Industry Summit 2018 to Feature Technology Shootout
Set for mid-October in Orlando, this year’s Industry Summit will include several new features and events, including the inaugural Technology Shootout.


Industry Summit 2018 will be held Oct. 8–10 at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy Caribe Royale
ORLANDO, Fla. — Organizers of the annual Industry Summit announced that this year’s event will include the first-ever Technology Shootout, one of several new features planned for this year’s show. Industry Summit 2018 will be held Oct. 8–10 at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Fla.
The Technology Shootout will feature 10 companies selected by organizers to deliver a live, 10-minute presentation on a new and exciting dealer- or F&I-targeted solution or a fresh twist on an existing software category or product type. The winner will be chosen by audience vote.
“As the industry evolves and progresses, so must Industry Summit, and you will see plenty of evidence of that this year,” said David Gesualdo, show chair and publisher of F&I and Showroom and Auto Dealer Today. “The Technology Shootout is only one example.”
An all-new RV and Powersports track also is expected to make its debut at this year’s show, joining such returning features and events as sales and F&I training, Compliance Summit, and compliance training and certification by Automotive Compliance Education (ACE).
This year marks Industry Summit’s second visit to Orlando and third time away from its longtime home of Las Vegas. Last year’s event, held at Dallas’ Gaylord Texan Resort, was a critical success despite a series of devastating hurricanes that kept attendees and speakers from parts of Texas and the Southeast at home.
“Last year’s show was bereft of Florida dealers, and this year’s show could very well be dominated by them,” Gesualdo said. “All we can do is roll with the punches and deliver the best possible event for our attendees and supporters, and we fully expect 2018 to be the best Industry Summit ever.”
More information about Industry Summit 2018 is available at the event’s website. To discuss sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, contact David Gesualdo at (727) 947-4027 or via email.
More F&I

Modern Technology Objection Handling
In this video, Trent White shares how to confidently handle technology-based objections by helping customers understand the value of protection, even with modern vehicle technology.
Read More →
Consistency at Scale: Driving F&I Performance
With 75 rooftops across the Sunshine State, Morgan Auto Group has proven to Floridians that it knows a thing or two about driving performance in a competitive market. But it didn’t start at the top.
Read More →
Gitty Up on GAP
The foundational finance-and-insurance product hasn’t kept up with the latest conditions for auto dealers. Is the time ripe?
Read More →
How AI-Powered Coaching Is Transforming F&I Performance
See how AI-powered coaching can turn F&I customer conversations into actionable insights that support compliance, performance and profitability
Read More →
Sell Value, Build Trust
In this video, Trent White explains why selling on value, not fear, builds lasting customer trust, reduces cancellations, and drives long-term success.
Read More →
F&I Sales Give Dealers First-Half Lift
Product business shored up total profits to avoid an overall revenue tanking as product penetrations held steady, StoneEagle reported.
Read More →
Targeted Training Drives Results
Today’s technology, instead of threatening F&I managers, can actually make them better, according to an industry veteran who’s watched market setbacks roil the unprepared.
Read More →
Double the Change, Double the Chance
When an F&I manager gets a customer refusal, it’s a wise move to tweak more than one thing in the product offering.
Read More →
Just Do It
F&I managers need training, but instead of resisting application or expecting perfection, they should improve by simply acting on what they learn.
Read More →
Dealer Lender Preferences Revealed
When lenders provide consistent, fast service, their overall satisfaction scores with dealers greatly improve, according to JD Power research.
Read More →