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 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.
  12 a.m.: Luncheon
  Speaker: Remarketing Industry Spokesman

  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. Presenter: David Walsh, Marketwise.
  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.