The 2017 Conference of Automotive Remarketing (CAR) was host to myriad panels, discussions, and keynotes that discussed the latest trends in the wholesale remarketing industry.

The conference, which took place March 1 - 2 at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas, was held in partnership with the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) and the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA).

CAR was highlighted by discussions addressing trends that may affect the future of the remarketing industry. This included a keynote address by Sandy Schwartz, president of Cox Automotive Inc., who shared his views on how increasing wholesale supply will affect the industry. Another highlight was a general discussion in regards to how changes in the U.S. economy will affect the remarketing industry, and a discussion on compliance mandates that was spearheaded by the IARA.  Other sessions touched on remarketing trends of major fleet management companies and how consignors are reassessing their remarketing strategies.

The opening day CAR keynote speaker was Frank Abagnale, CEO of Abagnale & Associates, who was sponsored by NAAA. Abagnale works in the FBI in regards to check fraud, embezzlement, and secure documents. His life was depicted most graphically in his best-selling book, Catch Me If You Can, which was also a film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio who played Abagnale.

Bob Rauschenberg, executive vice president, sales, marketing and special services, ADESA, also discussed the secrets to success  in the remarketing industry during a general session about how to succeed in the industry. Rauschenberg was the 2009 Remarketer of the Year, as well as winner of the 2016 Circle of Excellence award.

Also announced at the conference was Tim Meta, national remarketing manager at Fifth Third Bank, as the winner of the 2017 Consignor of the Year award. Meta is also the incoming president of the IARA. Meanwhile, the Nichols family of BSCAmerica were announced as 2017 Remarketers of the Year.

Tony Moorby, who served as the president and CEO of ADT Automotive (formerly known as Anglo American Auto Auctions) from 1982 to 2000, was honored with the IARA 2017 Circle of Excellence Award; retiring General Motors Remarketing Manager Dan Kennedy, was awarded the Industry Leadership Award by Bobit Business Media; and Mike Hockett, CEO of Auction Broadcasting Company, was awarded the Ed Bobit Icon award, a joint award given by NAAA and IARA.

Preceding the start of CAR was the 2017 IARA Spring Roundtable, which featured  discussions about disruptors in the remarketing industry, as well as best practices in vehicle portfolio evaluation.

The IARA keynote speaker was Patti Wood, president of Communication Dynamics, Inc., who discussed body language and how it relates to making first impressions.

CAR 2017 also featured an exhibit hall that featured booths from partners and sponsors of CAR, where they were able to present and discuss their goods and services. ServNet and IAG also hosted an evening event on March 1 at the Beer Park at Paris Las Vegas where attendees were able to further reconnect and network with industry peers.