The 2016 NADA Convention & Expo in Las Vegas is just around the corner, and attendees would be smart to review what’s on the docket before they arrive for the huge event that has a full agenda.
The NADA event is scheduled for March 31 through April 3 this year at the Las Vegas Convention Center — although some of the activities will take place off site, as indicated at www.nadaconvention.org.
The event will kick off on Thursday, March 31 with registration starting at 9 a.m. On that first day, attendees will be privy to a presentation titled, “Connect with Car Buyers in a Mobile-First World,” as well as a series of concurrent workshops by NADA University Online.
And keep an eye out for workshops from The Exchange, which features roundtable discussions built on peer-to-peer learning. Thursday will also feature a workshop titled, “Stacking the Deck with Four Aces in “Your Used-Car Department,” which would be particularly relevant to dealers trying to grow used sales.
First thing Friday, the Expo Hall will open with a chance for attendees to check out the huge number on-site vendors, many of which are announcing new products at the event. There will also be a Dealer Franchise Meeting at 10:30 a.m. for Acura, Audi, FCA, Mazda and Nissan. The day’s schedule will end with the NADA Opening General Session, featuring Jeff Foxworthy, comedian and entertainer.
On Saturday, attendees might want to check out the workshop, titled, “Attract and Retain Top Employee Talent,” presented by Kathleen Korpita of Cox Automotive. And franchise meetings for the following groups will be held that day, as well: 8:30 a.m. for Buick-GMC and Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, MINI, Subaru and Volkswagen, and at 10:15 a.m. for BMW, Cadillac, Kia, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, smart and Volvo. The day will close with a NADA General Session, featuring Howard Dean, Karl Rove and Mike Allen of Politico.
Come the last day of the event, attendees are in for some exciting sessions, especially if they happen to be football fans. Peyton Manning, quarterback for the Super Bowl 50 winning team, the Denver Broncos, will give an inspirational talk at 9 a.m. on Sunday. A dealer franchise meeting will also be held for Hyundai, Infiniti, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Porsche and Toyota that day, which is on the schedule for 10:45 a.m. And make sure not to miss out on the 1 p.m. workshop on “Hacking in the Automotive Industry,” as protecting customer information on the Web has become more and more difficult. And at 2:30 the last workshop of the convention will focus on “The Future of Automotive Retail Sales and Your Dealership.”
There’s much more on tap for NADA, so for a full agenda and all the 411, check out www.nadaconvention.org.
IARA-specific events at NAAA/CAR/IARA Conference
Meanwhile, next week is the NAAA/CAR Conference, which is also in Las Vegas. It includes a meeting of the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance, as well.
The IARA-specific material at the event begins Tuesday with a day of IARA Certification testing, committee meetings and an IARA board of directors meeting to close the day.
Action on the next day (March 16) will begin with a State of the IARA Address from IARA president Jeannie Chiaromonte and IARA executive director Tony Long.
That will be followed by the IARA Keynote Address from NAAA Hall-of-Famer Tony Moorby, titled “Back to the Future.”
Concurrent roundtable discussions will follow, and then repeat.
Those are titled:
— Navigating the Disruption Highway
— Making the Grade
After the morning sessions is the IARA Circle of Excellence Luncheon. The afternoon IARA sessions kick off with NAAA and IARA presenting the Ed Bobit Industry Icon Award.
Later that afternoon is a consignor-only group discussion and then a session on “First-Look: Centralized Automobile Data Repository System to Access Vehicle Build, Warranty, and Recall Data.”
There is also IARA certification testing from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on March 18.
Organizers for this year’s North American Repossessors Summit (NARS), an industry event hosted by American Recovery Association and Harding Brooks Insurance, recently announced that all exhibitor spots for its eighth annual event are sold.
The organizations indicated the high interest of exhibitors combined with record-high numbers of early bird registrants is setting up NARS 2016 to be the largest summit to date.
Since 2008, NARS has brought industry professionals from around the country to collaborate and network with other like-minded individuals. NARS 2016 will take place April 14 and 15 in Irving, Texas. The sports-themed event will feature keynote speaker, Rocky Bleier, former member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Super Bowl champion and Vietnam veteran.
“We knew that we would garner a larger audience with the high-caliber speakers and sponsors that we have lined up for NARS 2016,” ARA president Jerry Wilson said. “We are euphoric with the hype that has been building within the industry for this year’s event. It’s truly going to be the best NARS ever.”
This year’s summit will have new attractions such as the DRN sponsored tailgate party, AT&T Stadium Tour and MVTRAC sponsored golf tournament held at the Cowboys Golf Club.
Between these new events and the Harding Brooks Insurance sponsored cocktail party, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to mingle and network with possible clients, vendors and lenders.
The NARS committee would also like to thank the other event sponsors, PRA Location Services, PAR North America, Recovery Manager Pro, Northern Star Management, Premier Adjusters, Dynamic Towing Equipment & Manufacturing and AGR Recovery Specialists for helping make NARS “the must-attend event of the year.”
Interested companies can still contribute to NARS 2016 by making a monetary donation to the speaker fund. All contributions will warrant signage and recognition during speaking events.
For more information, visit www.reposummit.com.
The Northwood University/Cox Automotive Interactive Dealer Summit is coming up Thursday at the university’s campus in Midland, Mich.
The event designed for networking and to spark important discussion surrounding marketing and retailing trends in the industry. It’s scheduled for from 8:30 a.m. (ET) to 5 p.m. on Thursday in the university’s Griswold Communication Center.
The summit is focused on “information sharing, best practices and networking among the university's faculty and students, presenting Cox Automotive executives and attendees from leading Michigan dealerships,” a news release on the event said.
Some highlights of the day-long even include a Q&A session with Cox Automotive vice president of customer marketing Kevin Filan, a discussion which will focus on the concept of “positive disruption.”
Cox Auto VP of global talent management and diversity and inclusion Kathleen Korpita will talk on attracting and retaining top talent. And the Cox Auto executive panel will include Jared Rowe, president, Cox Automotive Media; Janet Barnard, president, Manheim North America; Rock Anderson, senior vice president and chief people officer, Cox Automotive; and Brian Geitner, president, Cox Automotive Financial Services and NextGear Capital.
Also during the event, Northwood University president and chief executive officer Keith Pretty, senior VP Timothy Nash and Elgie Bright, who is chair of the automotive marketing and management degree program, will present a session on “The Northwood Idea” and introduce the university’s Dealer Workforce Study results.
"The partnership between Northwood University and Cox Automotive represents a strong bond between two leaders in automotive marketing efforts," said Bright.
"The Summit aims not only to educate and inform dealers about crucial industry trends and benchmarks, but it also provides dealers with the ability to meet Northwood University students in person. Our students are the industry's future workforce, and this event allows them to meet potential employers in person and make what we hope will be mutually beneficial connections,” Bright continued.
The students will also play a role in the event. They will deliver the results of their practicum, Connected Car Study, and Cox Auto will honor its 2015-2016 scholarship recipients.
The event will end with a networking reception hosted by Cox Auto University Relations.
The event is designed as a three-way partnership between Northwood University, Cox Automotive, and dealers across Michigan.
"We know the Northwood University students are capable of great things," said Jason Jager, director of industry relations, at Cox Automotive. "We witness it year-in and year-out with the amazing work they do at their student-run Northwood University International Auto Show each fall. We're eager to demonstrate our commitment to the automotive industry through this new Interactive Dealer Summit.”
ServNet Auction Group’s president Kevin Brown recently introduced the association’s board of directors.
Planning for a busy year ahead, the recently appointed Brown acknowledged the contributions of ServNet members past and present who are transitioning into new roles within the organization.
"It is an honor for me to serve as ServNet's president, and to work with some of the very best people in the auction industry who give tirelessly of their time and resources on behalf of our organization,” Brown said. “Their efforts ensure the continued success of ServNet as a whole as well as our individual auction members.”
Formerly the group’s president, Patty Stanley of both Carolina and Indiana Auto Auctions now serves as the chairman of the board. Ben Brasher, of Brasher’s Auctions, will serve as vice president, while Eric Autenrieth, of Indiana Auto Auction, is now the group’s treasurer.
Steve DeLuca, the general manager of Auto Auction of New England, and Rob Brasher, of Brasher’s Salt Lake Auto Auction, replace Bill Williams (Flint Auto Auction) as ServNet’s directors. Rob Thompson, of Mid-State Auto Auction, maintains his position on the board as a director.
DeLuca, named by Auto Remarketing as a member of 2015’s inaugural class of “Remarketing & Used-Car Industry’s 40 Under 40,” said, "It is an exciting opportunity to work in league with such a strong peer group on behalf of all the auctions in the ServNet group."
Growing up in the business, Rob Brasher looks forward to serving on ServNet’s board.
"As one of ServNet's founding members, Brasher's Salt Lake Auto Auction has enjoyed a long affiliation with the best independent auctions in the country," Brasher said. "As a member of the board of directors, I am looking forward to continuing the work started by my predecessors, ensuring that ServNet auctions offer an unmatched level of service to auto dealers, fleet and institutional accounts, and manufacturers across the country."
In addition to acknowledging the new board members, Brown also tipped his hat to others who have contributed to the board, including R. Charles Nichols, of BSC America, Bel Air Auto Auction and Tallahassee Auto Auction, who has served as a director, vice president, president and chairman of the board. Nichols now serves as a ServNet representative on the AutoIMS/AASC Board of Directors, along with Greg Mahugh, of the McConkey Auction Group, who assists on the AASC Finance Committee.
Doug Doll, of KCI Kansas City, will now serve as ServNet’s liaison to the IARA Board of Directors.
Brown also pointed to ServNet’s CEO Pierre Pons, and his team at TPC Management, to thank them for their support of the organization.
"Led by Pierre Pons, TPC Management has provided administrative support since 2008, and we look for that relationship to continue for a very long time," Brown said. "In facilitating leadership transitions as we move through two-year terms of office, TPC has enabled ServNet Auctions to flourish, commanding respect and prestige as a key voice and influence in the auction industry."
In light of a variety of new ways emerging to buy vehicles nowadays — not just through a dealership or private-party transaction — the Federal Trade Commission announced on Monday that it will host a one-day workshop.
FTC officials explained the event set for Jan. 19 is being designed to explore competition and related issues in the U.S. auto distribution system, including how consumers and businesses may be affected by state regulations and emerging trends in the industry. The event will take place in Washington, D.C., at the FTC’s Constitution Center Auditorium, starting at 9 a.m.
“The auto industry is a critical sector of the U.S. economy and one that is undergoing substantial technology-driven change,” FTC officials said. “It is currently subject to regulation at both the state and federal level.”
The FTC pointed out that states, for example, regulate the relationship between manufacturers and dealers that sell vehicles to consumers, including dealer location, warranty reimbursement and direct-to-consumer sales.
The agency noted other state and federal regulations govern a variety of other aspects of auto operation and ownership, such as safety, insurance and licensing.
The January workshop will focus primarily on exploring the competition issues arising from state level regulation of auto distribution. It also will explore emerging trends in the auto industry, such as car-sharing, connected cars and autonomous vehicles, with a focus on how those trends will affect the current regulatory system that governs the auto industry.
The workshop will be webcast live on the FTC’s website. Officials mentioned that individuals who want to attend in person advance registration is not required, but is strongly encouraged.
The agency added registration information, an agenda, directions to the FTC’s Constitution Center building and a list of speakers will be available in the near future on the event’s website.
While Volkswagen has been facing NOx-emission-related issues in North America for its diesel vehicles, the company has also been handling a CO2-emission-related issue in Europe. Wednesday, the company says that issue is “largely concluded.”
Questions arose from the German government’s Federal Motor Transport Authority a month ago estimating that approximately 800,000 vehicles manufactured by VW’s various companies were under suspicion for producing higher levels of CO2 emissions and achieving lower fuel efficiency than originally posted.
Today, VW admits that the discrepancy was factual but that it only affects approximately 36,000 vehicles from nine model variants in Europe. They also reaffirm that no unlawful change has been made to the vehicles’ stated fuel consumption or their CO2 figures and that the handful of vehicles that were found with discrepancies will have their catalogues updated to reflect more accurate figures.
According to VW, the only deviations found in the figures for the nine model variants amount to a few grams of CO2 on average, and that the nine models account for only 0.5 percent of the volume of the VW brand. VW also says that none of the vehicles have misrepresented fuel economies.
VW plans to have all of the affected model variants remeasured by a neutral technical service under the supervision of the appropriate authority by Dec. 25.
To reiterate, this issue is contained to Europe and does not include products and services provided by Volkswagen Group of America or Volkswagen Canada or any of their North American affiliates.
In other VW news, VW AG will host a live press conference tomorrow morning to provide "information on the current status of the clarification process concerning the diesel issue and on the realignment of the group." Those in North America that are curious and early-to-rise can check out a live stream of the press conference at 4:20 a.m. EST here.
The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers and IHS Automotive have partnered together to create their first Diversity Volume Leadership Awards.
These awards will recognize makes and models that garner the highest new-vehicle volume registrations based on model year for the following consumer segments:
- Ethnic consumers (consumers of African-American, Asian, Hispanic or Native American descent)
- Women (of any ethnicity)
- Ethnic millennials (new vehicle registrants aged 18-34)
The recipients of these awards will be determined based on IHS Automotive's new-vehicle registration data from the 2015 model year (registration volumes from October 2014 through September 2015).
IHS says this year’s awards are based on more than 13 million new-vehicle registrations.
"Ethnic buyers represented 28 percent of all U.S. new-vehicle registrations in 2015, and are one of the fastest growing audiences," said Marc Bland, vice president of diversity and inclusion at IHS Automotive. "In the past year, their volumes have grown 150 percent faster than the rest of the industry — and it's important to recognize their influence on vehicle purchases and honor the brands that dedicate resources to diversity efforts."
The Diversity Volume Leadership Awards will include the following categories, according to NAMAD:
2015 Diversity Volume Leadership Awards categories
| Volume Leaders by Ethnic Consumer Group |
Ethnic Volume Leaders by IHS Automotive Regions |
Volume Leaders – Millennials and Women |
| Top Vehicle – African American |
Great Lakes Region |
Top Women's Vehicle |
| Top Vehicle – Hispanic |
Mideast Region |
Top Women's Luxury Vehicle |
Top Vehicle – Asian Pacific
Islander |
New England Region |
Top Ethnic Millennial
Vehicle |
| Top Vehicle – Native American |
Plains Region |
|
| Top Luxury Vehicle – African American |
Rocky Mountain Region |
|
| Top Luxury Vehicle – Hispanic |
Southeast Region |
|
| Top Luxury Vehicle – Asian Pacific Islander |
Southwest Region |
|
| Top Luxury Vehicle – Native American |
Western Region |
|
| Top Overall Ethnic Vehicle (Luxury or Non-Luxury) |
|
|
"This awards program will recognize the brands that the multicultural community is buying and also recognize manufacturers that are dedicating marketing efforts to this growing segment," said Damon Lester, NAMAD’s president.
The winners will be announced during the Diversity Volume Leadership Awards before the North American International Auto Show on Jan. 10.
ACA International chief executive officer Pat Morris reiterated three reasons why collection industry executives should participate in the organization’s 2016 Washington Insights Conference, which had to be adjusted due to a revised congressional schedule released by new leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives.
While the date has changed to April 20 and 21, Morris maintained that the event is an exclusive opportunity for ACA members to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.
At this year’s Washington Insights Conference, Morris pointed out ACA members will have the unique opportunity to meet leading members of Congress, as well as officials from regulatory agencies such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission.
“ACA is working tirelessly to make Congress and federal regulators understand the complex credit and collection industry and the vital role it plays in the U.S. economy,” Morris said. ” Now is the perfect time for industry leaders to make their voices heard in Washington.”
Morris then pinpointed three other reasons why is attending this meeting so important
1. You will be empowered by real information and insight. Attending this meeting will ensure that you are informed about what is coming for our industry. You will learn about the latest changes and the actions being considered by federal regulators. You will get the very latest information right from the source.
2. Your voice will be heard. We are not powerless against these agencies — the CFPB, FCC, FTC, and others — and it is important for representatives of these agencies to hear directly from credit and collection professionals. They need and want to hear real-life examples of how their past actions have impacted your employees, business, and those consumers from whom you are attempting to collect. Your input will enable your elected representatives to understand what changes they can make to fix the problems with our current debt collection laws.
3. You will help your business. You will have a chance to meet and hear from leading members of Congress and industry-leading lobbyists on TCPA and other regulatory issues. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions and dive deep into how you can best be prepared to meet the demands your business will face in 2016 and beyond.
The Washington Insights Conference also will feature renowned journalist Bob Woodward as the keynote speaker. Registration for this event is now open on ACA’s Washington Insights website.
Three years ago, I was getting ready to go to my first Used Car Week, which was taking place, coincidentally, at The Phoenician.
Jonathan Fredin, our chief photographer here at Cherokee Media Group, told to me expect lots of food throughout the five-day conference series.
This, of course, was music to my ears. (And, by the way, he was right).
We’re returning to The Phoenician this year, and tasty food will once again be on the menu at Used Car Week 2015.
But here are a few changes you can look forward to:
CPO Forum begins at 9 a.m. Monday (Nov. 16)
That means early to bed Sunday night. Monday morning will kick off with some great workshops, and we don’t want you to miss out.
The CPO workshops repeat
If you pull up your handy Used Car Week app on your smartphone, you’ll notice that our CPO Forum workshops repeat. So, if you have trouble deciding which ones to attend, no need to worry. Catch them on the next go-around.
Additionally, some (but not all) of the National Remarketing workshops repeat, including a few on Wednesday. Be sure to check the agenda to get the full rundown. And all of that info can be found on the Used Car Week app.
Inaugural Remarketing & Used Car 40 Under 40
On the awards side of Used Car Week, we have added a presentation to honor Auto Remarketing’s inaugural Remarketing & Used Car 40 Under 40. These folks will be recognized during a luncheon on Thursday (12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 19)
Networking & reception fun
In additional to our usual receptions, this year, we also have two new networking/social events for you to enjoy. From 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday night (Nov. 18) is the Cocktail Hour, brought to you by Vcommerce. Head up to the J&G Steakhouse Patio, atop the Phoenician’s main building, for all the fun.
Then on Thursday (Nov. 19) is the Social Hour, sponsored by Fleet Financial, Montway Auto Transport and ServNet. It will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the expo hall.
Editorial & social media
Last but not least are some editorial and social media additions to Used Car week. We’re planning to set up space in the expo hall to conduct video interviews. If you’re interested, email me at joverby@cherokeemediagroup.com or tweet me at @AR_JoeOverby. Or just find me at Used Car Week and come say hello!
Speaking of Twitter and all things social media, be sure to use the #UsedCarWeek hashtag for your social media posts throughout the week. And be ready for an exciting announcement regarding our Best Auto Auctions to Work For in 2016.
Meantime, get set for a great week of content, networking and fun.
And, please, enjoy the food.
Really, anywhere that Howard Segal has gone, there have been cars.
His job as a youth at the gas station, pumping fuel at age 13. Following the footsteps of his older brother, the southern New Jersey native then became a mechanic in his late teens. That eventually led to the dealership world, auto finance and remarketing.
And now the vice president and national remarketing manager for Wells Fargo is our latest National Remarketing Executive of the Year.
The award, sponsored by ServNet, will be presented to Segal on Nov. 18 at the National Remarketing Conference portion of Used Car Week.
“In just three short years, the National Remarketing Executive of the Year, presented by ServNet, has become a great tradition and generated strong respect within the remarketing industry,” said Bill Zadeits, publisher of Auto Remarketing and Used Car Week conference chair.
“It’s something that we at Auto Remarketing and the National Remarketing Conference are very proud of, and we’re honored to present this year’s award to Howard Segal of Wells Fargo,” Zadeits added.
“ServNet congratulates Howard Segal of Wells Fargo Auto Finance as National Remarketing Executive of the Year,” said Kevin Brown, ServNet’s president and owner of Missouri Auto Auction. “He has long been a respected partner and valued friend to the auto auction community, and we applaud his tireless efforts and the outstanding contributions he has made to our industry.”
R. Charles Nichols, owner of BSC America Auctions and former chairman of the board at ServNet, added: “Howard is one of the giants in the remarketing industry, whose dedication, vision and innovation have established his position as a leader in the marketplace.”
Segal has seen it all when it comes to the car business. He worked for a decade in the dealership world, starting in his early 20s. Starting off as a mechanic in the service department, Segal advanced from there, eventually becoming a used-car manager.
He has been with Wells Fargo since 2003 and held previous remarketing roles with Bank of America and PNC National bank. All told, Segal has been on the remarketing side of the business for more than 20 years, but his experience on the dealership level certainly still helps him today.
He said that working in the dealership gave him the chance to experience the sales and service process and learn the organizational part of it.
You will be able to learn more from Segal in our Nov. 15 issue of Auto Remarketing, our on-site issue for Used Car Week.
In addition to the awards ceremony, Segal will be a panelist on the “The State of the Pre-Owned Industry” general session at NRC on Nov. 19. Both are can’t-miss events, so make your register for Used Car Week and check out our attendee list, as well.
