SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. -

This year, hundreds of independent dealers who previously attended Innovate: The Independent Dealer Conference will instead set their sights on DealerSocket’s User Summit. The seventh annual conference will host dealers from both the franchised and independent space with more than 1,100 guests expected.

This is the first year that User Summit attendees will be able to choose an independent track (from more than 70 total classes) that highlights today’s most pressing compliance issues, industry insights and best practices from other dealers, as well as new independent technology.

Breakout sessions will cover the latest developments in compliance; digital marketing; customer experience; DMS, CRM and inventory management technology; business management; sales and marketing; and more. There is even a track covering the sales, service, F&I and collections concerns of buy-here-pay-here dealers.

“We are thrilled to expand our annual User Summit to welcome former Innovate attendees into the fold. Last year, we introduced a small selection of independent classes, but starting this year, we are officially merging with Innovate and multiplying our schedule to include a Texas-sized offering for independent attendees,” said Peter Ord, national sales director, independent at DealerSocket.

“Whether you are a member of the DealerSocket family or just interested in educating yourself on the issues facing your business, User Summit will prepare you for the future of independent,” Ord continued.

Among what's in store, DealerSocket will officially launch Blackbird at this year’s event, complete with on-site demos. Blackbird includes the company’s brand-new CRM, as well as the long-awaited iDMS.

DealerSocket will also release its second annual Independent Dealership Action Report, a comprehensive, data-packed guide on the state of today’s independent industry and how dealers can thrive amid its challenges.

User Summit 2016 will take place Oct. 3-5 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. For more information or to register, visit http://usersummit.dealersocket.com/ind.