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

On Friday, July 23 at 8:15 a.m., Allen Pankopf, associate professor, Northwood University in Midland, Mich., will lead the IARA Online Remarketing Module Curriculum Roundtable event that will consist of a 30-45-minute Q&A session. According to Matt Marks, IARA executive director, the modules are designed to be an educational tool for entry-level remarketing professionals. After students complete the online remarketing orientation course – offered through a partnership with Northwood University – they are issued certificates of completion by the university. Participants at last year’s Roundtable requested the creation of the online remarketing orientation curriculum.

IARA officials have determined 12 entry-level remarketing topics for discussion at Friday’s roundtable. The modules are available for students to register and complete online 24/7; students do not have to complete all 12 modules. Module curriculum will include:

• Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN): how each digit has a standard meaning and reference.

  
  

  
  

• Guidebooks: purpose, what they cover, and how the information is used.

  
  

  
  

• Transportation: what is involved in picking up a vehicle and transporting it to its destination.

  
  

  
  

• Inspections: why they are necessary and who uses them.

  
  

  
  

• Reconditioning: what is the process, nature and extent, and cost.

  
  

  
  

• Titling: what is the definition and significance.

  
  

  
  

• Upstream technology: what kind of technology is used to remarket upstream.

  
  

  
  

• Auction process: what happens when a vehicle is assigned, what is involved in an auction.

  
  

  
  

• Resale channels: what opportunities are available for the remarketer to dispose of vehicles.

  
  

  
  

• Ethics: what are standard characteristics of business behavior and code of conduct.

  
  

  
  

• Remarketing characteristics: learn how market conditions affect vehicle price.

  
  

  
  

• Remarketing terminology.

  
  

  Attendance for the IARA Roundtable Series is recommended to auction managers, banks, fleet lease managers, leasing companies, manufacturing organizations, remarketing service providers, remarketing technology providers, rental-car companies, vehicle inspection companies, vehicle value organizations, and used-car sales managers.

  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.

  Noon: Luncheon

  Speaker: David Walsh, Marketwise

  
  

  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 rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. For more information or to register, call IARA at (800) 441-1414 or (312) 565-6698, or visit www.iaraonline.org.