Some dealerships need help with their inventory management, others with marketing, or maybe it is the finance department that needs an upgrade. With so many topics to cover, this years convention is divided into three tracks to help you discover the seminars you will find most useful.

Charles Vogelheim, vice president of automotive development at J.D. Power Associates, will be the keynote speaker addressing the importance of customer satisfaction in todays changing marketplace. With his 20 years of experience in the auto industry, Vogelheim will provide practical information to help you provide customer service that is not only excellent but also quantifiable.

Keith Whann, NIADA General Counsel, will be on hand to discuss legal issues pertaining to the auto industry. D. J. Harrington, CSP and CEO of Phone Logic Inc., will speak about the importance of a business plan. The Internet can be a difficult maze for dealers to find their way through. Howard Polirer, of AutoTrader.com will help identify Internet best practices.

Kevin Cunningham of NCM Associates will demystify lead management- and Jay Rose of Linnehans Auto Group and USA Computer Systems, will cover how to effectively advertise and merchandise your inventory. Ray Lyle, CMD and president of Nice Cars, Inc., will address building a bond with your customers and D. J. Harrington will bring it all together with a seminar on how to put everything you have learned into practice at your dealership.

There will be several speakers to cover vehicle marketing. Jay Rose will begin with the importance of merchandising, followed by Dennis Galbraith, of Cars.com who will cover how to merchandise on the Internet. In order to make use of advertising and the Internet dealers need to have the right inventory so Joe Lescota from Northwood University will show you how to analyze your market and find the most profitable mix of vehicles. All of the marketing and inventory in the world wont help if your customers cannot be financed. David Huber, of Finance Express will speak about finding the best lending sources for your dealership. With default rates on the rise, how to qualify buyers for the right car and how to maintain an inventory of those vehicles is an important issue as well. Ken Shilson, CPA and founder of NABD, will be there to give you the benefit of his experience.

Regardless of the type of dealership, it is important to remain up to date with current tax regulations. Terri Harris, a motor vehicle technical advisor with the IRS, will speak on a range of topics as well as leaving time for specific questions.

No matter what your goals are for your dealership, there will be someone on hand at this years convention to help you achieve them. To learn more about the convention, please visit www.niada.com. There you will find information about the speakers and the seminars, as well as the amenities and entertainment available for you to enjoy. See you at the convention!