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.
Event Venue
Experience San Diego at its best at the fully reimagined San Diego Sheraton 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.
Reminder: Hotel reservations close February 19
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
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.
Agenda Overview
Day 1: Sunday, March 8 - Welcome & Registration
Early Registration
4:00–5:30 PM
Pick up your badge, get oriented, and start connecting with fellow attendees before the conference officially begins.
Evolve 101: How to Get the Most from Your Experience
4:30–5:00 PM
A quick orientation session designed to help attendees understand the agenda, navigate sessions, and make the most of their Evolve experience.
Welcome Reception: Connections That Drive Growth
5:30–7:00 PM
Kick off Evolve with a relaxed dinner and networking reception focused on building connections with peers, partners, and the VitalEdge team.
Day 2: Monday, March 9 - Vision & Innovation
Breakfast & Networking
8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Start the day by connecting with fellow dealers, OEM partners, and the VitalEdge team.
Welcome to Evolve 2026: The Era of Intelligent Growth
9:00 AM–9:10 AM
Todd Cohen
Kick off Evolve 2026 with an overview of the event, the Intelligent Growth theme, and what attendees can expect over the next three days.
CEO Keynote: Intelligent Growth, Real Results
9:10 AM–9:40 AM
Vikram Savkar, Chief Executive Officer
Vikram shares how dealers are achieving measurable outcomes through platform modernization, responsible AI adoption, and stronger OEM alignment—connecting strategy to real operational impact.
Leadership Session: Delivering on Our Promises
9:40 AM–10:20 AM
Shriram Rajagopal, Chief Product Officer
Mitesh Shah, Chief Technology Officer
This session provides a transparent update on the commitments made at Evolve 2025 and the progress delivered since. Leaders will highlight key platform advancements, product investments, and modernization efforts shaping the year ahead.
Break
10:20 AM–10:35 AM
Leadership Session: Operational Excellence in Action
10:35 AM–11:00 AM
David Briskman, Chief Operating Officer
Mitesh Shah, Chief Technology Officer
This main-stage update showcases what operational excellence looks like in practice across products, services, and customer experience initiatives delivered over the past year. The session highlights progress against prior commitments, improvements to delivery and readiness, and introduces expanded service offerings designed to support more predictable outcomes and faster time to value.
Opening Keynote: The Conversational Revolution
11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Richie Etwaru
A visionary look at how conversational and agentic technologies are transforming work. Learn how AI-driven systems support people as experts-in-the-loop across service, parts, rental, and customer engagement.
Lunch & Expo
12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Platform Deep Dives (Concurrent Sessions)
Platform Deep Dives: 2026 Roadmap, IntelliDealer
1:00 PM–2:20 PM
Shriram Rajagopal, Chief Product Officer
Adam White, Director of Engineering
A forward-looking roadmap session outlining IntelliDealer’s evolution across modernization, data intelligence, AI-enabled workflows, and customer engagement—grounded in real customer use cases and delivery commitments.
Platform Deep Dives: e-Emphasys Roadmap
1:00 PM–2:20 PM
Mitesh Shah, Chief Technology Officer
Erick Rowe, VP of Product Management
Explore where e-Emphasys is headed and how near-term investments will deliver real operational value. This session covers upcoming releases, applied AI capabilities, and the transition toward modern release management.
Evolve Experience Rooms — Open All Afternoon
Explore. Learn. Ask.
1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Two dedicated Experience Rooms offer hands-on learning, live demos, and direct access to product experts.
Genius Bar (Ask the Experts)
One-on-one guidance from support and product teams.
LMS Table
Enablement resources, registration, and quick demos.
Customer Corner
Peer discussions and informal knowledge sharing.
IntelliDealer Evolve Experience Room
Open 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Demo Stations
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InspectionPlus
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VitalEngage
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FileBound
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Real-Time Billing
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VE Sign
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BI & Analytics
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Insights Agent
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Tech Assist
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CRM
-
Avalara
- Targit
- Integrated Rental
e-Emphasys Evolve Experience Room
Open 1:00 PM–4:00 PM
Demo Stations
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AP Automation
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ePortal+
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eService
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Mobile & Dispatcher Apps
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eInspection+
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VitalEngage
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BI & Analytics
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eCRM Dynamics Online
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eWMS
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Worldpay
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Targit
Dealer Forums (Concurrent Sessions)
2:30 PM–3:30 PM
Dealer Forums: Service, IntelliDealer
A practical forum focused on service operations, technician scheduling, AI-assisted maintenance, and workflow optimization.
Dealer Forums: Service, e-Emphasys
Explore how data-driven planning, predictive maintenance, and AI-assisted diagnostics help modern service teams improve utilization and delivery.
IntelliDealer Parts Forum: Real Workflows, Real Wins
A conversational session on inventory accuracy, replenishment strategies, and practical improvements dealers can implement immediately.
Dealer Forums: Parts, e-Emphasys
Learn how precision inventory control and disciplined data structures drive higher turns, faster response times, and improved availability.
Dealer Forums: Sales, IntelliDealer
An in-depth look at optimizing Microsoft Dynamics CRM for IntelliDealer, including AI-driven lead intelligence and measurable sales outcomes.
Dealer Forums: Sales, e-Emphasys
Explore how connected sales workflows and unified CRM intelligence improve pipeline visibility and customer engagement.
Break
3:30 PM–3:40 PM
Modernization in Motion: Driving Excellence with VitalEdge Cloud
3:40 PM–4:15 PM
Learn how cloud innovation enables scalability, faster releases, and continuous improvement across dealership operations.
OEM Executive Panel: Navigating the Next Decade of Intelligent Dealerships
4:15 PM–5:00 PM
Panelists to be announced
Offsite Dinner & Networking
Evening
Set on the waterfront at Portside Pier, this immersive offsite experience brings the Evolve community together with great food and drinks, interactive entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to network and connect.
Day 3: Tuesday, March 10 - Customer Success & Industry Collaboration
Breakfast and Networking
8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Connect with fellow attendees, OEM partners, and the VitalEdge team before a full day of collaboration and learning.
The Power of Rental: A Growth Engine for Dealerships
9:00 AM–9:45 AM
Alise Moncure, President, Expansion Markets
Ross Johnson, Director, Integrated Rental Sales
From the team behind Integrated Rental, this session explores how connected rental systems, smarter utilization, and integrated workflows help dealerships expand revenue, improve performance, and scale with confidence.
Dealer Panel: Innovation on the Front Lines
9:45 AM–10:30 AM
Panelists to be announced
Dealership leaders share real-world perspectives on transformation across service, sales, and customer experience, highlighting what is working today and what is coming next.
Break
10:30 AM–10:45 AM
The Future of Intelligent Growth: Building the Dealership of Tomorrow
10:45 AM–12:00 PM
Sachin Date, VP of Product Innovation
Mitsu Madhani, Senior Director of Layered Apps
Erick Rowe, VP of Product Management
A forward-looking session on how AI-driven insights, intelligent agents, and modern platforms are shaping workforce efficiency, decision-making, and operational execution across the dealership.
Lunch and Expo
12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Evolve Experience Rooms Open All Afternoon
Explore. Learn. Ask.
1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Continue the conversation inside two dedicated Experience Rooms with hands-on demos, live support, and peer collaboration.
Genius Bar (Ask the Experts)
One-on-one guidance from support and product teams.
LMS Table
Enablement resources, registration, and quick demos.
Customer Corner
Peer discussions and informal knowledge sharing.
IntelliDealer Evolve Experience Room
Open 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Demo Stations
- InspectionPlus
- VitalEngage
- FileBound
- Real-Time Billing
- VE Sign
- BI and Analytics
- Insights Agent
- Tech Assist
- CRM
- Avalara
- Integrated Rental
e-Emphasys Evolve Experience Room
Open 1:00 PM–5:00 PM
Demo Stations
- AP Automation
- ePortal+
- eService
- Mobile and Dispatcher Apps
- eInspection+
- VitalEngage
- BI and Analytics
- eCRM Dynamics Online
- eWMS
- Worldpay
Dealer Workshops (Concurrent Sessions)
1:00 PM–3:10 PM
Dealer Workshops: IntelliDealer Virtual Customer Experience Workflows featuring BI
Explore how Virtual Customer Experience workflows and Business Intelligence work together to reduce friction, improve visibility, and support modern, customer-friendly dealership operations.
Dealer Workshops (Equipment Service): Operational Excellence with AI
Learn how applied AI supports service operations by reducing dwell time, improving decision-making, and streamlining day-to-day workflows.
Dealer Workshops: Data and Analytics Enablement
A practical workshop focused on turning dealership data into action through dashboards, role-based reporting, and analytics strategies that improve visibility and performance.
Dealer Workshops: Rental Operations in ERP Workflows
A dealership-centered look at rental operations, highlighting utilization strategies, operational best practices, and how technology supports scalable rental growth.
Dealer Workshops: e-Emphasys, Empowering Intelligent Operations
Explore how integrated data, applied AI, and process discipline support intelligent operations that reduce friction and accelerate performance.
Break
3:15 PM–3:30 PM
From Setup to Sales Impact: Simplifying CRM and CPQ for Dealership Sales Teams
3:30 PM–5:00 PM
Vinay Kumar Polamarasetty, Product Manager
Rohit Rane, CRM Solutions Manager
A practical look at how dealerships roll out Cloud CRM and CPQ using standardized templates and clear workflows to drive early adoption, measurable value, and confidence in the first 60 days.
Cocktail Reception
5:00 PM–6:00 PM
Unwind with drinks and conversation before the evening event.
Networking Dinner: Community Night
6:00 PM–9:00 PM
Enjoy a relaxed evening of food, drinks, and connection with the Evolve community.
Day 4: Wednesday, March 11 - Industry Insight & Recognition
Breakfast and Networking
8:00 AM–9:00 AM
Start the final day of Evolve by connecting with peers, partners, and the VitalEdge team over breakfast.
Dealer Excellence Awards: Celebrating Intelligent Growth
9:00 AM–9:45 AM
Vikram Savkar, Chief Executive Officer
Celebrate dealerships driving innovation, operational excellence, and Intelligent Growth through technology, leadership, and measurable results.
Industry Association Panel: Shaping the Future Together
9:45 AM–10:45 AM
Panelists to be announced
Industry association leaders share perspectives on technology, workforce trends, and collaboration shaping the future of the equipment industry.
Closing Session: Looking Ahead to What’s Next
10:45 AM–11:00 AM
Vikram Savkar, Chief Executive Officer
A brief closing session reflecting on key takeaways from Evolve 2026 and what lies ahead for the VitalEdge community.
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.
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.
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.