eSTART Coalition to Convene Stakeholders at 2026 Modernization Forum

Two-day Nashville event will focus on advancing title and registration modernization

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Electronic Secure Title and Registration Transformation (eSTART) Coalition will convene government agencies, automotive organizations, technology providers, trade associations, and other industry stakeholders at the 2026 eSTART Modernization Forum (eMF), taking place Oct. 20–21 at The Westin Nashville in Nashville, Tenn.

Now in its second year, the eSTART Modernization Forum provides a dedicated forum for the public and private sectors to collaborate on modernizing the paper-dependent processes that continue to shape vehicle title and registration transactions. This year’s event is co-located with the Electronic Signature & Records Association (ESRA), creating additional opportunities for collaboration around electronic signatures, digital records, identity authentication, and other technologies supporting the transition to digital transactions.

“Modernizing title and registration requires collaboration across the entire ecosystem,” said Tony Hall, Chair of the eSTART Advisory Board and Head of Policy, DMV and Industry Affairs at Carvana. “The eSTART Modernization Forum gives state leaders and industry experts an opportunity to share what’s working, learn from one another, and tackle the challenges that still stand in the way of progress. Bringing the eSTART and ESRA communities together this year expands that conversation and helps us continue working toward processes that are more efficient, secure, and seamless, especially for consumers.”

The two-day program will feature discussions on some of the most pressing issues facing title and registration modernization today, including the realities of DMV modernization and electronic titling, how titles move through dealer operations and salvage and wholesale auctions, and emerging issues identified by government and industry stakeholders. The program will also include discussion of opportunities to modernize the federal ESIGN Act, an effort being spearheaded by ESRA.

Featured eSTART programming includes:

• Navigating the Digital Shift: DMV Modernization & E-Titling Realities — Tony Hall of Carvana and Philippe Guiot of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) will discuss approaches to DMV modernization and the transition to electronic titles.
• Dealer Transactions: How Titles Move Through Dealer Operations — Todd Phillips of the South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association will moderate a session on the title processes involved in dealer transactions.
• Auctions: How Titles Move Through Salvage and Wholesale Operations — Kevin Park of IAA and Dustin Cruz of OPENLANE will examine how titles move through salvage and wholesale vehicle transactions.
• Community Hot Topics — Beth Caro of the National Independent Vehicle Title Agents (NIVTA) will moderate a panel discussion with industry leaders on timely issues affecting the title and registration community.
• Is It Time to Modernize the ESIGN Act? — Participants will discuss whether the ESIGN Act is ripe for reform or still serves its purpose.

eMF attendees will also have access to ESRA programming throughout the event, with sessions addressing digital document authentication, electronic signature laws, fraud and identity in the age of AI, and the future of digital authentication. The program will begin with a joint session highlighting the goals and accomplishments of eSTART and ESRA and conclude with discussions about priorities for 2027.

“We are thrilled to bring the ESRA Annual Conference to Nashville this October and even more excited to co-host it with the eSTART Coalition,” said Derek Leffert, Executive Director of ESRA. “This year’s program is packed with engaging panel discussions, valuable networking, and plenty of opportunities to experience Music City. Whether you’re shaping policy, building technology, or navigating compliance, this is the place to connect with the people driving electronic signatures and records forward.”

Beyond the educational programming, the forum will provide opportunities for attendees to connect with state officials, industry leaders, and technology experts from across the country, exchange lessons from modernization efforts, and build relationships that can support continued progress.

Registration is open to anyone and not limited to eSTART or ESRA members. Early Bird registration is $249, and registration is complimentary for state government employees. For registration, the full agenda, and additional event information, visit estartcoalition.org/emf.

About eSTART Coalition

The Electronic Secure Title and Registration Transformation (eSTART) Coalition is a united group of leading automotive organizations committed to modernizing and streamlining automotive title and registration processes. eSTART focuses on advocating for the implementation of efficient technology solutions to replace the paper-dependent systems currently used by DMVs. Through collective advocacy and action at the local and national levels, the coalition aims to drive significant improvement in automotive industry processes in ways that benefit all customers, DMVs, and industry participants.

For more information, please visit www.estartcoalition.org.

About ESRA

The Electronic Signature and Records Association (ESRA) is the national trade association for organizations that create, manage, and rely on electronic signatures and electronic records. ESRA brings together solution providers, financial institutions, government agencies, legal professionals, and industry stakeholders to advance the legal certainty, security, and adoption of digital transactions. Through education, advocacy, and industry collaboration, ESRA promotes best practices under the ESIGN Act and UETA and works with policymakers to keep the legal framework current as technology evolves. Learn more at www.esignrecords.org.