Both Used Car Week and the National Automotive Finance Association recognize that hosting industry events in a COVID-19 era requires extra efforts to make highly desirable learning and networking programs as safe and successful as possible.

With those unique circumstances in mind, the organizations announced today that the annual Non-Prime Auto Financing Conference will take place as a part of Used Car Week, beginning on Nov. 16 at the Westin Kierland in Scottsdale, Ariz.

“When the coronavirus pandemic began to impact every aspect of business life, we knew that leveraging our strong relationships with industry leaders like the NAF Association was going to be crucial,” Cherokee Media Group president Bill Zadeits said. “Our mutual goals to benefit all industry segments have resulted in an event strategy we believe can give attendees the opportunities for collaboration that’s even more crucial nowadays in an automotive world impacted by COVID-19.”

“The ability to join with Used Car Week as the forum to present this year’s conference provides the NAF Association a unique opportunity to collaborate with a respected organization and to offer expanded program options to our attendees,” NAF Association executive director Jack Tracey said.

Critical segments of the Non-Prime Auto Financing Conference such as the release of the NAF Association’s annual member survey and other keynote presentations are being seamlessly blended into the first block of Used Car Week, which also includes Auto Fin Con, Repo Con and Pre-Owned Con. Attendees will have the opportunity to take in presentations and keynote addresses that have been among the hallmarks of both events during a single stretch just before Thanksgiving, instead of two separate gatherings.

“Our teams are making every effort to showcase the best of what each unique industry event has to offer,” Zadeits said. “The most knowledgeable experts who can share insights about the critical topics associated with auto financing, repossessions, recovery and our economy as a whole are on the collective agenda.” 

Tracey added, “Both conference programs are being built and scheduled to provide attendees a vastly expanded educational opportunity.”

The conference teams have announced that live stream/virtual offerings will also be an option as part of this year’s event offerings, providing industry executives with convenient options to take part in the events.

For executives and entrepreneurs who cannot make the trip to Arizona, as aforementioned, Cherokee Media Group is making a portion of its events virtual. Specifics about those offerings will be finalized soon.

Both Cherokee Media Group and the NAF Association pledged to make the combined events as safe as possible for in-person attendees.

Both organizations are closely following concerns, regulations and updates on the COVID-19 pandemic. This news is evolving daily. The latest industry updates can be found by clicking here.

While state and federal directives aimed at curbing the pandemic forced many other industry events to be rescheduled or canceled altogether, organizers are hopeful the November timeframe gives both Cherokee Media Group and the NAF Association the best opportunity to welcome their colleagues and friends for long-standing events so critical to the industry health and vitality.

“We are excited about what’s in store for this year’s Non-Prime Auto Financing Conference and Used Car Week,” Zadeits said. “Like so many other leaders have expressed, ‘We’re better together.’ Both Cherokee Media Group and the NAF Association are striving toward excellence no matter the challenging circumstances.”

“We, too, are excited about this joint venture,” Tracey said. “Two of the industry’s best conferences at a shared venue will provide a great experience for all attendees.”