March 8–11, 2026 | Sheraton San Diego, California
Intelligent Growth in the Age of AI
At VitalEdge Evolve 2026, we bring together dealership leaders, OEM partners, industry experts, and technology innovators for three days of learning, networking, and collaboration, all focused on empowering your dealership’s Intelligent Growth.
This year, we’re adding a new dimension: AI in Dealership Operations. You’ll explore practical, real-world ways AI can help solve challenges in predictive maintenance, inventory forecasting, customer engagement, and operational efficiency without the hype.
Why Attend?
1
Purpose-Built Innovation
Discover dealer-specific strategies for leveraging technology, from optimizing inventory to enhancing customer experience with AI as a driver for better decisions and efficiency.
2
Operational Excellence
Hear from dealers and industry experts on strategies for leveraging technology, from optimizing inventory to enhancing customer experience, with AI as a driver for better decisions and efficiency.
3
Actionable AI Insights
Through workshops, panels, and case studies, understand how AI is being applied across the industry, how to prepare your data, and how to run successful pilots.
4
Powerful Networking
Engage with peers, industry leaders, and VitalEdge product experts through interactive forums, innovation stations, and social events.
Featured Speakers
Richie Etwaru
Richie Etwaru is a strategist who operates across regulated and non-regulated industries, guiding the trajectories of companies, countries, and communities. His career spans global supply chains in manufacturing, energy, and natural resources (including advising major manufacturers such as John Deere and Boeing) along with deep leadership across the pharmaceutical and financial services industries. Richie advises governments worldwide on privacy, AI ethics, and AI safety, and holds multiple patents in Artificial Intelligence. He has worked across the full AI supply chain, from production to application to large-scale consumption, and orchestrates entire ecosystems of models. As CEO of Mobeus, he is reimagining every human–machine interface through a patented balance between determinism and probabilism.
Todd Cohen
Todd Cohen is a global keynote speaker, author, and sales-culture expert who has spent more than two decades helping organizations improve collaboration, accountability, and customer impact by adopting a “Sales Culture” mindset. His transformative approach shows that everyone—not just sales teams—plays a critical role in shaping client relationships and driving business growth. Known for his engaging style and actionable insights, Todd has guided leaders, teams, and entire organizations in building cultures that enhance performance, strengthen customer connections, and deliver measurable improvements in revenue, retention, and engagement.
Agenda Overview
Day 1: Sunday, March 8 - Welcome & Registration
Attendees check in, meet the event team, and connect with peers.
Evening Welcome Reception — Networking with fellow dealers, partners, and presenters.
Early Registration will be from 4:00 PM – 5:30PM
Day 2: Monday, March 9 - Vision & Innovation
A high-energy kickoff featuring:
- Vision and key updates from senior leadership
- What Intelligent Growth means for the dealership of today and tomorrow
- A keynote on the rise of practical, responsible AI in real operational workflows
Experience Rooms Open
Hands-on product spaces for both e-Emphasys and IntelliDealer, showcasing new capabilities, upcoming enhancements, expert demos, and open Q&A.
Platform Deep Dives (Parallel Sessions)
Separate tracks for each system:
- e-Emphasys Roadmap & Innovation Deep Dive
- IntelliDealer Roadmap & Innovation Deep Dive
Attendees explore new features, enhancements, and strategic direction—no fluff, just practical value.
Dealer Forums: Driving Excellence in Every Department
Three specialty forums running in parallel so attendees can “choose their own path”:
- Service Forum: Technician scheduling, AI-assisted maintenance, service planning best practices
- Parts Forum: Inventory accuracy strategies, fulfillment optimization, tips & tricks
- Sales Forum: CRM optimization, data-driven selling, lead intelligence
These sessions blend product insights, practical workflows, and dealer-led experience sharing.
Main Stage Spotlight Sessions
- Modernization in Motion: How the Cloud Accelerates Dealer Agility
OEM Executive Panel: Navigating the Next Decade of Intelligent Dealerships
Day 3: Tuesday, March 10 - Customer Success & Industry Collaboration
How connected rental operations are becoming a growth engine for modern dealerships. Real stories, utilization strategies, and a forward look at expansion markets.
Dealer Panel: Innovation on the Front Lines
Dealer principals share real transformation stories across service, sales, rental, and customer experience. Highly actionable and candid.
Product Announcement
A forward-looking glimpse into next-generation intelligent tools designed to transform dealership workflows, focusing on practical use, responsibility, and value.
Breakout Workshops
- Virtual Customer Experience + BI Insights
- Rental Operations: Best Practices & Transformation Stories
- Data & Analytics Enablement
- AI Dealer Workshop
Attendees choose based on their operational focus. These sessions are interactive, practical, and built for immediate takeaways.
Day 4: Wednesday, March 11 - Industry Insight & Recognition
Top industry voices discuss market forces shaping equipment distribution and service models.
Dealer Excellence Awards
Celebrating innovation, operational excellence, and customer success.
Event programming ends at 11:00 AM
Conference Highlights
Visionary Keynotes
Thought leaders share strategies for navigating market volatility, leading through change, and responsibly integrating AI into dealership operations.
Deep-Dive Breakouts
Platform-specific IntelliDealer and e-Emphasys sessions with proven operational strategies, readiness planning for AI, and dealer-tested best practices.
Dealer Functional Forums
Service, Parts, and Sales forums address critical challenges and opportunities, including how AI can enhance productivity, accuracy, and revenue.
OEM Interactive Panels
Insights from major OEM partners on technology integration, data collaboration, and AI opportunities using OEM data streams.
Innovation Stations
Hands-on learning zones featuring demos, concept exploration, and an “AI in Action” corner for predictive maintenance, service scheduling, and customer support scenarios.
Peer Panels & Case Studies
Real-world dealer success stories, including examples of AI-driven improvements in efficiency and profitability.
Dealer Excellence Awards
Recognize outstanding achievements and innovations from dealerships across the VitalEdge community.
An Offsite Designed to Be Remembered
Evolve doesn’t stop when the sessions end. Our offsite experience is built to bring everyone together in a way that’s fun, immersive, and unmistakably Evolve. Expect an energetic atmosphere with interactive entertainment, unexpected moments, and plenty of ways to connect with peers outside the conference setting. It’s a night designed to celebrate the community and give you something to talk about long after the event wraps.
What You’ll Experience Offsite:
- High-energy DJ setting the tone for the night
- Flight simulators for hands-on, unforgettable fun
- Custom photo backdrop and booth to capture the moment
- Trucker hat patch bar with personalized takeaways
- Live entertainment with a surprise guest that may look very familiar, bringing high-flying energy to the night
- Plenty of space to relax, mingle, and connect with fellow attendees
Tickets & Registration
Secure your place today and join the premier event dedicated to dealership intelligent growth.
Event Venue
Experience San Diego at its best at the fully reimagined Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina fresh off a $100M redesign and set right on the waterfront. With exclusive attendee room rates, coastal-inspired rooms, innovative meeting spaces, lively dining, and endless on-property activities, it’s the perfect place to stay, learn, and unwind during Evolve 2026. And with a complimentary airport shuttle service, getting here is effortless.
What You’ll Enjoy On-Site:
- Three resort-style pools overlooking the marina
- Four new dining concepts, from Baja-inspired cuisine to a SoCal brewpub
- Complimentary airport shuttle (4:45 AM–12:00 AM daily)
- Easy access to paddle boarding, bike rentals, yoga classes, live music & more
Sponsors & Partners
VitalEdge Evolve 2026 is supported by leading OEMs, technology providers, and industry organizations. Explore sponsorships designed to maximize engagement and ROI.
Stay Connected
Don’t miss updates on key speakers, session details, and special announcements.
Contact Us
We look forward to seeing you in San Diego, let’s empower Intelligent Growth together.