insight into the biggest strategic, operational and technological issues facing car dealers.
The conference programme, which is being held on November 11, will be divided into three core content streams covering Strategy and Leadership, Operations, and Technology and Innovation.
Franchised and independent dealers can all register and attend the show for free.
Each theatre will focus on a different part of running a successful automotive retail business, giving delegates the flexibility to build a programme around their own priorities and responsibilities.
From adapting to new competition and protecting profitability to improving aftersales retention and using artificial intelligence AI), the sessions will combine senior-level discussion with practical examples from across the industry.
Automotive Management Live theatre preview
Theatre One: Strategy and Leadership
The Strategy and Leadership theatre will explore how dealer leaders can deliver profitable growth while responding to greater competition, changing customer behaviour and ongoing pressure to attract and retain skilled people. Sessions will combine strategic insight with practical examples covering aftersales performance, workplace culture, new car sales and the effective introduction of technology.
- Lessons from a major AM100 dealer group using parts and service retention to support record performance, profitability and growth.
- Balancing operational efficiency with customer retention as dealer groups expand and integrate new dealerships.
- The role of a healthier and more progressive workplace culture in improving employee engagement, retention and performance.
- Strategies for attracting buyers and converting interest into orders in an increasingly crowded new car market.
- Ways to respond to weakening brand loyalty and stand out as new manufacturers and EV brands expand their UK presence.
- Selecting and integrating dealership technology that supports employees without creating unnecessary complexity.
- Using training, effective workflows and strong leadership to help teams get more from DMS, CRM and other specialist systems.
Theatre Two: Operations
The Operations theatre will focus on the day-to-day challenges affecting dealership performance, from technician shortages and changing customer expectations to used car profitability and vehicle marketing. Sessions will provide practical guidance to help dealers improve efficiency, strengthen the customer experience and respond to a more complex vehicle market.
- Strategies to tackle the technician shortage through stronger recruitment, training, retention and workshop planning.
- Balancing digital convenience with personal service as customer expectations and car-buying journeys evolve.
- Practical approaches to used car sourcing and pricing as supply, demand, electrification and vehicle age profiles continue to change.
- Building buyer confidence across petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles while managing commercial and ZEV mandate pressures.
- Ways to avoid costly marketing mistakes and improve vehicle presentation, pricing consistency and the use of digital channels.
Theatre Three: Technology and Innovation
The Technology and Innovation theatre will examine how dealers can turn investment in AI, automation and connected data into measurable commercial results. Sessions will move beyond the hype to focus on improving productivity, controlling technology costs, converting more enquiries and identifying missed sales and aftersales opportunities.
- Ways technology and data can improve efficiency, profitability and decision-making in an increasingly complex market.
- Practical applications for AI across sales, marketing, CRM and customer engagement.
- Opportunities to automate routine tasks and give dealership teams more time to build customer relationships.
- The potential for connected aftersales data and predictive AI to uncover servicing, repair and upsell opportunities.
- Strategies for creating faster, more consistent enquiry management that strengthens the sales funnel and improves conversion.
- Moving beyond passive reporting to forecast demand, identify bottlenecks and support more proactive decisions.
More than 100 exhibitors in one place
The three-theatre conference programme will sit alongside the largest exhibition in Automotive Management Live’s history.
More than 100 exhibitors are expected to attend for the first time, covering areas including vehicle sales, aftersales, finance, marketing, workshop management, customer experience, data and dealership technology.
Autoflows will headline the event as premium sponsor, while Bumper, Pinewood, CitNOW Group, Payment Assist, TekCor4 and Autoglym are among the leading industry partners exhibiting.
Visitors will be able to compare services, watch product demonstrations and speak directly with businesses developing solutions for automotive retailers.
The exhibition will also provide a platform for newer suppliers and emerging automotive brands looking to establish relationships with the UK dealer sector.
Further exhibitors, speakers and conference sessions will be announced during the final 10 weeks before the event.
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