The Independent Auction Group and the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance have signed a four-year sponsorship agreement, IAG announced Monday.

Under the agreement, IAG becomes the lead sponsor of the IARA’s Summer Roundtable and IARA’s website.

The first IAG-sponsored event will be during the IARA Summer Roundtable scheduled for Aug. 18 and Aug. 19 at the Downtown Fort Worth Hilton.

“The mutual benefit of this sponsorship is strong.  The IARA responds to a need for national representation within the vehicle remarketing organizations of our multi-billion dollar per year industry,” said Lynn Weaver, IAG co-chairman “ The IAG organized to bring together resources and services for independent auction owners, managers, and employees to support that same industry.

“IAG’s mission has always been to promote independently owned auctions and to sustain an alliance within the industry that gives its membership a group conscience and voice.  The opportunity to join with IARA strengthens that voice and increases the reach throughout our industry to better opportunities for all,” he continued.

Levi McCoy, IARA president, added: “We are pleased to have the Independent Auction Group as our new partners. The Independent Auction Group is a diverse and growing component of the remarketing industry. IAG auctions are members of the National Auto Auction Association and represent everything that is great about IARA’s working partnership with NAAA.”

IARA executive director Tony Long added: “This partnership brings IARA a long-term stability to our sponsorship program and will raise the bar for quality at our meetings. In turn, our agreement provides improved membership opportunities for IAG members and increased opportunities for dialog with consignors, service providers, and other key players within the remarketing industry.”