CDX 2018: With just two months to go, these are the top 10 reasons YOU need to attend

10:59 am, March 21, 2018

BELIEVE it or not, there are only two months to go until CDX 2018!

The time has flown by and we are now just weeks away from Manchester Central Convention Complex opening its doors to the UK’s largest automotive expo on May 21 and 22.

With that in mind, here are the top 10 reasons you need to make your way to CDX 2018.

Workshops

With 15 workshops, each taking place at least three times to help you plan your visit, there are sessions for everyone.

Experts from the industry and beyond will be delivering educational and informative sessions covering a wide variety of subjects, including GDPR; marketing; what customers really want from online retailing; delivering more footfall into your dealership; staff recruitment, retention and development; finance and, of course, how to increase profit.

Most importantly, these sessions are designed to help you, not sell a product. You will come away with real ideas to implement into your business the very next day.

Keynote sessions

We have secured a talent pool unsurpassed in any industry event before. Our four keynote workshops will look at the big issues facing the industry. With the help of independent experts, we’ll deliver unbiased opinion and advice.

Paul McGee – number one best selling author of SUMO and the best motivational speaker in the country – will be giving a keynote session on how to get the best from your team.

Professor Jim Saker of Loughborough University will be looking at consumer mobility and the future of vehicle ownership, as well as whether customers will really be renting their vehicles from manufacturers in the future.

KPMG’s Justin Benson will deliver a fascinating session on the future of drivetrain technology and how this could impact retailers, along with a look at whether EVs and FCEVs will be the future and how you need to prepare.

Finally, Richard Jones of Blackhorse will be delivering a state-of-the-nation speech, looking at the next 12 to 18 months in the UK retail automotive industry and giving a view on how Brexit, Dieselgate and PCP plans will impact the industry.

Live Stage panellists

Our Live Stage panels consist of leaders and experts from manufacturers, dealerships and suppliers.

On day one, the Live Stage will focus on the online side of your business, with panels covering topics such as best practice online, social media, website design, new tech and online advertising.

Day one opens with a keynote session from Twitter and closes with our Expert Panel, where some of the key players in the industry will give you their views on the key issues we will be facing over the next 12 months.

Daksh Gupta

In this session, join senior figures Mike Hawes from the SMMT, Daksh Gupta from Marshall Motor Group, Nigel McMinn from Lookers, Justin Benson from KPMG and Richard Jones from Blackhorse as they discuss key topics that will impact the industry, including the demonisation of diesel and whether this is likely to impact consumers’ take-up of diesel vehicles; whether the sales growth of new EVs can continue; and how the supply of these vehicles into the used market will be supported, as well as how Brexit will impact you and your business.

On day two, we look at the physical side of the business as we discuss whether the PCP bubble is about to burst, how to make more profit from each sale, how to merge online with offline, recruitment and retention of staff, and the role of the traditional salesman in the modern-day dealership.

We open with a keynote session from Google, investigating the latest tech trends and what new technology is coming for the industry, and close with another Expert Panel when we will debate with Professor Jim Saker from Loughborough University, Andy Barratt from Ford, John Tordoff from JCT600 and Ken Savage from Perrys on more burning topics that dealers want insight into, such as the growth of PCP and how this is likely to proceed during 2018 and 2019; how used car values are likely to be impacted as supply of stock changes; and a debate on how customers will ‘own’ their cars in future. The panel will also look at consumer mobility and the role that car dealers are likely to play in this potential new world.

Exhibitors

With more than 100 exhibitors already confirmed, CDX is the biggest automotive retail expo in Europe. With show-only deals to be had and new suppliers in abundance, come and see the latest technology or find out if you really are getting a good deal from your current suppliers.

Two-day event

CDX is now a two-day event, giving you more time to visit suppliers and fit in more workshops, all of which are repeated, so you will see more and take more away for your business.

New venue

The Manchester Central Convention Complex is bigger and better than any previous CDX venue. It has dedicated catering and transport facilities, and is only five minutes away from Manchester Piccadilly Station by tram and just 15 minutes from the M6 via a new link road, which delivers you to the doorstep with more than 2,000 parking bays below the venue.

New ticketing

Our new and improved registration system means you can print your tickets at home and get straight into the venue – no more waiting around in lengthy queues.

Networking

CDX is the biggest networking event in the industry – everyone will be there, so make the most of your time and catch up with colleagues.

Parties

Now that CDX is a two-day event, most of the exhibitors will be holding evening events and parties. GardX will be hosting the official CDX party on the night of May 21, with many more springing up around the centre of Manchester. Hotel rooms cost from £79, so stay the night and enjoy both days.