Virtual event to spotlight empowerment, engagement, and partnership—featuring dealer voices, CDK innovation, and a full slate of breakout sessions
AUSTIN, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CDK—CDK, the leading automotive retail software provider, will host its fifth annual CDK CONNECT on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. CT. The 60-minute virtual event will welcome automotive and heavy truck dealers, OEMs, and software development partners as CDK addresses current market uncertainty and spotlights the latest tactics and technology that will open new doors of dealer success.
CDK CONNECT event highlights include:
- Trusted Technology Partnerships – CDK President and Chief Executive Officer Brian MacDonald and Rita Case, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rick Case Automotive Group, will provide an update on how CDK continues to partner with dealers through new solutions and services.
- Continuous CDK Innovation – CDK Chief Product Officer Sanjay Almeida and CDK Chief Marketing Officer Barb Edson will showcase the company’s top innovations that are improving customer engagement, driving dealer business performance, and optimizing revenue opportunities at dealerships.
- Empowering Dealers Through Customer Service – CDK Chief Customer Officer KAM McManus and Sam D’Arc, COO of Zeigler Auto Group, will speak to the power of personalized Customer Care with AI-assisted dealer support, rapid response times, and access to extensive training and certification—as well as the keys to delivering exceptional customer experiences in the dealership.
- Automotive Retail Industry Trends – Barb Edson and David Thomas, Director of Content Marketing and Automotive Industry Analyst at CDK, discuss up-to-the-minute industry insights, including tariffs, inventory challenges, and vehicle affordability.
“Dealers are built to succeed, and at CDK, we see that drive in motion every day. As the long-standing trusted leader in automotive technology, we’re proud to fuel dealer success with unmatched access to secure, market-rich data, bold investments in breakthrough technologies like agentic AI, and scalable solutions that deliver measurable results,” said MacDonald. “At CDK CONNECT, we’ll showcase how our trailblazing innovations help dealers turn challenges into opportunity—equipping them with the tools, insights, and support to thrive today and in the future.”
CDK CONNECT will debut:
- Intelligence Suite Pro – The most advanced analytics solution in the CDK Dealership Xperience platform. With customizable reports, AI-driven projections, flexible data integration, and tailored calculations, it puts next-level insight and control directly in dealers’ hands.
- Unified Fixed Operations Quoting and Selling Experience – Transforms parts workflows into one smooth, intuitive process.
- Vehicle Inventory Suite – Harnesses the power of its expansive data ecosystem and advanced AI to give dealers a competitive edge in appraising, pricing, and merchandising vehicles with greater precision and efficiency.
- Direct-From-Web Search Booking – Enables customers to schedule service appointments at dealerships directly from Google Search & Maps results.
- CDK API Data Management on Fortellis – Enhances data transparency while empowering data control for dealers by leveraging third-party integrations.
Attendees will also receive sneak previews of CDK innovations, including new AI-enhanced features for Fixed Operations, Data & Intelligence, Dealership Operations, CRM/Modern Retail, Network & Communications Services, and Customer Service experiences; expanded SimplePay functionalities; and new F&I enhancements and capabilities in Modern Retail.
In addition, the CDK CONNECT event will transition to 11 specialized breakout sessions hosted by CDK automotive and truck retail experts and industry partners on the following topics:
- Delivering on Our Commitment to Your Success
- Powering Dealer Success Through Data
- Confidently Evolve to the Future of Dealership Accounting
- CDK Platform: Powering Dealer Innovation at Scale
- Fixed Ops Evolution: Tools that Drive Efficiency
- Unlocking Innovation with Fortellis
- Driving Innovation: Smarter Tools for Heavy Truck Dealers
- Smarter Selling: AI-Driven Front Office
- Smarter Tech, Stronger Business: The Network Advantage for Dealership Owners with Cisco
- The Payment Platform Designed for CDK Dealers
- Unleash the Power of CDK Data and AI in Your Inventory Management
All sessions will be also available to view on-demand after the event. For more information on CDK CONNECT including registrations, visit CDK.com/connect.
About CDK Global, Inc.
CDK Global is a leading provider of cloud-based software to dealerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) across automotive and related industries. The Company’s cloud-based, software as a service (“SaaS”) platform enables dealerships to manage their end-to-end business operations including the acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, repair, and maintenance of vehicles. By automating and streamlining critical workflows, the integrated platform of modern solutions enables dealers to sell and service more vehicles by creating simple and convenient experiences for customers and improves their financial and operational performance.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Lisa Finney
947-500-8992
[email protected]
