ATLANTA -

AutoTrader.com recently revealed it is launching Interactive Dealer Summits this year, a new series designed specifically to support dealers.

Called “Behind the Internet Curtain: Technology that Drives Dealer Success,” the events are designed to help dealers learn about key factors that can lead to online marketing success, exchange best-in-class processes, as well as strategies.

The first event is set for today near San Francisco, Calif. at the Hilton Pleasanton at The Club.

"At AutoTrader.com, we are committed to working closely with our dealer customers to ensure that they have the most recent and relevant information about effective online advertising. The Interactive Dealer Summits offer one more avenue to help us achieve that goal," explained Allyson Estes, director of industry relations and dealer learning at AutoTrader.com.

"These summits are an extension of our already-robust dealer educational programs, which we provide at no additional cost to our dealer customers,” he added.

Specifically designed for dealer principals and owners, general sales managers and Internet managers, these half-day events will offer a forum for AutoTrader.com’s dealer customers to gather, network and gain valuable insights to help dealers succeed.

The educational events will feature general sessions and workshops to help ensure that attendees will walk away with plenty of new insights, as well as actionable strategies to implement at their dealerships.

The first summit held today is kicking off with AutoTrader.com’s director of industry education, Howard Polirer, discussing the fundamental shift in the way consumers shop for cars and how those changes affect the way automotive marketers should approach advertising online.

Then, John Griffin, vice president of performance management at vAuto, will provide information on how dealers can influence shoppers and drive conversion. Bill Pearson, co-owner of Velde Lincoln Volvo, will wrap up the general sessions with a discussion on how transparency in the trade-in process can enable dealers to acquire high-quality used inventory based on his own success.

Following the general sessions, there will be two interactive workshops where attendees will hear from AutoTrader.com national dealer educators. The first workshop will focus on how dealers can develop and improve communications with car shoppers, and the final workshop will cover how smart, consistent merchandising works online and offline.

Dates for more local Interactive Dealer Summits will be announced throughout the year.