Connected Car Plus

• DatesOctober 9–10, 2026
• VenueRAI Amsterdam
• LocationAmsterdam, Netherlands
• CategoryAutomotive

About Connected Car Plus

Connected Car Plus is an automotive industry event taking place October 9–10, 2026 at RAI Amsterdam in Amsterdam, Netherlands. It runs for two days, opening on Friday and closing on Saturday. The show is on now and runs until October 10, 2026.

Shows like this one typically draw OEM and tier suppliers, dealers, fleet managers, aftermarket buyers, engineers and service professionals. We have not been able to confirm an official website for this show yet, so contact the organizer before making any plans.

ShowFloorTips is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the organizer. Dates, venues and rules can change, so confirm the details with the organizer before you book.

What to expect at Connected Car Plus

Automotive shows range from engineering-focused supplier events to aftermarket and dealer expos. Expect product-heavy displays, technical buyers and strong interest in new technology, electrification and service.

Two days go by quickly. Book your most important meetings for the first morning, when visitors are fresh, and keep the second afternoon for follow-up conversations at the booth. Expect most visitors to be OEM and tier suppliers and their colleagues, often with a short list of suppliers they want to see.

How exhibitors should prepare for Connected Car Plus

Here is a working timeline counted back from the opening day, October 9, 2026:

1. 16 weeks before (Jun 19, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Confirm your booth space and read the exhibitor manual. Book hotels near RAI Amsterdam while rates are still normal.
2. 8 weeks before (Aug 14, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Order booth services (power, internet, furniture, cleaning) before the early-rate deadlines, and send graphics to print.
3. 4 weeks before (Sep 11, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Ship freight to the advance warehouse if the organizer offers one. Book meetings with the visitors you most want to see. Set up lead capture and train the team on it.
4. One week before (Oct 2, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Confirm freight arrived, share the staffing schedule, charge every device, and test your lead capture app with Wi-Fi turned off.

Preparation tips for automotive shows

• Know whether the audience is OEM, aftermarket, dealer or consumer, and adjust your message for it.
• Arrange vehicle or large-part display logistics early, including fuel and battery rules for indoor halls.
• Bring part numbers, compatibility lists and distributor details for aftermarket buyers.

Booth tips for Connected Car Plus

• Put the product in visitors' hands or let them see it working; automotive buyers judge quality physically.
• Ask about volumes and current suppliers to size the opportunity quickly.
• Keep a technical expert available for engineering questions during peak hours.
• Walk the hall at RAI Amsterdam during move-in to see which entrances and aisles carry the most traffic, and set up your booth so it faces that flow.
• Give every person on the booth a clear role (greeting, demos, qualifying) so nobody waits for someone else to start a conversation.
• If you expect local buyers in Netherlands, bring key material in the local language as well as English, and have prices ready in the local currency.
• Capture every conversation the moment it ends: scan the badge or card, add a one-line note about what the visitor needs, and rate the lead hot, warm or cold. Notes written that evening are already half forgotten.

For a full list of what to bring, use the free booth checklist, and plan the money side with the trade show ROI calculator.

Following up leads after Connected Car Plus

Most of the value of a trade show is created after it closes. Supplier decisions go through testing and approval steps, so offer samples or a trial as the next step.

1. Within 24 hours (by Oct 11, 2026)
   Send a short personal email to every hot lead. Mention one detail from your conversation so they remember you.
2. By Oct 13, 2026
   Send everything you promised at the booth: prices, samples, demo links. Log each lead in your CRM with its rating and notes.
3. By Oct 24, 2026
   Make a second, useful touch: a case study, a short video or an answer to the question they asked. Warm leads often reply to this one.
4. By Nov 9, 2026
   Review results: how many leads became meetings, what each lead cost, and whether Connected Car Plus is worth returning to.

Ready-to-edit messages for each step are in our trade show follow-up email templates.

Getting to Amsterdam

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) has direct trains to Amsterdam RAI station, a short walk from RAI Amsterdam, in about 10 minutes. Public transport covers the city well. The Netherlands is in the Schengen area; check whether you need a Schengen visa.

Hotels closest to the venue sell out first during show week, and many organizers offer discounted room blocks that close weeks before the show, so book early. Our city travel guides cover hotels, transport and budgeting for the busiest show cities.

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