Albany, N.Y. – October 19th, 2015 – Auto/Mate Dealership Systems (http://www.automate.com) announced today that more than 100 of its customers, including dealership executives and managers, attended its annual User Summit. Ten industry vendors also exhibited at the event that was held in Oak Brook, IL near Chicago on October 12th and 13th, 2015. Auto/Mate's User Summit is designed to share the latest features and give in-depth training on Auto/Mate's dealership management system (DMS).

"Attendance exceeded our expectations, indicating that our customers have a real desire to stay up-to-date on their DMS software and learn new ways to increase efficiencies," said Mike Esposito, President and CEO of Auto/Mate. "The attendees also have an open forum to ask questions and give their opinions and ideas. The two-way communication improves the experience for them and for our company, because we can learn first-hand what our customers really want."

Auto/Mate team members organized the two-day event that included a hosted Monday-night cocktail reception, and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday. The User Summit included presentations on new DMS features, break out sessions with Auto/Mate's advanced tech support "Go Team," and a "Town Hall" session with Mike Esposito.

Levi Ketchum, a service advisor with Neuville Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Waupaca, WI appreciated the hard work that went into organizing the event.  “All of Auto/Mate's employees were extremely attentive and involved. The dealer to dealer networking was amazing. I liked seeing the future plans and how Auto/Mate works together with their customers to create a community of positive changes."

"I loved having the chance to chat with the developers in the hallway and ask them questions that popped into my head WAY after I walked out of the classroom," said Andrea Lombardo, Office Clerk for Gregory Hyundai in Highland Park, IL. "I'm excited to see all the changes that are coming out, and I love how Auto/Mate really listens to what the dealer wants."

Seventeen companies sponsored the event, many of them Open/Mate integration partners: DealerSocket, myCARFAX, etfile, Helion Automotive Technologies, 700 Credit, Auto Alert, Great American Financial Services, Halo Branded Solutions, Inland Associates, OptionSoft, Miller Printing, One View, RouteOne, Scan123, ScanIt Parts, StoneEagle and VinSolutions.

Jon Lincoln, VP of Business Development at etfile, said “Auto/Mate’s User Summit was a great and productive event for attendees and vendors alike. The vendor area was full of attendees that were engaged and asking many questions. This was the second Auto/Mate User Summit that we have attended and they just keep getting better.”

All of Auto/Mate's dealership customers are invited to attend the User Summit at no cost (other than travel expenses). The next Auto/Mate User Summit is tentatively planned for the fall of 2016. More details will be announced as they are finalized. For information on attending or sponsoring, contact Jessica Joralemon, Manager of Events & Marketing Communications, at 518-371–4331 or usersummit@automate.com

About Auto/Mate

Auto/Mate Dealership Systems is a leading provider of dealership management system (DMS) software to retail automotive dealerships, typically saving dealers thousands of dollars per month from their current provider. Our Automotive Management Productivity Suite (AMPS) is a user-friendly, feature-rich DMS in use by more than 1,100 auto dealers nationwide. Auto/Mate has received the DrivingSales Dealer Satisfaction Award in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Auto/Mate’s employees have more than 940 years of combined experience working in franchised auto dealerships, the foundation of its “Designed By Car People For Car People^TM” slogan. Auto/Mate is committed to winning its customers’ business each and every month with no long-term contracts and free software upgrades. For more information follow us on Twitter @AutoMateDMS