The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) announced that the next IARA Roundtable event, designed to address the needs and priorities of vehicle remarketers, will be held July 21-23 at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Chicago.

On Friday, July 23 at 10 AM, Layne Weber of Donlen Corp. and Steve Houston of WFS Financial will lead the Chicago-Area Dealer Panel Roundtable discussion featuring four Chicago-area auto dealers who will discuss the buying criteria they use to purchase vehicles. The dealers will cover issues including what they look for in a vehicle and how to distinguish between two identical vehicles, as well as offer advice for remarketers on what level of reconditioning is necessary to make a vehicle look more attractive.

Events Schedule

Fairmont Hotel

Wed. July 21

3 p.m.: Board of Director's Meeting

5-7 p.m.: Reception

Thurs. July 22

7 a.m.: Continental Breakfast

8:15 a.m.: Annual Meeting

9:45 a.m.: Presentation of IARA Online Remarketing Modules.

12 a.m.: Luncheon

Speaker: David Walsh, Martketwise

IARA Achievement Award

1:45 p.m.: Roundtable sessions commence.

1. Endorsing an Industry Standard Vehicle Grading Scale. Moderator: Dick Dennis.

2. Managing Revenue Opportunities Within Your Lease Portfolio. Presenters: Chuck Nix and Warren Byrd.

6 p.m.: Evening Dinner Cruise (optional)

Fri. July 23

7 a.m.: Continental Breakfast

8:15 a.m.: IARA Online Remarketing Module Curriculum.

Allen Pankopf, associate professor, Northwood University.

10 a.m.: Chicago-Area Dealer Panel Discussion: Why I Buy Your Cars. Moderators: Layne Weber, Donlen, and Stephen Houston, WFS Financial.

11:30 a.m.: Closing Remarks

Conference rates are $195 for members and $345 for nonmembers. Hotel rates are $189 per night. Rates are valid until June 21, 2004; thereafter, rooms are available on a first come, first served basis at a higher rate. For more information or to register, call IARA at (800) 441-1414 or (312) 565-6698, or visit www.iaraonline.org.