Greetings and thank you for your continued support. The IARA has been engaged in several significant industry events recently and continues to work toward an overall improved remarketing industry process for everyone.
The IARA Spring Meeting at CAR2011 just concluded and we are so appreciative of the record attendance at the IARA sessions at the CAR 2011 Conference. Our opening breakfast session featured an informative presentation on the changes in vehicles and the potential driver distractions in vehicles today by Charlie Vogelheim, Executive Editor at IntelliChoice. Who would have guessed only a few years ago about the technology choices we have in vehicles today which add to the complexity of the remarketing process?
The IARA’s Circle of Excellence Award Luncheon featured a keynote address by industry icon and former Circle of Excellence Award recipient Mike Hockett, Founder and CEO, Auction Broadcasting Company. Mike is always a delight to listen to, as he contrasted the early days of the auction and remarketing industry to the technology advanced systems in place today.
The 2011 IARA Circle of Excellence Award was presented by Bob Graham, ARI, to Frank Grochal, ARI, in a videotape shown to attendees. Dave Alfonso, Kia, delivered the background and history about Frank, which of course was most impressive with his fifty two years of service to the industry and his community. Congratulations to Frank.
The two Roundtable sessions in the morning featured a brainstorming session led by Les Lynott, Emkay, and Doug Turner, Byrider. Subjects discussed included the selling of non-fleet vehicles in fleet lanes, the DWI locking device regulation in New York State, and more consistent condition report writing.
The other roundtable was led by Jim DesRochers, DAA Southwest, and Rob Wagner, Hyundai, on the subject of vehicle history reports (VHR’s). It was agreed to form a sub-committee to keep addressing the issues with the VHR process. Thanks goes out to these facilitators who put in many hours to provide these important forums.
Congratulations and well done to Gus Xamplas, Donlen Corp. who achieved the IARA CAR designation and was recognized at the CAR2011 Conference in Las Vegas. Congratulations and well done also to Brian Garner and Fred Walerski of ARI in Mt Laurel, New Jersey, who just completed the last exams in the IARA CAR program. There are now a total of 20 remarketers who have earned the IARA CAR designation.
Since our last newsletter, we are pleased to recognize the following new IARA members: America’s Auto Auction, American Auto Auction Group, General Motors, GE Capital, J.D. Byrider Sales, Mike Albert Leasing, and Synergy Logistics. We greatly appreciate your support.
The new and enhanced IARA website is in place with new navigation and easier course ordering. A blog functionality is a new feature also, so please use it and tell us what you think. Check us out at www.iara.biz.
The IARA Board of Directors convened the day before CAR2011 to conduct an all day session on strategic planning for the IARA. The dynamic session was led by Jim Creighton, ARI’s Vice President, Global Strategic Services. We would like to offer our sincere thanks to Jim and to ARI for his time and contributions. In the session we examined and thoroughly discussed the IARA’s strengths, weaknesses, competition, and opportunities.
In summary, the organization is well positioned in the industry with many strengths and some areas for improvement. Future opportunities for attention include the following: More Effective Communications, Clarify and Strengthen the Value Proposition, Refine Educational Programs, Conduct additional standards and technical discussions. Contact me if you would like specific details.
The IARA is celebrating its tenth year anniversary this year and will be publishing a Special Edition periodical which will document our founding, history, and events. Production is being done by Bobit Business Media. It’s expected to be about 30 pages, not including advertising which will be available shortly to all IARA members.
Please contact me if you are interested in advertising. Printed copies will be issued in August at our Dallas Summer Roundtable. It will also be produced in a digital format which will be sent to a large database of companies in the remarketing industry.
Our Summer Roundtable celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the IARA will be held in Dallas this year at the Westin Galleria. Dates are August 16/17. Certification testing will be held on August 16th and 18th. A tour of the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium is planned as part of our events program. Mark your calendar now for this celebratory event.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Dallas and thanks again for your attendance and support at our Spring Roundtable at CAR. Best wishes for productive and successful sales this spring and summer.
Matthew Marks
Executive Director
International Automotive Remarketers Alliance