LAS VEGAS – The 14th Annual Conference of Automotive Remarketing (CAR) Conference, co-located with the International Automotive Remarketing Alliance (IARA) Winter Roundtable, had an attendance of 532 remarketers, which was comparable to last year’s conference attendance. More than 70 speakers or panel participants were represented at an array of more than 20 educational sessions.

“I really thought this year’s event was one of the best. People seemed to attend the meetings and participate. The content was good. It is the one conference event of the year that most people should attend,” said Bob Graham, director, vehicle remarketing, ARI (Automotive Resources International).

Mark Mathews, director, used vehicles activities for GM Fleet & Commercial Operations, was the keynote speaker on Feb. 25. His speech included an industry initiative to hold a follow-up consignor meeting in Detroit to discuss ways to develop common processes for the remarketing industry.

Bobit Business Media awarded the 2009 Remarketer of the Year award to Bob Rauschenberg, executive vice president sales and marketing for ADESA and the 2009 Consignor of the Year award to Steve Piccinati, senior vice president, remarketing executive for Bank of America.

“The 2009 CAR Conference was extremely relevant with the right panels and presenters with their discussion on today’s issues while addressing solutions for tomorrow’s business. It was well worth my time to attend,” said Ricky Beggs, vice president, managing editor, Black Book.

The IARA Winter Roundtable Conference took place on Feb. 24 and was co-located with CAR 2009. Kicking off the IARA Winter Roundtable was Ralph Fisco, national remarketing manager, Toyota Financial Services who keynoted: Target Marketing Wholesale Buyers & Maximizing Returns, which focused on how effective a structured target marketing program can be.

During an IARA Circle of Excellence luncheon, Dr. Ira Silver, economist for the National Auto Auction Association was the keynote speaker, discussed current economic trends and conditions of the remarketing industry. The IARA Circle of Excellence award was presented to Dave Power, founder of J.D. Power & Associates.

The IARA conference also presented a frame damage seminar moderated by Dave Sutton, general manager, auction sales & operations, VW Credit, Inc., and Matt Arias from Manheim Technical Center also participated in the session.

Another major highlight of the IARA Winter Roundtable was honoring the first graduates of the IARA Certified Automotive Remarketed (CAR) certification program. They include:

• Chris Wise, national remarketing manager at Charleston Auto Auction.

  
  

• Sal Terranova, national remarketing manager at Carolina Auto Auction.

  
  

• Dave Sutton, general manager, auction sales & operations, VW Credit, Inc.

  
  

• Ricky Beggs, vice president, managing editor, Black Book.

  For more information about CAR and IARA, please visit the following sites: www.CARconference.com and www.iaraonline.org.