AUTOVATE, the premier conference for the automotive retail industry, is thrilled to announce entrepreneur, film producer, tech investor, and sports team owner Peter Guber as the featured speaker for its 2024 event. The 8th annual AUTOVATE conference will take place on December 4-5 at the new Caesars Republic Scottsdale Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. Organized by Cliff Banks of The Banks Report, the conference will host nearly 30 experts discussing the intersection of investment, innovation, and automotive retail.
“We’ve spent the last eight years creating an event known for its cutting-edge content, exceptional venues, and valuable networking opportunities that have led to nearly $2 billion in transactions,” said Cliff Banks, president of The Banks Report and founder of AUTOVATE. “We are excited to have Peter Guber join this year’s lineup. His vast experience in both Hollywood and sports will offer valuable insights for dealers, investors, and entrepreneurs alike.”
Peter Guber is a prominent figure in entertainment, with over 40 years of experience in film, television, music, and sports. He began his career at Columbia Pictures in 1968, where he played a key role in shaping iconic films such as Taxi Driver and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Guber co-founded Casablanca Record and Filmworks, produced the Oscar-winning Midnight Express, and helped lead Sony Pictures Entertainment during a golden era, with major hits like Rain Man and Batman. He later founded Mandalay Entertainment and co-owns several sports teams, including the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, and MLS’s Los Angeles Football Club. He has also made significant strides in esports through his investment in aXiomatic.
“I’m excited to speak at AUTOVATE,” Guber said. “It’s a unique platform where innovation and investment intersect with the future of automotive retail. I look forward to sharing my experiences in entertainment, sports, and business, and offering insights on how to navigate change and capitalize on opportunities, whether for customers, investors, or employees.”
AUTOVATE 2024 promises a first-class experience for executives and investors in automotive retail. The conference format features 15-to-20-minute TED Talk-style presentations and interactive Q&A sessions with attendees. This year’s speakers include Gary Gilchrist, 2024 NADA chairman, and Eric Denlinger, managing director at TD Cowen. Topics will cover the impact of the election on automotive investment, future opportunities for dealers, and insights into some of the industry’s most significant deals.
“AUTOVATE has probably been the best conference I’ve ever attended,” said Chris Walsh, president of Reynolds and Reynolds and a past speaker. “I’ve learned more in the last two hours than I have in the last two years.”
The conference will take place at the new Caesars Republic Scottsdale Hotel, a lifestyle hotel and Caesars Entertainment’s first non-gaming property. AUTOVATE is sponsored by DAS Technology, Reynolds and Reynolds, TD Cowen, Cars.com, FM Capital, Disruptive Growth Solutions, TruVideo, Cars Commerce, UpdatePromise, 1876 Partners, Cadwalader, and Impel.
With limited space for only 150 attendees, the event is nearly sold out. To register or learn more, visit autovate.org.
