Full Three-Day Experience
Three Days of Automotive Leadership in Detroit
Begin with CXAUTO2026, continue the conversation at the Automotive News Congress, and experience three days of customer experience, technology, retail innovation, and executive-level automotive insights.
September 28–30, 2026
The Department at Hudson's · Detroit, Michigan
One Destination · Three Days · One Industry Conversation
Day 1 · September 28, 2026
CXAUTO2026: The Customer Experience Leadership Summit
A focused day of executive conversations exploring the future of automotive customer experience, technology, loyalty, retention, and dealership performance.
- 7:00 – 8:00 AMBreakfastBreakfast
- 8:00 – 8:10 AMWelcome
Welcome from Thought Leadership Summits
Jon Munzel · Founder & President, Thought Leadership SummitsView session details - 8:10 – 8:15 AMWelcome
Welcome from the Chair
Ian Nethercott · Founder & Host, The Auto Hub ShowView session details - 8:15 – 9:00 AMOpening Keynote
The Future of the Customer Journey — How Technology Is Reshaping Automotive Retail, Loyalty, and Lifetime Value
Jack Hollis · Managing Partner, Accrual Equity Partners
Dan Shine · Senior Editor, Automotive News(Moderator)View session details - 9:00 – 9:30 AMFeatured Presentation
Session title coming soon
TBAReynolds and Reynolds · Speaker to be announcedView session details - 9:30 – 10:00 AMFireside Chat
Reinventing F&I — How Technology, Training, and Lender Partnerships Are Transforming the Customer Experience
Gary Schultz · Head of Strategic Alliances and Relationship Management, Wells Fargo Auto
Lindsay VanHulle · EV Reporter & Deputy Editor, Automotive News(Moderator)View session details - 10:00 – 10:30 AMNetworking BreakNetworking Break
- 10:30 – 11:00 AMFeatured Presentation
Empowering People with AI — How Better Employee Experiences Create Better Customer Experiences
Bill Camastro · Dealer Principal & Executive Vice President, Gold Coast CadillacView session details - 11:00 – 11:30 AMFeatured Presentation
The AI Advantage — How Generative AI Is Transforming Customer Engagement, Marketing Performance, and Dealer Growth
Mike Spadafore · Global Data Analytics Lead, Marketing, Ford Motor CompanyView session details - 11:30 – 12:00 PMPanel Discussion
Session title coming soon
Scott Traylor · Vice President of Sales, Mia Labs
Peter "webdoc" Martin · President, Cactus Sky DigitalView session details - 12:00 – 1:00 PMLunchLunch
- 1:00 – 1:30 PMJoint Presentation
The Connected Customer Journey — How Vehicle Data Is Reshaping Customer Experience and Retention
Amy Sgrignoli · Vice President, Connected Vehicle, Subaru of America
Jeff Williams · Vice President, Williams AutoWorldView session details - 1:30 – 2:15 PMJoint Presentation
Happy Employees, Loyal Customers, Profitable Dealerships — Why Fixed Operations Is the Foundation of Customer Retention
Steve Cerny · Manager, 20 Group Operations, NADA
Justin Hinderer · Owner, Hinderer Motor CompanyView session details - 2:15 – 2:45 PMFireside Chat
Session title coming soon
Philip Ly · Founder & CEO, LESA Automotive | CEO, ImagineAutos.com, LESA AutomotiveTBADealer Executive · Speaker to be announcedView session details - 2:45 – 3:15 PMNetworking BreakNetworking Break
- 3:15 – 3:45 PMFireside Chat
The Conversion Problem You Can't See
Jason Parsons · Account Manager, ChannelVantage, Urban ScienceLindsay VanHulle · EV Reporter & Deputy Editor, Automotive News(Moderator)View session details - 3:45 – 4:30 PMPanel Discussion
Who Owns the Customer? — How Digital Retailing Is Reshaping Automotive Retail, Loyalty, and Lifetime Value
John Fitzpatrick · Head of CarBravo Certified Used Vehicle Program, GM
Cristina Cheever · Chief Marketing Officer, duPont REGISTRY Group
Kristyn King · Senior Product Marketing Manager, Amazon AutosDan Shine · Senior Editor, Automotive News(Moderator)View session details - 4:30 – 5:00 PMFeatured Presentation
Session title coming soon
Anthony Jingoli · Senior Director of Automotive Strategy, Comcast AdvertisingView session details - 5:00 – 5:30 PMClosing Keynote
Every Conversation Matters: Turning Customer Insights into More Sales, Loyalty, and Lifetime Value
Chad Jernberg · Vice President, Customer Experience, Holman AutomotiveView session details - 5:30 – 7:00 PMReceptionNetworking Reception
- 5:30 – 7:00 PMAutomotive News Congress
Opening Welcome Reception
Continue the conversation as the broader Congress community arrives in Detroit.
Day 2 · September 29, 2026
Automotive News Congress — Day One
Continue the conversation with automotive executives, innovators, manufacturers, retailers, and industry leaders shaping what comes next.
- 8:00 – 9:00 AM ETRegistrationRegistration Opens | Networking Coffee | PACE Exhibits
- 9:00 – 9:05 AM ETWelcomeWelcome Address
- 9:05 – 9:30 AM ETFireside Chat
Fireside Chat with Mark Reuss
SpeakersMark ReussPresident · General MotorsKC CrainPublisher · Automotive News - 9:30 – 10:05 AM ETPanel
Panel: Refining The Customer Journey: Who Owns the Relationship in the Age of AI
SpeakersSean GilpinVP, Global Sales Marketing, Hyundai Motor Company · CMO · Hyundai Motor AmericaDaryl KenninghamCEO · Group 1 AutomotiveKaren Lellouche TordjmanManaging Director & Senior Partner, Mexico City · Boston Consulting GroupJoe ShakerCEO & Co-Founder · TruVideoDan ShineSenior Editor · Automotive News - 10:05 – 10:40 AM ETPanel
Panel: Trade Wars and Global Shifts: China's Growing Influence on the Global Auto Industry
SpeakersMichael DunneCEO · Dunne InsightsSteve GreenfieldGeneral Partner · Automotive VenturesHenner LehneVice President, Forecasting & Research · Mobility GlobalLei XingAnalyst and Co-Host · China EVs & MoreJerry HirschManaging Editor — Content · Automotive News - 10:40 – 11:10 AM ETNetworking BreakNetworking Break
- 11:10 – 11:45 AM ETPanel
Panel: Affordability at a Breaking Point: The Economics of the Next Vehicle
SpeakersClaudia MárquezCOO · Hyundai Motor AmericaPonz PandikuthiraSenior Vice President, Chief Product & Planning Officer · Nissan AmericasJeremy RobbChief Economist · Cox AutomotiveMatt WeissVP, Analytics & Pricing Solutions · Mobility GlobalLindsay VanHulleEV Reporter & Deputy Editor · Automotive News - 11:45 AM – 12:05 PM ETSponsorSponsor Fireside Chat
- 12:05 – 12:30 PM ETFireside Chat
Fireside Chat with Swamy Kotagiri
SpeakersSwamy KotagiriCEO · Magna InternationalChrissy TaylorSVP, Editorial · Automotive News - 12:30 – 2:00 PM ETLunchNetworking Lunch
- 2:00 – 2:25 PM ETFireside Chat
Fireside Chat with Jim Farley
SpeakersJim FarleyPresident and Chief Executive Officer · Ford Motor CompanyKC CrainPublisher · Automotive News - 2:25 – 3:00 PM ETSponsored PanelSponsored Panel
- 3:00 – 3:20 PM ETNetworking BreakNetworking Break
- 3:20 – 3:55 PM ETPanel
Panel: Building the Next Playbook: How Policy, Elections, and the Economy Will Shape the U.S. Auto Industry
SpeakersJohn BozzellaPresident & CEO · Alliance for Automotive InnovationPat D'EramoChief Executive Officer · Martinrea InternationalKate KalutkiewiczSenior Managing Director · McLarty AssociatesMike MurphyFounder · American EV Jobs AllianceMolly BoigonTransportation and Mobility Reporter · Automotive News - 3:55 – 4:20 PM ETFireside Chat
Fireside Chat with José Muñoz
SpeakersJosé MuñozPresident and Chief Executive Officer · Hyundai Motor CompanyKC CrainPublisher · Automotive News - 4:20 – 4:25 PM ETClosingClosing Remarks
Day 3 · September 30, 2026
Automotive News Congress — Day Two
Explore the technology, policy, leadership, and operating strategies transforming the global automotive industry.
- 8:00 – 9:00 AM ETRegistrationRegistration Opens | Networking Coffee | PACE Exhibits
- 9:00 – 9:05 AM ETWelcomeWelcome Address
- 9:05 – 9:30 AM ETFireside Chat
Fireside Chat with Antonio Filosa
SpeakersAntonio FilosaChief Executive Officer and Executive Director · StellantisKC CrainPublisher · Automotive News - 9:30 – 10:05 AM ETPanel
Panel: Software Defined Vehicles, AI and Autonomy: Delivering Real World Impact at Scale
SpeakersJeffrey ChouCo-founder and CEO · SonatusGary Cygan JrDirector, Vehicle Software and Electronics Engineering · GMSteffen FuchsSenior Partner · McKinsey & CompanyAndrei IordacheGlobal Senior Director of Automotive Pre-Sales · HERE TechnologiesMolly BoigonTransportation and Mobility Reporter · Automotive News - 10:05 – 10:40 AM ETPanel
Panel: The Automated Factory: AI, Robotics, and the Future of Automotive Work
SpeakersJeet BrahmandamManaging Director & Partner · Boston Consulting GroupSusann KazunasGroup Vice President, Executive Engineering Officer · Toyota Motor North AmericaBarry PhillipsChief Commercial Officer · ApptronikHannah LutzAssistant Managing Editor — Content · Automotive News - 10:40 – 11:25 AM ETPanel
Panel: The View from the Top: OEM Leadership on What Comes Next
SpeakersDuncan AldredPresident, North America · General MotorsJason HoffCEO · Mercedes-Benz North AmericaRandy ParkerPresident and CEO · Hyundai Motor North America - 11:25 – 11:30 AM ETClosingClosing Remarks
- Invitation-Only · 12:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Assembly Ventures Summit (invite-only)
The Assembly Ventures Summit will take place at the Gem Theatre. Additional information will be provided when your invitation request is accepted.
Ready to Join Us in Detroit?
Register for CXAUTO2026 and Explore the Full Three-Day Experience
Join automotive leaders in Detroit for CXAUTO2026 and connect your visit to the broader conversations taking place during Automotive News Congress Week.