I've been seeing a lot of posts lately about upcoming fall conferences and events. These posts are typically not altruistic. They're written by people with vested interests in specific events, whether that's because they're a speaker or they're the host. Now it's our turn.

For people interested in learning and are considering attending one of these events and aren't sure which to attend, I've created a graphic comparison of the three events specifically being held in October 2011 that may assist people in deciding which event to attend.

In the interest of full disclosure, I work for Dealer Communications who own and put on the Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition. Previously, I worked for DrivingSales who put on the DrivingSales Executive Summit. While some of the attendance numbers may not be exact, they're not far off. These numbers were based on multiple sources that actually attended these events. With the exception of the Digital Dealer Conference numbers (which are accurate), I've given the other events the benefit of the doubt when presented with conflicting attendance reports and used the higher number. If I'm considerably wrong, please let me know and I'll happily correct it.

There are many claims made in some of these conferences marketing that are erroneous, whether that's on purpose or not. As should be plainly apparent, the Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition has everything that the other two events has and more. There is nothing unique about any of these other events.

Why go to a mini-Digital Dealer conference when you can go to the real thing? Nobody has more advanced sessions, more progressive dealers, more sessions to choose from (90), more networking/problem solving opportunities (1,000+ dealers and managers) or a fraction of the vendors to meet with (90+).

The fact of the matter is, you could combine every other dealership technology-centric event and they STILL will pale in comparison to what you can experience at just one Digital Dealer Conference. Because while these various other events contain elements of what you find at Digital Dealer, only Digital Dealer HAS IT ALL.

Every one of these lesser events is run by someone who used to attend, speak and/or exhibit at Digital Dealer. Very similar format as Digital Dealer and they get most of their speakers from the past Digital Dealer events. But while imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and try as they might, they can't replica the winning formula for attendees that is Digital Dealer.

Digital Dealer isn't by far the best technology-centric event for dealers and managers because it's the biggest. It is the biggest because it is the BEST. There is a reason that these events that pop-up can't get any real traction...that none can even come close in dealership attendance to DD3, which was 300 dealers and managers FOUR YEARS AGO!

The reason Digital Dealer has more than tripled in attendance in three years while others are flat or fade away is because attendees keep coming back. This is what separates the growth of Digital Dealer from the others. And WHY do they keep coming back? Because they found Digital Dealer is worth spending three days away from the dealership. And they not only come back, they bring more people with them.

Don't waste valuable time out of your store(s) at copy-cat events. Come to Las Vegas for the REAL thing. The 11th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition. If you're like most attendees, you will be back...probably bringing others with you.

You can get more information and register by visiting our website. Hope to see you in Vegas!