MT. ARLINGTON, N.J. – The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance’s (IARA) Winter meeting held in Las Vegas Feb. 16 was attended by more than 160 remarketing professionals. The meeting was rated as a positive step in seeking ways to improve the remarketing industry. The IARA’s annual Circle of Excellence Award luncheon began with Mike Hockett, CEO, Auction Broadcasting Company, receiving the award for his contributions to the remarketing industry and for his selfless service to the community. Frank Hackett, the new executive director of the National Auto Auction Association was the luncheon’s keynote speaker. His topic was leadership in our everyday lives.

After the luncheon, attendees were divided into two Roundtable groups to discuss vehicle grading scales and benchmarking. The grading scale issue involved agreeing upton which type of grading scale would best serve the industry. The Roundtable was moderated by Dave Langley, manager, vehicle remarketing, for American Honda Finance.

The benchmarking roundtable session was moderated by Stuart Angert, Chairman, RSA. The discussion focused on what measurement points in the remarketing process should be used for benchmarking. It was agreed that measurement points would be helpful if carefully thought out and developed.

A panel discussion then followed the Roundtables with Scott Kolb, President of the SKI Group, moderating the topic of “Creating Partnerships.” Panelists included Nick Peluso, Manheim; Don Elliott, ADESA; Joe Pyle, Mountain States Auto Auction; Lynn Wolver, Bank One; Carl Scandura, Toyota Financial Services; Darrin Aiken, Wheels, Inc.

The IARA’s next Roundtable Series will be held July 27-29 at the Drivecenter in Atlanta.