This year’s ACE Conference & Expo is set to be the biggest yet

As the 2026 Automotive Conference and Expo (ACE) edges ever closer, anticipation continues to build. When planning this year’s conference (taking place in Niagara Falls, October 15-16), the focus was very much on helping dealers and industry professionals navigate a period of rapid transformation and economic uncertainty. Across automotive retail, businesses are balancing evolving consumer expectations, affordability pressures, changing vehicle technologies and the increasing influence of digital retailing and AI tools.

Major themes

With that in mind, we set to create several major themes for our 2026 content program at ACE. These include:

• AI and automation in sales, marketing, and operations
• Fixed operations profitability and retention strategies
• Leadership, succession planning, and talent development
• EV adoption and infrastructure readiness
• Data, cybersecurity, and digital retail integration
• new market entrants how to face a changing market

Our goal  has always been to provide practical, actionable insights that dealers can take back to their businesses immediately, while at the same time, creating space for broader conversations about where the industry is headed over the next five to ten years.

In selecting speakers for the event, the goal is always to bring together respected industry leaders, innovators and subject matter experts who understand both the Canadian marketplace and the realities dealers are facing today. Our 2026 lineup is designed to provide a strong balance of strategic insight and operational expertise with forward looking perspectives.

“Our goal  has always been to provide practical, actionable insights that dealers can take back to their businesses immediately.”

– Todd Bourgon, CEO and Executive Director, MVRO

Challenging conventional thinking

We’ll also be continuing our tradition of featuring speakers who challenge conventional thinking and inspire attendees to look at their businesses different, whether it’s through innovation, leadership or operational excellence.

Networking continues to be one of the strongest aspects of the conference. ACE brings together dealers, OEM representatives, suppliers, and industry leaders from across Canada in an environment that encourages meaningful dialogue and collaboration.

Many attendees also value the balance between high-level strategic discussions and practical takeaways they can implement immediately in their operations. Over the years, that combination of education, networking, and industry connection has become a defining part of the ACE experience.

Solutions-focused

Our on-site workshops have also been consistently popular, and for 2026 have been designed to be both highly interactive and solutions-focused. We recognize that today’s attendees are looking for sessions that go beyond theory and provide tangible strategies they can apply within their dealerships and organizations.

Workshop topics are expected to include:

• AI applications in automotive retail -the AI “Hackathon” is back!
• Leadership and team development
• Fixed operations optimization
• Digital marketing and customer retention
• Emerging technologies impacting dealership operations

Continually evolving

In summarizing, ACE has endured over the years because it has continually evolved alongside the industry while remaining true to its core purpose—bringing people together to share ideas build relationships and move the automotive sector forward. The trade show floor is already sold out and we are expecting 2026 to be our biggest year yet. For more information visit https://automotiveconferenceandexpo.ca

Todd Bourgon is CEO and Executive Director of the Motor Vehicle Retailers Association, an association representing more than 1,000 new car dealers in Ontario. You can reach him at [email protected]