SARASOTA, Fla. — During the reception on Monday evening of the 2008 Special Finance Convention, which will be held in Dallas Aug. 17 to 19, an awards ceremony for the inaugural group of inductees into the Special Finance Hall of Fame will be held.

The Special Finance Hall of Fame will annually induct individuals or companies to be honored for noteworthy achievements and/or successes in the special finance industry.

Officials said, the inaugural inductees include both individuals and companies that have excelled and whose names are synonymous with the SF industry.

Other convention highlights will include:

—18 finance companies will be in attendance at the 2008 SF Convention. Attending dealers will have multiple opportunities to interact with the companies.

—A finance company panel, composed of representatives from Capital One Auto Finance, AmeriCredit, Drive Financial, CitiFinancial Auto and Chase Auto Finance, will take place during Monday morning's opening session. Finance company representatives will provide insight on how to best use their programs.

—Education tracks will be led by four top special finance trainers, covering such topics as how to spend your advertising dollars, setting appointments that show, how to employ a BDC or call center, maximizing technology and much more.

—The finance company and industry expert roundtable will take place Tuesday afternoon during the convention. Attendees will be able to choose which roundtables they join throughout the session.

The two-and-a-half day event will be held at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas. On Sunday, registration begins at 1 p.m. and the event formally kicks off with the opening reception at 6 p.m.

For a detailed agenda or more information about the convention, visit www.2008SFConvention.com, or call (888) 490-0303.