The International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) Roundtable meeting, held at the Chicago Fairmont Hotel July 21-23, was attended by more than 95 remarketing professionals. The IARA presented its online remarketing education modules, which will be delivered through Northwood University’s online adult education program. The 12 modules are:

• Guidebooks.
  

• Transportation.
  

• Inspections.
  

• Reconditioning.
  

• Titling.
  

• Resale channels.
  

• Ethics.
  

• Remarketing terminology.
  

• Introduction to remarketing.
  

• Inspections.
  

• Market characteristics.
  

• Definition of a vehicle identification number (VIN).

  The Roundtable discussion topics included: “How to Maximize Portfolio Revenues,” led by Warren Byrd of ServNet and Chuck Nix of Grand Rapids Auto Auction; and “A Uniform Vehicle Grading Scale” presented by Dick Dennis and Joann Foster. A dealer panel composed of a cross section of area dealers on the topic of “Why I Buy Your Vehicles,” was moderated by Steve Houston of WFS Financial and Layne Weber of Donlen Corporation. David Walsh of Marketwise gave the luncheon address with a presentation on leadership. The meeting also included presenting the new slate of officers, effective January 2005 through 2007. The officers are: President – Steve Houston, WFS Financial; Vice President – Layne Weber, Donlen Corporation; Secretary – Mike Antich, Bobit Business Media; Treasurer – Jean Hitterdal Rosati, Dent Wizard. The next IARA meeting will be February 2005 in conjunction with the 2005 Conference of Automotive Remarketing (CAR) in Las Vegas.