Layne Weber and Steve Houston to Lead IARA Chicago-Area Dealer Panel Roundtable in Chicago

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.