Cooking is not normally my forte, but I have learned that one can create a delicious meal by practicing a proven recipe several times and with each time slowly adding your own flavor. 

This is the approach I have taken when planning automotive events for car dealers. It’s about finding the perfect combination of proven ingredients and adding new features to spice up the event format.

My goal is to create a “dish” that dealers and automotive professional love because it was created with their needs in mind and delivered passionately.  

Of course, we also want to keep the dish affordable, so hotel rooms are only $125 a night and Dealer Principals receive complimentary registration!

I am excited to announce that AutoCon 2012 hosted by Automotive Media Partners (AMP) and produced by First Class Educators, will spice up the conference recipe with dealer centric ingredients and innovative ways to connect dealers with great new products and services.

New Ingredients for AutoCon 2012

Vendor Sponsored Workshops & Labs

This set of workshops will allow sponsors to showcase their company and products.  The sponsored workshops will be clearly marked on the conference agenda.  Sponsored workshops are ideal for attendees looking for new products and services.  This format will keep the "pitches" separate from the vendor neutral educational workshops and deliver better value to everyone at the conference.

The Sponsored Workshops will also be followed on the same day with a lab session.  This will allow the sponsors to continue their discussion with interested attendees in an area designed for hands on interaction. 

The separate lab time will keep the workshop conversations and presentations flowing. The labs can address specific tactical product questions, which are better answered in a one-on-one setting.  The labs are just like the Genius Bar at an Apple store and no appointment is needed. 

Specialized Workshop Certificate Programs

AutoCon will offer a series of consecutive and integrated workshops on Social Media, Google Analytics, Diversity Training, and Paid Search Management where attendees can attend these full series to get a deeper understanding of the subject matter. 

Attendees, who attend the complete the three-part series of workshops on any single topic, will receive a special certificate acknowledging their attendance and training.   The three-part workshop curriculum will come with a workbook that attendees can take back to the dealership and use to implement what they learned at AutoCon.

Exhibit Hall Categorized For Dealers Research

AutoCon is designed to be a dealer centric event in everyway possible, so we have categorized the Exhibit Hall into six different areas; Social, Local, Mobile, People, Process and Measurement.  The layout simplifies the “shopping” experience to be more convenient and efficient for dealers.

Dealers have commented that it can be hard to find the products and services that they want to research when the exhibit hall is randomized.    

AutoCon 2012 will also offer all-inclusive evening receptions located in the Exhibit Hall which will allow attendees to network with their peers and discuss products with the sponsors.  Adult beverages at the cocktail receptions are included in the admission fee.

Exhibit Hall Supplier Coupons

Sponsors and vendors will be providing attendees with credit vouchers, compiled in a spiral bound book of coupons.  The coupons will provide significant savings off products and services offered to dealers.

Attendees will need to visit the exhibitor’s booth to validate the coupons, and can use the credits after the conference to lock in savings. 

The coupon book will total over $10,000 in supplier credits.  Of course dealers will not need all the services offered in the coupon book but we are confident that their registration and travel costs can easily be covered by the savings they receive from just a handful of vendors showcased at AutoCon 2012.

Audio & Video Recorded Sessions

A common request that I have received from previous FCE events is to provide attendees with the ability to purchase audio and video recordings of the workshops that they could not attend.

We have decided to record each workshop session at AutoCon 2012 and detail on gaining access to the full conference educational sessions will be provided at the registration desk when you arrive.

First Class Educators Signature Ingredients

Several aspects contribute to the overall “signature” experience when attending an FCE event.  I intend on keeping every single one those popular features (or basic ingredients) and adding new ones each year. 

FCE events are well known for their intimate learning sessions, networking during cocktail receptions, dynamic conversions over meals, and well-timed breaks.   At the end of each day, we reward attendees with a comfortable reception and  facilitate building new friendships in the industry.

We labor over the selection of the workshop experiences and research the topics that dealers need to stay ahead of their competition.  For example, at AutoCon 2012 there will be over 60 workshops in two in a half days. 

AutoCon 2012 has also confirmed keynote speakers that dealers love that include; Grant Cardone, Dave Anderson, David Lewis, and Jim Ziegler.   

We have confirmed Lon Safko the author of the Social Media Bible; the most popular book written on the subject.

Finally, the panel discussions at past FCE events have been some of our most well attended sessions, so we are bringing them back at AutoCon 2012. 

Several of our top speakers (including the keynote speakers) will be presenting panel discussion together, and addressing relevant topics we have observed from the dealer community.

I am honored to be a part of the launch of the first annual AutoConnections Conference and Expo, as I truly believe this show will only grow larger and larger each year and become one of the top dealer centric events to attend.

Book Now & Save

I look forward to seeing you on September 5^th-8^that the Aria Hotel and Casino!  Here are important links for you:

Register For AutoCon 2012 By June 30th To Save $200:  Registration Link

Book Your Hotel Rooms at Aria For $125 a Night:  Hotel Booking Link

Conference Brochure Updated Weekly:  AutoCon 2012 Brochure 

Carrie

Carrie Hemphill, Executive Director

First Class Educators

908-601-6475

http://www.FirstClassEducators.com