Reynolds and Reynolds has shared details for an industry keynote panel and five dealership innovation finalists to the program for Amplify 2026, taking place Aug. 10-11 in Carlsbad, Calif.
The afternoon keynote will bring together automotive investors and dealership leaders to discuss the challenges reshaping retail and the strategies stores are using to respond.
Speakers include Steve Greenfield, General Partner at Automotive Ventures; Jeff Swickard, Dealer Principal of Swickard Auto Group; Howard Tenenbaum, President of Keyes Automotive Group; and John Keohane, Vice-President of Temecula Valley Buick GMC.
Reynolds said the panel will focus on practical approaches dealerships are using to adapt, improve operations and prepare for changes in technology and consumer expectations.
A separate morning keynote will outline Reynolds’ product and innovation roadmap, including its plans for artificial intelligence in fixed and variable operations.
The event will also feature the finals of the 2026 Automotive Amplifiers Contest, which recognizes dealership employees who have introduced new processes or operating practices with measurable results.
Chris Lasko of BMW of Pittsburgh developed a fully remote finance department designed to reduce staffing gaps, widen the available talent pool and shorten customer wait times.
Ken McCord of Art Moehn Auto Group created a process to complete additional maintenance and repair work identified during express inspections on the same visit. Reynolds said the approach increased BG maintenance sales by 247 per cent.
Daniel Wentz of Safford Mazda of Fredericksburg introduced a monthly competition rewarding technicians for improving their own efficiency. According to Reynolds, the initiative contributed to record production and the dealership’s strongest customer satisfaction scores.
Denisse Abreu of Infiniti of Lynbrook developed a BDC accountability framework addressing lead ownership, response times, CRM data quality and daily follow-up.
David Glennie of the Ted Britt Ford Pro Elite Commercial Service Center introduced a triage and dispatch process designed to provide a diagnosis in less than 24 hours and improve shop throughput.
Each finalist will present their approach during Amplify. The winner will receive a trophy and a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
Amplify 2026 will be held at the Park Hyatt Aviara and is free to attend. Reynolds said hundreds of dealers have already registered.
