Top 6 Events for F&I Agents and TPAs to Connect with Car Dealers

August 6, 2025

Staying connected with automotive dealers is crucial for Finance & Insurance (F&I) agents and Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) who want to grow their business. The right industry events can offer unparalleled networking opportunities, exposure to dealer clients, and insights into the latest dealership trends. Below is a listicle of the top U.S.-based events – in-person, virtual, and hybrid – that F&I agents and TPA administrators should consider attending to connect with car dealers. Each event is chosen for its relevance, dealer attendance, networking potential, and industry reputation. Mark your calendars and get ready to forge valuable relationships at these conferences!

1. Agent Summit (In-Person – Las Vegas, NV)

Location/Date: Las Vegas (Cosmopolitan); Annual – e.g., April 13–15, 2026

Overview: Agent Summit is the premier event designed specifically for F&I agents. Launched in 2011 by Agent Entrepreneur and F&I and Showroom magazines, it’s the industry’s only event built “by and for” independent general agents who drive dealership F&I success. Attendees gain targeted education and training on agency operations – from F&I product training and development to dealer recruiting, agency building, and reinsurance. The summit’s in-person format offers valuable networking with peers, product providers, and even dealers, helping agents sharpen their skills and form partnerships. Why attend? F&I agents and TPAs will find this conference invaluable for staying current on F&I trends and connecting with dealership professionals in a focused setting. The event’s reputation and advisor-built agenda ensure high-quality content, and many participants testify that Agent Summit provides “new and exciting ideas” and a “great forum” to learn from each other. If you’re an F&I agent or administrator aiming to grow your dealer client base, Agent Summit is a must – it’s designed by agents, for agents, to advance your success in dealership F&I.

2. NIADA Convention & Expo (In-Person – National Independent Auto Dealers)

Location/Date: Varies (e.g., Las Vegas 2025; Denver 2026 – June annually)

Overview: The NIADA Convention & Expo is the flagship event of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association – “the one to be at if you’re an independent car dealer”. It’s the largest U.S. event for the used-vehicle industry, typically drawing hundreds of dealers and over a thousand attendees each year. This in-person convention spans several days and offers 50+ hours of education across tracks like retail, marketing, compliance, BHPH (Buy Here Pay Here), and more. Dealers and industry partners gather for countless networking opportunities, from dealer roundtables to an expansive expo floor. The Expo – the largest in the used-car space – lets F&I agents, TPAs, and other vendors connect with hundreds of dealers seeking business solutions. Educational sessions cover everything from automotive marketing and dealership finances to emerging areas like EVs, helping independent dealers stay competitive. Why attend? For F&I agents and warranty administrators, NIADA’s Convention is a prime place to meet independent dealership owners and decision-makers in one venue. Its industry reputation is stellar – NIADA has represented independent dealers since 1946 – and the event highlights the latest strategies to boost dealer profitability and F&I performance. Plus, NIADA’s national event is complemented by various state independent dealer association conferences (e.g., TIADA in Texas, GIADA in Georgia), which offer additional regional networking. If connecting with used-car dealers is your goal, NIADA Convention & Expo is an essential stop.

3. NADA Show (In-Person/Hybrid – National Auto Dealers Association)

Location/Date: Rotates major cities (e.g., New Orleans, Jan 23–26, 2025; Las Vegas, Feb 3–6, 2026)

Overview: The NADA Show is the premier automotive dealer conference and expo for the franchise (new-car) dealer world – and it truly lives up to its reputation as the industry’s largest gathering. Spanning four days, NADA Show is “the world’s largest automotive retail conference and expo,” drawing thousands of dealers, managers, OEM executives, and industry vendors from across the globe. Attendees enjoy an outstanding education program (100+ workshops and sessions covering every dealership department) and an impressive expo hall with 500+ exhibitors showcasing the latest products, F&I solutions, and technology. There are franchise-specific dealer meetings, keynote speeches by industry leaders, and endless networking mixers. In recent years NADA has also embraced a hybrid element – for example, offering virtual access to certain sessions or on-demand content for those who can’t attend in person. Why attend? For F&I agents and TPAs, the NADA Show is unparalleled for connecting with a broad spectrum of auto dealers (including many high-volume franchise dealers). The expo floor alone – over 700,000 sq. ft. in size – is a huge draw, creating a space to explore industry trends and forge partnerships. Beyond product demos, it’s an outstanding networking opportunity, where you can meet dealer principals, general managers, F&I directors, and other decision-makers from dealerships worldwide. NADA’s prominence means nearly every major dealership group and vendor is represented, making it a perfect venue to expand your network. If you want to connect with car dealers at scale and stay on top of emerging auto retail trends, NADA Show is a must-attend event.

4. Industry Summit (In-Person – Hybrid Audience Event)

Location/Date: Varies (Annual – Dates TBA for 2025)

Overview: Industry Summit is a unique conference that blends the F&I agent world with auto dealers and product providers in one forum. In 2024, Industry Summit merged two initiatives – Agent Entrepreneur eXchange (AE) and Auto Dealer eXchange – under one roof. The result is an event “designed to meet the needs of agents, dealers, providers and administrators”, providing a one-stop venue to maximize profits and partnership opportunities in a changing market. Unlike large expos, Industry Summit has a curated format: the agenda is built around fostering mutually beneficial connections through one-on-one buyer/seller meetings, focus groups, interactive workshops, and high-impact networking events. In fact, agents and dealers must apply to attend, ensuring the attendee list is highly engaged and relevant. For F&I agents and TPAs, this means access to pre-scheduled meetings with dealership representatives and other industry players in an intimate setting. Why attend? Industry Summit is all about quality networking and actionable insight. It’s an ideal event if you want more face time with dealers or F&I product decision-makers than you might get roaming a huge expo floor. Because it is built by an advisory board of top agents and F&I executives, the content is laser-focused on current challenges and opportunities – think reinsurance strategies, F&I product development, compliance, and dealer-agent collaboration. Attendees leave with tangible takeaways, new business relationships, and “memorable moments” that can impact their success for years. In summary, Industry Summit offers a powerful, network-driven experience for agents and TPAs looking to deepen connections with dealers and fellow industry professionals in a more personalized environment.

5. Digital Dealer Conference & Expo (In-Person – Multiple Annually)

Location/Date: Twice yearly (typically Spring in Florida, Fall in Las Vegas; e.g., Oct 8–10, 2024 in Las Vegas)

Overview: Digital Dealer Conference & Expo is a top event focused on dealership innovation – specifically digital marketing, sales strategies, and tech solutions for auto retail. Each Digital Dealer event (there are usually two per year) is a 2-3 day in-person conference that “brings together automotive dealers, OEMs, thought leaders, and solution providers to power business growth and connections.”. The agenda features 75+ sessions and workshops on cutting-edge topics – from SEO, social media, and online sales processes to dealership CRM, analytics, and F&I technology. For instance, #DDCE2024 (Digital Dealer 2024) in Las Vegas offered over 75 actionable sessions and an expo hall with 120+ auto retail solutions, plus special programs like speed networking for dealers and vendors. Networking is a big focus: beyond learning, there are meetups, cocktail receptions, and even structured networking programs to ensure dealers and industry partners connect. Why attend? Digital Dealer is a prime opportunity for F&I agents and TPAs to meet dealers who are forward-thinking and open to new solutions. Many dealership attendees are looking for ways to improve profitability – including F&I performance – through technology and partnerships. As an agent or administrator, you can showcase your digital-friendly F&I products or services and demonstrate thought leadership in workshops. The conference is also a great way to stay ahead of digital trends impacting dealerships (like e-contracting, online F&I presentations, etc.). And while it’s primarily in-person, Digital Dealer extends its reach with an online presence (articles, webinars, etc.), keeping the community engaged year-round. In short, Digital Dealer Conference & Expo offers both learning and dealer networking, in an environment that’s all about innovating the dealership of tomorrow. If your goal is to connect with tech-savvy dealers and stay visible in the dealership community, this event is a perfect platform.

6. Fixed Ops Roundtable (Hybrid – Virtual Conference Series)

Location/Date: Online (Year-Round Series; occasional in-person segments)

Overview: Not all impactful dealer networking happens in person – the Fixed Ops Roundtable is a shining example of a virtual/hybrid event series that has gained a strong following among auto dealers. Held multiple times throughout the year (via live streaming platforms), Fixed Ops Roundtable is “dedicated to service and parts management,” focusing on fixed operations, profitability, and leadership strategies in the dealership after-sales arena. While its content is geared to service managers and fixed-ops directors, the series attracts a broad dealership audience – including dealer principals and general managers – because fixed ops is a critical profit center. Each session typically features expert panels, dealer interviews, and vendor showcases, all accessible to attendees nationwide without travel. Recently, the organizers have introduced hybrid elements, with select in-person viewing parties or networking meetups in various locations to complement the online broadcasts. Why attend? For F&I agents and TPAs, Fixed Ops Roundtable offers a convenient way to connect with dealers virtually and stay visible in the industry conversation. Since many dealership executives attend these virtual conferences (and participate via live Q&A or chat), it’s an opportunity to network from your home office and demonstrate thought leadership (for example, some F&I providers appear as panelists to discuss how F&I products tie into customer retention in service). The hybrid model means you can sponsor or join virtual expo booths and also drop into any physical mixer events they host. Bottom line: the Fixed Ops Roundtable shows that connecting with car dealers isn’t limited to physical trade shows. By participating in this well-regarded virtual series, F&I agents and administrators can build relationships with dealers across the country, showcase expertise in improving dealership profitability, and do so with minimal expense or travel. It’s a modern, hybrid networking avenue that complements the big in-person conferences.

Conclusion: Whether it’s a niche F&I agent gathering or a massive dealer expo, each of these events offers unique value to F&I agents and TPAs aiming to connect with automotive dealers. By attending the conferences above, you’ll gain face-to-face (or screen-to-screen) access to dealership decision-makers, insight into dealer challenges, and opportunities to demonstrate how your products or expertise can help dealers succeed. In an industry built on relationships, making time for these “F&I agent events” and “automotive conferences” is a smart investment. From Las Vegas ballrooms to virtual roundtables, the networking and knowledge you’ll acquire can directly translate into new dealer clients and stronger partnerships. Plan ahead, secure your passes, and get ready to shake hands (physically or virtually) – these top events are your ticket to deeper connections in the car dealer community.