Are you an attendee, exhibitor or sponsor at Used Car Week?
It’s a strong likelihood your competitor is, at least judging by the lists below.
And it might be that someone you might benefit from doing business with could be on one of these lists.
So, if you’re not, you could be missing out.
Used Car Week Attendees:
http://www.usedcarweek.biz/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/UCW-Attendee-2015.pdf
Used Car Week Sponsors (by conference)
CPO Forum
Ally SmartAuction
Auto Alert
Autotrader
Cadillac
Cars.com
CarStory
Chrysler
Contact at Once
Costco Auto
Cox Automotive
DealerRater
Edmunds.com
Experian
Ford
General Motors
Infiniti
IntelliChoice.com
Kia Motors America
Lexus
MAXDigital
MetroGistics
NCM Associates
Nissan
ServNet
SGS Automotive Services
Subaru of America
Toyota Motor Sales, USA
ViNCENTRiC
Volkswagen of America
SubPrime Forum
American Lending Solutions Corp.
Black Book
Dealertrack Technologies
Del Mar Recovery Solutions
Fiserv
Hudson Cook
MetroGistics
NAF Association
PAR North America
ServNet
Re3 Conference
AFG Remarketing
Ally SmartAuction
American Lending Solutions Corp.
AutoIMS
Consolidated Asset Recovery Systems
Del Mar Recovery Solutions
Digital Recognition Network
Intellaegis
JMN Logistics
MBSi Capital Corp.
Montway Auto Transport
MVTRAC
PAR North America
Primeritus Financial Services
The Stream
National Remarketing Conference
AFG Remarketing
ALG
Ally Servicing
Ally SmartAuction
Auction Edge
Auto IMS
Automotive Finance Corp.
AutoVIN
Cox Automotive
GM Financial
IARA
Independent Auction Group
Jack Cooper Holdings Corp.
JMN Logistics
Liquid Motors
Manheim
MetroGistics
Montway Auto Transport
My Dealer Online
NAAA
NADA Used Car Guide
RVI Group
ServNet
SGS Automotive Services
ShipCarsNow
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan
Xcira
Used Car Week
ADESA
Alliance Inspection Management
Ally SmartAuction
America's Auto Auction
AutoIMS
Carfax
Cars.com
Cox Automotive
Dealers Auto Auction of the Southwest
Dealertrack Technologies
DriveItNow
Equifax
Experian
Fleet Financial
GM Financial
IARA
Insurance Auto Auctions
Liquid Motors
Montway Auto Transport
NIADA
Potratz Advertising
S&A Communications
ServNet
Vcommerce
Exhibitors:
Alliance Inspection Management
Allied Solutions
Ally SmartAuction
Automovy Logistics
BillingTree Payment Solutions
CallMiner
Cars.com
CertifiedCars.com
Cox Automotive
Edmunds.com
Insurance Auto Auctions
Intellaegis
Intrix Technology
Jack Cooper Holdings Corp.
Keynet
Liquid Motors
LotLinx
MAXDigital
MetroGistics
Montway Auto Transport
NAF Association
National Creditor's Connection
PassTime International
Proaction I-D Limited
QuikTrak
Spectrum Field Services
TrueFrame
United Road
Universal Car Remote
Vcommerce
Victory Recovery Services
Whann Technology Group
Wilkin Marketing
American Recovery Association officials landed their keynote speaker for the next North American Repossessors Summit coming up in April.
Scheduled to appear at the event with the headline sponsor Harding Brooks Insurance is Rocky Bleier, who intends to recap his courageous tale that takes place on the football fields of America and the battle fields of Vietnam. Bleier will share the lessons he learned through the NFL and the U.S. Army to motivate attendees to reach for their goals, despite the unexpected obstacles life brings.
The eighth annual event is set for April 14-15.
ARA insisted Bleier embodies heroism, determination, teamwork and leadership.
After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968, Bleier was drafted by the U.S. Army to fight in Vietnam. After being severely wounded, he was told he would never walk again, but he bravely rehabilitated himself for re-entry into the NFL.
Defeating all odds, Bleier regained his running back spot on the Steelers’ roster. The winner of four Super Bowl championships, he continues to inspire audiences and peers alike. Bleier was the recipient of the 2015 Eagle Rare Life Heroism Award for his incredible drive and inspirational story. The hard lessons Bleier learned early in life helped him overcome adversity and reach his goals in life after football. Some of those lessons are described in the popular book based on his life, Fighting Back, and on the ABC movie by the same name
“The obstacles that Rocky has overcome throughout his life makes him a true leader who will be able to provide invaluable lessons to the recovery industry,” ARA president Jerry Wilson said. “His story and message, along with the insight of other NARS speakers, will leave attendees with new outlooks to help drive their businesses toward success.”
There will be many influential speakers and powerful roundtable discussions at this year’s NARS.
Friday’s schedule includes five in-depth roundtable discussions on relevant business and industry topics including strategy, marketing, leadership and sales, of which attendees can choose to attend three. Roundtable speakers include:
— Michael Eusebio, president of RepoRoute
— Justin Zane, vice president of Zane Investigations
— Renee Low, program manager at Northern Star Management
— Alex Price, executive vice president at MasterFiles
More speaker announcements will be announced soon. ARA also gave a special thanks to AGR Recovery Specialists for being its first sponsor to contribute to the speaker fund. If you would like to contribute, email sarah@wellingtongrouppr.com.
In addition to the dynamic lineup of speakers, the NARS 2016 sponsorships are also going fast. MVTRAC is set to sponsor the fourth annual golf tournament, while Harding Brooks will kick things off during Thursday’s sponsored cocktail party.
Friday’s breakfast will be sponsored by PAR North America and Digital Recognition Network will sponsor a tailgate party officials said “is sure to be a real home run.”
Additional sponsorships are still available. Visit reposummit.com/sponsorship for more details.
The NARS 2016 theme, “The Rules of the Game”, will be centered around how to build a successful business by focusing on growth, profitability and sustainability. Professionals from the collateral recovery and remarketing industries will gather in Dallas to participate in NARS 2016. The summit will focus on open and collaborative discussions designed to improve the future of the industry.
To register, go to www.reposummit.com.
A new era for how the wholesale industry will gather annually for its largest event is just a year away from dawning.
The National Auto Auction Association is gathering for its annual convention this week in Orlando, Fla. But next year, the event will be a part of the National Remarketing Conference during Used Car Week at the Red Rock Casino & Resort in Las Vegas.
The team at Cherokee Media Group (which publishes Auto Remarketing) orchestrates Used Car Week, which includes not only the National Remarketing Conference, but also the CPO Forum, the SubPrime Forum and the Re3 Conference.
They will be on-site at the NAAA Convention this week in exhibit hall booths 205 and 207. Stop by to learn more about next year's event — and meet baseball legend Lou Piniella during the opening reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
“It’s amazing to consider that in a little more than 12 months from now all of the great elements of the NAAA’s annual convention will be combining with the NRC to form an event that’s aimed to benefit all players in the wholesale space,” Cherokee Media Group president and Used Car Week chairman Bill Zadeits said.
“The addition of NAAA’s convention to Used Car Week is a natural fit for everyone concerned and allows industry professionals to concentrate their networking,” Zadeits continued.
“Our team not only is doing a great job of organizing this year’s NRC coming up in November, but also looking ahead at how to plan for NRC/NAAA 2016 to make it not only meet but exceed the industry’s expectations,” he went on to say.
The meeting will be known as the National Remarketing Conference and National Auto Auction Association Convention and will be held each year during Used Car Week.
Getting both organizations to this point in the process has taken more than a year.
Dave Angelicchio, a past NAAA president who spearheaded the effort for a combined meeting, said when the combined conferences were announced last year: “I am extremely pleased that we have reached agreement to combine our conferences beginning in 2016.”
He went on to say that one of the many benefits to be realized will be when people can make one conference trip instead of two.
Another former NAAA president, Jack Neshe, also expressed support when the deal was announced in 2014, noting that the combination of the two meetings could not be accomplished until 2016 because of existing hotel contracts.
One registration fee will be used for the NRC/NAAA, said Frank Hackett, NAAA’s chief executive officer.
He said when the combined conferences were announced that some professionals who normally attend a NAAA convention but not the NRC will now be able to network with other industry professionals, and the same is true in reverse, as there are some people who traditionally attend NRC but not NAAA. “This will be a great value to everyone involved,” he said at the time.
Ron Smith, chairman emeritus of Cherokee Media Group, said the relationship with NAAA further enhances the value and importance of Used Car Week.
“The vision we’ve always had for UCW was that professionals from different segments of the industry can meet over a one week period to get to know each other better and find common areas where it is beneficial for them to work together,” Smith said.
Almost 20 years ago to the day, State Line Auto Auction hosted a sale that is said to be the first time a car was sold via simulcast.
Two decades later, almost 14 percent of auction sales are simulcast, according to the 2014 NAAA Annual Review. More than 4 percent are online-only, the same report says.
So, yeah, things have changed in the auction business, just as they have in the dealership world or for anyone else that buys and sells a product, be that Amazon, Best Buy or Domino’s (emoji your pizza!).
But many of the foundations of a successful business in the wholesale market — adapting to meet the customer’s needs and the importance standing behind a quality product, instilling confidence, and so forth — still stand firm today.
As we celebrate the National Auto Auction Association at the NAAA Convention this week, you will see much of this theme in our special convention edition magazine coverage — the balance between the emerging technologies and digitalization of the wholesale world with what has made the in-lane auction model work over the years.
In his column for this issue, our guest contributor and friend Jim DesRochers shares how after more than 25 years in the business, he still hears a lot of talk about the importance of lane location and run position.
At the same time, DesRochers also goes on to talk about the advanced technology the physical auctions offer, which again shows the change in the remarketing business.
His column also touches on a couple handfuls of factors that impact auction prices, and interestingly enough, these drivers are a mix between traditional market factors (having a rep on the block, vehicle history reports, seasonal demands) and conditions brought on by technology and the Internet (simulcast, imaging).
And some, still, really have to do with both. For instance, DesRochers lists this as one of the price drivers: “Dealer attendance to total consignment ratios, including targeted niche vehicle buyers, in-lane and online.”
Our feature on “How auctions balance technology: In-lane & online” discusses some of this dance, as well. That feature delves further into State Line’s simulcast sale and where simulcast and online sales have gone in the last 20 years.
Change is a big theme in the auction business. It’s also an opportunity, and incoming NAAA president Mike Browning points this out in a profile story on the Manheim San Antonio general manager.
“I feel like our biggest challenge is also our greatest opportunity. Change … It’s a word often used but not always understood. What needs to change and what needs to stay constant?” Browning said. “I think we should always be challenging the status quo. In-lane or online, we have to be looking forward.”
Full coverage can be found in our Sept. 15 NAAA Convention issue of Auto Remarketing, which includes auction feature stories (one of which is a look at condition reports), a profile on Browning, DesRochers’ column, your Auction Life photos, our Spotlight on Commercial Consignors and a look at the National Remarketing Conference and NAAA Convention coming together in 2016.
Look forward to seeing you in Orlando!
With just nine weeks to go until this year’s conference series kicks off, Used Car Week continues to build momentum.
In addition to the debut of the sneak peek webinar series for the event (hosted by advertising extraordinaire Paul Potratz), our conferences team has been busy adding new sponsors for Used Car Week.
Among those recently coming aboard:
CPO Forum
Experian
Nissan
Infiniti
Re3 Confrence
MBSi Capital Corp.
Used Car Week
Fleet Financial
And speaking of the sneak peek webinar series, a leader with one of those sponsoring companies, Melinda Zabritski of Experian, will be previewing her SubPrime Forum opening keynote address during the next webinar, which is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. EST.
For information about Used Car Week, be sure to visit www.usedcarweek.biz.
The TPC Management Co. put three more sessions in the books this summer for its Auction Academy aimed at providing continued education for auction industry professionals.
The academy will host its next and final event for 2015 as a joint-class session in Detroit this fall.
The first of the three summer sessions was hosted in mid-July in Spokane, Wash., the Auction Academy’s fourth annual trip to the location. The academy’s Class 4 Group participated in DAA Northwest’s Rock & Roll Sale along with interacting with key managers at the auction.
Len Roll, the auction’s manager of reconditioning shops, led the first day, focusing on auction operations along with a tour of the auction facility. Lecturers for the academy’s students included Greg Mahugh, the auction’s co-owner, and Mitzi VanVoorhis, the auction’s marketing manager, as well as an interactive exercise led by Gonzaga University professor of leadership studies Dr. Shann Ferch.
The second day included a discussion with Dave Woods, director of remarketing for Harley Davidson, followed by a Harley auction at DAA Northwest. The day ended with the Rock & Roll concert headlined by Heart following an industry overview by Charlie Vogelheim and an outline of auction technology by Scott Finkle, president of Auction Edge.
“We cannot thank Bob McConkey, Greg Mahugh and the entire staff of DAA Northwest enough for once again allowing the Academy to participate in their largest sale of the year,” said Penny Wanna, the academy’s vice president of administration. “It is amazing to see how the team is able to handle record breaking consignment volumes and so graciously accommodate us being right in the middle of all the auction action for the entire week.”
The academy hosted its first “Seminar Series,” later in July, featuring a Digital Manager’s Session in Chicago. The single-day session featured several presentations on various technology platforms, followed by open discussion on the challenges and opportunities of operating their businesses.
“That afternoon was the single most dynamic discussion session I have ever witnessed in our industry,” said Pierre Pons, the academy’s chief executive officer. “I am convinced that due to the interactions of that afternoon, the state of online sales for independent auctions has been enhanced dramatically.”
The academy’s Class Group 3 went to Brasher’s Sale Lake in late August for an auction tour and several discussion sessions. One academy student, Wanda Jowers, a 23-year employee of Carolina Auto Auction, commented on her experience.
“In all my years at the auction I thought I had seen just about everything,” Jowers said. “But over the course of my Academy experience, which allows me to visit so many other facilities around the country, I have picked up something new each and every time. The Salt Lake City session was my favorite to date — but quite honestly I have loved them all.”
For more information on the Auction Academy, visit its site here.
I pressed “send” on the email to notify recipients of the inaugural “Remarketing & Used-Car Industry’s 40 Under 40.”
It wasn’t even five minutes later that I got the first response back. Then another. And another, and another.
It went on like that for a while.
As a magazine editor, this was awesome; folks in my line of work love quick responses.
But that wasn’t the best part. See, it wasn’t that people responded, it was how they responded to earning 40 Under 40 recognition.
Just a few examples:
“Wow! Thank you!”
“This is quite an honor, and I’ll be honest, I’m shocked.”
“ … wow this is amazing, thank you!”
“Thank you for such great news!
It was extremely humbling to hear such positive response from our 40 Under 40 recipients, especially after learning all the great things these folks are doing in this business and within their communities.
It’s touching to know that this award is meaningful and impactful to some of the very people who are making a significant impact in the industry.
And at such young ages, I might add.
As a 32-year-old myself, I’m right at the midpoint of the age range for our honorees. Being a part of this same generation, I can appreciate the broader economic, political and cultural environment in which our honorees grew up, went to school and eventually made their way in the workforce.
That makes this whole project even more rewarding.
And inspiring. If I ever need a swift kick of motivation, reading these people’s stories certainly provides that to a 30-something like me.
Speaking of inspiring, it was also heartening to see how many people nominated their peers.
Unfortunately, the very nature of this project doesn’t allow us to pick all the nominees, although many are equally impressive in their own right.
But good news: this is just the first edition. This industry is full of people under 40 (and under 30, for that matter) who are making waves, and this project is going to allow us to recognize many different folks year after year. Congratulations to all the honorees, nominees and the great companies you represent. And thank you for making this project rewarding!
And now, without further ado, is the inaugural Remarketing and Used-Car Industry's 40 Under 40:
Sarah Amico, Jack Cooper Holdings Corp.
Chad Bockius, CarStory
William Brigance, City Auto Sales
Chase Channell, Rick Case Kia
Jose Delgado, PAR North America
Steven DeLuca, Auto Auction of New England
Joe Derkos, J.D. Power
Dan Diedrich, Auction Edge
Kirby Durham, J.D. Byrider
Jenifer Eggert, Manheim
Josh Elias, Del Mar Recovery Solutions
John Elizaga, Emkay
Summer Ernsberger, ADESA
Scott Fontaine, Ally
Adam Galema, NextGear Capital
Brent Garrett, CarLotz
Alec Gutierrez, Kelley Blue Book
Spencer Henney, Manheim
Jason Herman, U.S. Bank
Casey Hughes, Toyota Financial Services
Chris Knaub, Bill Luke Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
Joe Mappes, Primeritus Financial Services
John Mathiowetz, Avis Budget Group
Brian McBrearty, ARI
John Messiha, Capital One Auto Finance
Joe Miller, Auto Auction Services Corp.
Nick Ouritski, Thrift Auto Sales
Jodie Plaunt, Grand Rapids Auto Auction
Todd Rea, Dealers Auto Auction of Chattanooga
Jenn Reid, Equifax
David Rice, Cox Automotive
Dustin Ruch, MetroGistics
Christina Schrank, National Auto Care
Michael Scott, Consumer Portfolio Services
Brian Skutta, AutoAlert
Revathi Srinivasan, ADESA
Jessica Stafford, Cox Automotive
Michael Vincent, Newell Auto Group
Jordan Walters, Black Book Auto
Jeremiah Wheeler, Digital Recognition Network
Amal Zahri, DriveTime
These honorees will be recognized during a ceremony at the National Remarketing Conference portion of Used Car Week this fall.
Complete coverage of our 40 Under 40, including special feature stories about these honorees, can be found in the Sept. 1 issue of Auto Remarketing.
Of the more than 30 educational and networking sessions on tap for the Debt Connection Symposium and Expo 2015, one of the highlights is the session geared specifically for the vehicle recovery space.
Event organizers highlighted that the Auto Finance Peer Group breakout session is being set up to provide auto creditors the opportunity to meet with industry peers to discuss auto recovery issues, challenges and best practices.
During the breakout session, there will be discussions related to the current economic situation, its impact on vehicle recoveries, and the best practices of industry leaders to manage recovery operations through these challenging times.
“The session will be an interactive, open forum providing attendees the opportunity to share their experiences, thoughts and plans for the future,” officials said about event segment to be moderated by Kelli Edmonds of Axcess Financial Services.
The Debt Connection Symposium and Expo 2015 is set for Sept. 9-11 at the JW Marriott in Austin, Texas.
Along with the auto finance segment, some of the other event sessions include:
— Meet the Regulators: Scheduled to appear are Greg Nodler and Susan Torzilli of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Matthew Wilshire of the Federal Trade Commission.
— The Great Debate on Collection Effectiveness and Compliance: Set to participate are Mark Naiman of Absolute Resolutions Corp., Manny Newburger of Barron & Newburger, Andrew Schorn of USAA Federal Savings Bank and Josh Seuberling of Tempoe.
— Skip Options and Solutions: On the scheduled panel are Bill Butler of Experian, Sheila Gabler of VeriFacts, Marc Ahlers of Digital Recognition Network and Jason Horsley of LexisNexis.
“DCS2015 combines five distinct learning styles and experiences with more networking opportunities and specialty meetings than ever before in one venue — structured to maximize the educational focus of the event,” officials said.
“With collections, compliance and accountability as our educational focus, we a take a fresh look at the operational decisions affecting our company’s goals, whether it impacts the protection of the consumer, the brand, or the company’s performance and continued existence,” they continued.
“Success and achievement are a combination of knowledge, relationships and action. These principles will be examined throughout the conference,” officials went on to say.
The complete agenda and more details can be found at www.debtconnectionsymposium.com.
DealerSocket chief executive officer Jonathan Ord described it as “very humbling” to have a conversation with employees last week when the technology company announced its fourth major acquisition since the beginning of the year.
Ord made that statement since DealerSocket has gone from an idea sprouted in a garage with fellow founder Brad Perry to the point where the company is making acquisitions costing more than $50 million.
The latest move came last week through a definitive agreement under which DealerSocket will acquire Dealertrack’s Inventory+ business in an all-cash transaction for approximately $55 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, Dealertrack’s Inventory+ suite of inventory management solutions, including its AAX product in the U.S. and Canada, as well as its eCarlist websites, will be acquired by DealerSocket.
This development arrived after DealerSocket added DealerFire, FEX DMS and AutoStar Solutions to its dealer technology portfolio to enhance its marketing theme of, “We are automotive.”
Ord touched why DealerSocket added these Dealertrack assets when he addressed dealer clients hours after the acquisition announcement when the company hosted its User Summit in San Diego.
“One of the main criteria to acquiring companies is that we acquire teams and product lines that think the same way we do and can integrate well into our culture,” Ord said during his closing address posted online here.
“To our customers, to our employees, we are so ready for the future. We are so excited about the next step in changing the world,” he continued.
DealerSocket’s employee and customer count jumped via the latest acquisition, which is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter. The company added 209 employees who worked with Dealertrack to run the inventory tool.
“We’ve been watching that business for a long period of time,” said Ord, adding that a current DealerSocket executive helped to develop the AAX product before it became a part of the Dealertrack portfolio several years ago.
“Dealertrack had the asset and did a bunch of good things with it. It’s a great value proposition for us and for our customers. We look forward to integrating that inventory management functionality,” he continued.
Ord said the deal brings 3,388 dealer customers into the DealerSocket family, as well.
“Some of that is overlap with our current customer base, but much of it is green field and white space where we can help all of those customers use better CRM, website and inventory technologies,” he said.
Ord spent the remainder of his time on stage at the DealerSocket event thanking dealer customers for attending in hopes each one received more skills and resources to improve their businesses.
“Go back to your stores and be a change agent,” Ord said.
The National Auto Auction Association Convention is just weeks away, and Auto Remarketing is celebrating the annual event and the auction industry with our yearly NAAA Convention issue.
One of the special sections in that magazine (our Sept. 15 edition) is the annual “Auction Life” photo spread, where we invite NAAA-member auctions to submit photos of daily auction life from the past year.
If you and your auction(s) would like to participate, please have photo submissions emailed to Auto Remarketing editor Joe Overby no later than 5 p.m. (EST) on Sept. 4.
If you are sending large or multiple pictures, a zip file or a photo-sharing site might work better.
These photos can run the gamut: We want to see everything from the daily business operations and sales days to the life and fun that occurs at your auction (for example: cookouts, special events, holiday parties, team-building activities, etc.)
They will need to be in high-resolution, JPG format.
Please send captions, if they are available, as well. And while we strongly encourage these photo submissions, we won’t be able to print every photo. However, as a bonus, we will also be running some photos in our digital version of the magazine as an Online Extra.
If you need ideas on what kind of photos to send, last year’s photo spreads can be found here:
http://digital.autoremarketing.com/publication/?i=224921&p=46
Thank you, and see you in Orlando for the convention!
