Last year, Used Car Week celebrated the return of our in-person, live event after a year of going digital due to COVID-19. This year, we mark another return: We’re back in San Diego for the first time in almost a decade. 

The used-car industry — and Used Car Week — has changed a lot since our last trip to this lovely Southern California city in 2013.  And though the hallmarks of Used Car Week have remained constant (networking, making connections, industry education and uniting the used-car industry) we’ve got some new features for you to try this year.

• Used Car Week Golf Outing is back! For the first time in several years, UCW will host a golf event, which is sponsored by Proficient Auto Transport. The sold-out event is set for the morning of Nov. 16 at Torrey Pines Golf Club. 
   
• The exhibit hall will feature both stock-car racing (sponsored by Preowned Auto Logistics, booth 307) and golf simulators (sponsored by Cars.com, booth 110).  Whatever method of “driving” you prefer, visit those respecitve booths for some expo hall fun! 
   
• The Used Car Week Podcast Stage, where podcasters and other media will record episodes of their respective shows, makes it debut. The stage, which is sponsored by Ship Your Car Now, will be located in the Palm Foyer at the hotel, which is in the same space as the main hub of the conference floor. The stage will be visible from conference registration desk and attendees are welcome to watch the podcast recordings.
   
• Auto Remarketing has added a twist to our 40 Under 40 program. The program now features two separate awards: “Dealers Under 40,” which focuses exclusively on leaders from auto dealerships; as well as a “40 Under 40: Industry” for the overall industry, which will focus on the consignors, auctions, auto finance, vendors, tech companies, associations and other players within the used-car space. 

  The “Dealers Under 40” recognition luncheon, sponsored by Edmunds, is being held at noon (PT) on Nov. 14. The “40 Under 40: Industry” recognition luncheon, sponsored by IAA, is set for 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 17.
   

• As an extension of Auto Remarketing’s “Best CPO Dealers in the USA” issue earlier this year, we will be spotlighting the top-selling CPO dealers during a recognition breakfast, sponsored by CARS, that begins at 7:30 a.m. (PT) on Nov. 15.
   
• As part of a new awards program this year, the “Women in Collections & Recoveries” will be spotlighted in a panel discussion, sponsored by ARS, at 9:15 am (PT) on Nov. 16, and during the Used Car Week Leadership Luncheon, sponsored by CarGurus, later that day.
   
• Last but not least, the Ron Smith Lifetime Achievement Award returns for the first time since, well, our publisher emeritus Ron Smith won it in 2017. The 2022 winner of the award, which is sponsored by Chase, will be announced at 1 p.m. (PT) on Nov. 17.