LAS VEGAS – The 13th annual Conference of Automotive Remarketing (CAR) Conference, collocated with the International Automotive Remarketing Alliance (IARA) Winter Roundtable, featured 20 sessions, and had several exhibitors participate.

More than 60 speakers presented or participated in panels throughout the conference. A few common terms stringing all of the sessions together were cooperation, proactivity, coop-etition (meaning cooperating with your competition), and more industry standardization among condition reports.

Highlights of the conference included a presentation by Jim Hallett, president and CEO, ADESA, regarding online remarketing, its history, and its impact on the industry. John Stamm, VP, operations for the Asbury Group presented eye-opening information regarding dealers want from remarketers. Remarketing initiatives among institutional/fleet portfolio managers were discussed. Volkswagen AG shared current data regarding how it improved days to sale. Industry reports were provided by the IARA, National Auto Auction Association (NAAA), and the National Independent Auto Dealers Association (NIADA).Numerous panels of industry professionals also took place discussing industry trends, statistics, and potential improvements.

Held in conjunction with CAR, the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) staged its Winter Roundtable series. The IARA Roundtable opened with an inspiring keynote speech from Bruce Jenner, 1976 Decathlon Olympic Gold medal winner. Jenner spoke of his journey for the gold and of finding the “champion” within everyone. He provided insightful advice for attendees to take home to help them achieve their goals.

The IARA Circle of Excellence award was presented by Dave Alfonso, Kia Motors, to Ed Bobit, chairman, Bobit Business Media.

Mike Antich, editor & associate publisher, Automotive Fleet, presented the remarketer of the year award to Jim Hallett, ADESA.

Dave Sutton, general manager, auction sales & operations wins award for Cosignor of the Year, posed with Mike Antich, editor & associate publisher, Automotive Fleet.

Industry awards were presented for Remarketer of the Year to Jim Hallett, and Consignor of the Year to Dave Sutton, general manager, auction sales & operations, VW Credit. Hallett started his career in the retail automotive business where he quickly became the general manager of a new car franchise group in Canada. Sutton is currently responsible for auction logistics, sales, and technical operations for VW and Audi in North America.

Additional awards presented included:

The Donlen Corp. recently recognized its top auction partners at the Conference of Automotive Remarketing in Las Vegas. Taking honors as the Auction of the Year was ABC Detroit-Toledo.

ABC Detroit-Toledo also captured an award in the Best Expense Control category, according to officials.

Other auctions singled out for their "outstanding efforts" were:

• Manheim Milwaukee for Best Retention Dollars.
  

  
  

• Manheim Nashville for Best Days to Secure.
  

  
  

• Poplar Bluff (Mo.) Auto Auction for Best Days to Sell.
  

  
  

• Manheim Minnesota for Lowest Transport Cost.

  If you missed 2008, don’t worry. Plans for the 2009 conference, Feb. 25-26 at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas are already taking place.