More than 100 remarketers attended the three International Automotive Remarketing

Alliance (IARA) Roundtable sessions held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas

on Jan. 21, 2004.

One of the three sessions included a presentation of the results of the recent

remarketing survey completed by Emercent Solutions of Chicago on behalf of IARA.

The survey indicated that remarketers intend to greatly increase the use of

online auction services over the next two years. Richard Dennis, president of

RM Dennis & Associates, assisted Bob Gear of Emercent Solutions with the

presentation. The complete report will be available in four weeks free to IARA

members and for $100 to non-members. Copies of reports may be made at info@iaraonline.org.

Dave Alfonso (right), an IARA director and chair of the

Alliance’s Industry Recognition & Rewards committee, presents

Michael Richardson with the Circle of Excellence Award.

The Roundtable session on transportation issues with upstream selling was moderated

by Don Fowler of United Road and Steve Houston of WFS Financial. Roundtable

attendees reached a consensus that transporters must be given a detailed services

requirement if vehicles are to be picked up and delivered in a timely manner

from multiple locations in small volumes. Constant communication with the transporter

is essential.

The IARA's initiative to develop an online orientation course

for the remarketing industry is nearing completion according to Task Force Chairman

Scott Kolb of the Auction Broadcasting Company (ABC) and Layne Weber of Donlen

Corporation. Ten of the 12 modules making up the course are finished. The entire

course as well as individual modules are expected to be available through Northwood

University's online education website. Attendees agreed that the course is a

welcome addition for entry-level training in the remarketing industry.

From L to R: Dave Langley, IARA president; Janet Richardson;

Michael Richardson, Dave Alfonso, and Matt Mark, IARA executive director,

pose following Michael Richardson’s receipt of the IARA Circle of

Excellence Award.

In addition, the IARA presented its Circle of Excellence Award to Mike Richardson,

retired CEO and president of the former ADT Automotive auction chain, which

was broken up and sold to Manheim and ADESA in 2000. The IARA Circle of Excellence

Award is designed to recognize an industry leader who has made outstanding contributions

to the remarketing industry.

The next IARA Roundtable meeting will take place in Chicago on July 21-23, 2004.

Visit www.iaraonline.org for details.