Stemming from some of the feedback organizers shared, the National Alliance of Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealers completed its mission during the 19th annual National BHPH Conference last month in Las Vegas.

John Baughman of Lake Erie Auto Credit said, “I wanted to come away with at least one idea that would help our business. I got that times 10.”

Operators and experts from around the country as well as from international locations gathered to hear more than 65 speakers and panelists discuss “changes in the subprime auto finance market.”

The educational sessions featured 12 different workshops covering:

—Current industry developments
—Accounting/tax update
—Managing reconditioning costs
—Reducing losses and keeping customers paying
—Maximizing tax refunds
—Using the web and social media to gain market share
—Payment devices
—Integrated technology solutions
—DMS technology
—Capital
—Inventory acquisition and financing.

All these sessions were interactive, so attendees could ask questions and get answers to all these important topics.

“Attendees indicated that the information covered in the workshops was invaluable,” conference chairman Ken Shilson said. “Networking between attendees and experts and their desire to seek out new products and services made the exhibitor sessions exceptional this year.”

Danny Strickland of Young’s Auto Center emphasized Shilson’s point, adding, “Great sessions. Great to meet and learn from another dealer, having questions answered.”

JE Everett of the Ray Skillman Auto Group echoed the sentiment, saying, “NABD consistently does things for our group. Reinforces what we are doing right/well. Reminds us what we need to remember. Ken gives us updates on legal issues.”

NABD also hosted a reception for more than 200 first-time conference attendees. One was Bentley Nolan.

“As a first timer, I found the conference to be very engaging. The broadness of topics covered was exceptional,” Nolan said.

For operators who missed the Las Vegas event, NABD indicated conference presentations have been posted on its website at www.bhphinfo.com for downloading free of charge. NABD’s new benchmarks and trends information is available at www.subanalytics.com.

NABD announced that its next event will be a BHPH Conference in Orlando, Fla., at the Rosen Centre Hotel on Oct. 23-25. This facility is one of the 75 best meeting hotels in America, and NABD has arranged discounted room rates with no resort fees while supplies last. For more information, or to register for this upcoming conference, visit www.bhphinfo.com or call NABD headquarters at (832) 767-4759 while space is available.

And attendees highly recommend going to conferences orchestrated by NABD.

“It’s a great opportunity to get away from, yet focus, on your business,” said Mike Held of Koehne Car Credit.

And Greg Nippert of Freeland Chevrolet added, “New or old to BHPH, if you’re not attending or sending a key employee, you’re making a huge mistake.”