Highly influential figures from the world of automotive retail will address industry executives at the SMMT International Automotive Summit in the session Challenges of future retailing, part of the stream The changing face of retail, supported by GForces Web Management. Key for the franchised dealer network will be findings from a significant retail study, highlighting future opportunities in an expanding digital consumer age.
Kal Gyimesi, Global Lead, Automotive Research Papers, IBM, is set to reveal valuable insight from IBM’s Transform Retail Study that will be launched at the Summit. As social media becomes an ever more integral part of the consumer experience, the study will look at how the franchised dealer can be part of the conversation, connecting more closely with the consumer and building loyalty.
Discussing the challenges of network rebranding and how to position sophisticated and completely new products in a competitive UK market, Sales Director, Citroën UK, Charles Peugeot will share lessons from recent marketing experiences of bringing the DS range to the UK. For a dealer perspective to the session, Joe Doyle, CEO, H.R. Owen – the UK’s leading luxury dealer – will share some of the major changes he is overseeing in the Group’s use of technology to help create a better customer experience and increase sales.
Chairing this session is Martin Leach, Chairman of respected automotive consultancy firm, Magma Group. Martin is a globally recognised automotive leader who is respected worldwide as one of industry’s leading product developers and brand strategists.
Along with keynote speeches from Ian Robertson, BMW Board Member, Global Sales and Marketing, and Peter Tyroller, Board of Management, Robert Bosch GmbH, experienced heads from the world of automotive will be seated on the panels for streams two and three covering Innovation in ultra-low carbon technology, supported by EDF Energy and Growth in the supply chain, supported by KPMG LLP.
The demand for tickets at the Summit has been significant and all allocated tickets have now been sold. Anyone still wishing to attend should e-mail summit@smmt.co.uk to be added to the waiting list for tickets that may become available.
To discuss advertising, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, please contact 0808 178 8818 or summit@smmt.co.uk.The event will be held alongside the Canary Wharf Motorexpo, which runs from 11-17 June.
