Mergers, acquisitions, partnerships. . .these business arrangements are happening more often as the remarketing sector adjusts to an influx of external pressures and constant technological advances.

In just one example of the increasing consolidations of recent years, in 2011, the top 150 dealership groups owned 14% of the dealerships in the U.S.; by 2021 that grew to 23%.

At the Conference of Automotive Remarketing, that topic will be front and center on Wednesday, March 29 at 2 p.m. during a session titled, “How Auctions are Innovating & Adapting During a Time of Consolidation.” Moderated by Auction Edge CEO Dan Diedrich, this annual look at independent auctions features panelists Aaron McConkey, product director of Auction Edge; Sawyer Walker, executive director of national sales at America’s Auto Auction; and Tim Deberry, general manager of AutoNation Auction Orlando.

Diedrich said he and the panel will hit upon the following topics:

• Centralized buying centers for vehicle acquisition: “How do you think about merchandising inventory to audiences that are searching and buying at a national level?

• Consignment: When wholesale strategy moves from local decision makers to broader regional or national executives, how do auctions communicate their value proposition to increasingly centralized stakeholders?

• Consolidation: This is not just limited to dealerships. How are merged companies operating at a national level?

• AutoNation’s national rollout of stores: How do AutoNation franchised stores, USA stores, and auto auctions work together?

The Conference of Automotive Remarketing, held in partnership with the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance and the National Auto Auction Association, will take place March 28-30, and includes a full agenda and exhibit hall spanning consignment, auction operations, industry economics and politics, auto transport, electric vehicles, digital technology, automotive recon, professional training, and more.

Early registration discounts running through Feb. 23.