The 2021 International Car Rental Show, taking place Aug. 15-17 at Caesars Las Vegas, announces the complete agenda, including the Tuesday morning and closing keynote seminars.

Moderated by Chris Brown, executive editor of Auto Rental News and conference chair, the panel will consist of Chris Haffenreffer, assistant vice president, Innovation at Enterprise Holdings; José Blanco, group chief sales officer of Europcar Mobility Group; Arun Kumar, managing director at AlixPartners; and Matthew Daus, partner at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf.

This panel of EV experts will outline the near future of the EV market. The discussion will range from planned models and charging infrastructure insights to car rental-specific issues such as residual value trends, logistics of renting EVs, fleet planning, data requirements, and renter education.

“Electric vehicles comprise only about 2% of new vehicle sales today, yet as many as 50 new electric models are planned within five years,” said Chris Brown, executive editor of Auto Rental News and conference chair. “The time is now to start discussing the opportunities — and challenges — for car rental.”

On Tuesday morning, representatives from Expedia Group Media Solutions, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), and RateGain present “Understanding Data and Trends to Engage the Post-Covid Car Renter.”

Panelists will present custom research spotlighting key insights into how traveler behaviors and preferences have evolved since the onset from the pandemic, including how they engage with and what they expect from travel brands. Attendees will understand trends across key markets and walk away with actionable insights on how best to reconnect and engage with those travelers.

Pressing Issues

The educational content for this year’s event will address the pressing issues facing the car rental industry today. Seminars will cover fleet planning, sourcing rental cars in short-supply times, preventing theft and fraud, pricing and revenue management, understanding the new legal and legislative landscapes, enhancing the customer experience, and assimilating new efficiencies in the car rental process.

For an “Independent’s Roundtable,” representatives from four independent car rental companies will take the stage to share their unique challenges in surviving the pandemic and their outlook for independents in the new environment. Moderated by Sharky Laguana, ACRA president and owner of Bandago Van Rental, the panel is comprised of Brett Lippel of Midway Car Rental, Dan Miller of Advantage Rent a Car, Mike DeLorenzo of Nextcar, and Richard Lowden of Green Motion.

In “Making a Difference: How to communicate car rental's message to your local and state politicians,” David Purinton of PurCo Fleet Services will use his years of statehouse experiences to present a blueprint for effective communication in the political arena. Purinton will be joined by a special guest or two who will share perspective from the legislator’s side.

“The industry is roaring back, but in a new landscape. If ever there was a need to get together to share resources, assimilate the changes, and prepare for the future, that time is now,” said Brown. “See you in Las Vegas!”

Presented in conjunction with the American Car Rental Association, the 2021 International Car Rental Show convenes in person with a hybrid virtual component. Registration is open now.