Some 800 attendees convened at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from April 7-8 for the 2014 Car Rental Show, a doubling of attendance since 2009. Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Some 800 attendees convened at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from April 7-8 for the 2014 Car Rental Show, a doubling of attendance since 2009. Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Designed as the global marketplace for the car rental industry, the 2014 Car Rental Show (CRS) drew some 800 attendees from North America and overseas.

International attendees represented 33 countries, including China, Korea, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, United Arab Emirates and countries across Europe.

Held in partnership with the American Car Rental Association (ACRA) at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas from April 7-8, this year’s conference — now in its 19th year — featured an expanded agenda and exhibit hall, year-over-year growth in attendance and a solid international presence.

“From the growth in exhibitors to the growth in registrations — both domestic and international — the Car Rental Show has cemented itself as the focal point for the car rental industry,” said Chris Brown, executive editor of Auto Rental News. “The health of the show speaks to the health of the industry.”

EHI’s Farrell: Mobile Technology Driving Change

Pat Farrell, the chief marketing and communications officer for Enterprise Holdings, gave the conference’s keynote address.

In “The Future of Auto Rental: From Global to Local,” Farrell noted that the car rental industry is experiencing major change from such factors as new technologies and evolving consumer preferences. He cited changes in customer preferences due to new digital and mobile technology as the largest driver of change — and opportunity — in the industry.

“Technology — from the Internet, to social media, to mobile platforms — has truly put the consumer in control,” he said. “The better we use these avenues, the stronger our customer loyalty and relationships will be.”

Farrell stressed the need for the industry to keep adapting and evolving:

“I can still remember when car rental was strictly an on-airport proposition. Today, the off-airport category is equally relevant. It began with insurance replacement. Then it evolved to consumer direct business and people renting cars in their hometown for day-to-day needs. And now it’s a multibillion dollar category. It’s all about meeting consumer mobility needs. Car sharing — or hourly car rental — is just another innovation in an innovative industry … and just one more way for us to serve our customers.”

Farrell also called attention to issues that threaten the industry’s future growth and viability. Farrell noted that every state now has some type of excise tax on car rentals, and that car renters have paid billions in car rental excise taxes at the state, county or municipal level.

“We object to the excessive and undue burden of excise taxes that single out our customers to carry a disproportionate share of the funding burden for local projects such as sports stadiums, arenas and art museums. Taxes should be fair and just and should not single out customers of just one industry,” he said.

Farrell concluded by summing up the opportunity ahead: “The car rental industry meets people’s very real, important and urgent needs. There is a true purpose and honor in what we do. Our world will continue to change. Innovation will drive growth, technology will drive growth and customer preferences will drive growth. Whether we — as individual companies or an industry — succeed or fail will come down to one simple thing: how we deal with each customer.”

In Tuesday morning’s breakfast keynote, Dr. Craig Manning, author and Olympic sports psychology consultant, recounted his experiences as a consultant to gold medal-winning teams at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Manning gave attendees a taste of his Fearless Mind methodology, designed around the psychological principles of the mind to help maximize human efficiencies.

“When we think the right way, research has shown that we are 2.91 times more efficient,” said Manning. “High productivity equals potential plus training, minus mental interference. The weakest can maximize their potential in a positive culture and environment.”

[PAGEBREAK]

Nevada Sen. Mark Hutchison joined Nevada Sen. Michael Roberson during the ACRA panel to discuss how an industry can affect change through its association and grassroots lobbying efforts. Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Nevada Sen. Mark Hutchison joined Nevada Sen. Michael Roberson during the ACRA panel to discuss how an industry can affect change through its association and grassroots lobbying efforts. Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

 

Senators Explain Effective Lobbying

The ACRA board of directors led its annual association update and seminar with a panel that included Sens. Mark Hutchison and Michael Roberson of the Nevada Senate.

The senators spoke about relationship building between an industry and legislators. “An association is an influence multiplier,” said Sen. Roberson. “The worst thing is to show up [at a legislative session] not having met the legislator. Relationships develop over time; this is what a trade association does.”

Roberson also explained the importance of lobbying. “If you don’t have someone who knows how to sit at the table and communicate, you’re in trouble,” he said.

Both senators provided tips on how to develop relationships with state legislators. “First and foremost, be honest,” Roberson said. “Don’t lie by omission. Acknowledge the other side, because we’ll hear from the other side. Issues are not black and white. Know your message; be direct and concise. Show that you care — be passionate. Do your homework on your topic and be courteous.”

“Tell lawmakers that you live in their districts. Remind them that you elect them,” Hutchison added.
During the panel, ACRA named Joe Knight of Fox Rent-A-Car its new president, replacing Bob Barton after his six-year term.

The ACRA board presented Bob Barton with a plaque honoring his service to the association and the industry. The plaque reads, “We are our own worst enemies when we choose not to work together on legislative and tax issues,” Barton’s mantra during his tenure as president.

Education Opportunities Abound

The conference festivities kicked off on Sunday night with an opening cocktail reception, now in its third year. On Monday morning, the second annual First-Timer’s Orientation featured a networking session with mentors and mentees.

Seminar topics included the annual interactive discussion by Leslie Pujo of LaPlaca Pujo, P.C. on rental vehicle law changes from the past year and best practices for rental car companies.

Concurrent sessions featured topics such as combating credit card fraud, a loss-of-use deep dive, utilizing the latest rental technology, harnessing big data and the impact of pricing, volume and performance on residual values.

New for 2014, the Car Rental Show featured 10 different interactive roundtable discussions. In 20-minute sessions, group facilitators covered topics such as customer service in the age of social media, best practices in car key management, tips for counter sales and implementing self-service car rentals.

Closing Panel Considers Prepay

The two-day show concluded with a special closing session on the issue of prepaid reservations. A panel of experts analyzed the topic from all sides, including operations, customer service, revenue management and IT as well as OTA and GDS connectivity.

In lieu of being able to guarantee a car rental reservation with a deposit — which appears unlikely to gain consensus and traction — a prepaid reservation is seen as the next best thing to better manage utilization and no-shows.

Panelist Dr. Stowe Shoemaker, a professor at UNLV’s Harrah College of Hotel Administration, stressed the importance of offering a discounted price to encourage rental customers to prepay for a vehicle.

Without a prepaid reservation, many consumers will continue to search for cheaper prices. “How can we get someone to commit ahead of time and not continue to look for other rental car options?” Shoemaker asked the audience.

Panelist Kevin Stutz of ACE Rent A Car reported transaction data that a discount as low as 5% was enough to get people to prepay the booking.

[PAGEBREAK]

Doris Cassan received this year's Russell Bruno Award for outstanding service to the auto rental industry. Cassan, a longtime Dollar Rent A Car licensee since 1968, has locations in Seattle and Portland. Photo credit: Amy Winter.

Doris Cassan received this year's Russell Bruno Award for outstanding service to the auto rental industry. Cassan, a longtime Dollar Rent A Car licensee since 1968, has locations in Seattle and Portland. Photo credit: Amy Winter.

 

Cassan Wins Russell Bruno Award

Doris Cassan received this year’s Russell Bruno Award for outstanding service to the auto rental industry. Cassan is owner of CMC Investments Inc., a Dollar Rent A Car licensee with locations in Seattle and Portland, including the Portland International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The award was presented during Tuesday’s closing seminar.

“I feel honored and blessed,” exclaimed Cassan, after being surprised with the award. “The car rental business has been exceptional to both my family and my business, my everyday family.”

Cassan and her husband James opened the first Dollar Rent A Car franchise outside of California in 1968. Cassan served as one of the original board members for ACTIF (Association for Car and Truck Rental Independents and Franchises), the predecessor to the current ACRA.

In addition, she was the first female to serve as the Car & Truck Renting and Leasing Association (CATRALA) president at a state level.

Recently, Cassan has been involved with legislative issues including Proposition 1 or the “Living Wage Measure” in SeaTac, Wash.

This initiative would increase the minimum wage to $15 for all transportation and hospitality employees in the city of SeaTac and at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Cassan, along with ACRA, opposed the initiative. “The government should not be getting involved in the day-to-day operations and employee standards of a private enterprise,” she said.

In 2011, Cassan was involved in opposing Senate Bill 5958, a proposal to extend some taxes on car rentals, hotels and restaurants to pay off Seattle’s Safeco Field. Cassan helped contact legislators to successfully defeat the bill.

“Doris Cassan represents what is the best in every car rental operator: devotion to excellent customer service, devotion to staff and devotion to the betterment of the industry by working with the American Car Rental Association to further develop our mission of championing the legislative matters that affect our industry,” said Sharon Faulkner, executive director of ACRA, who presented the award to Cassan.

Latin American Operators Meet

To address a growing portion of attendees from Central and South America and the Caribbean, CRS convened a meeting specifically designed to address the issues facing car rental in Latin America.

Some 28 operators from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, St. Lucia, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Aruba attended the meeting on Wednesday.

After breakfast, attendees participated in five seminars, presented in both English and Spanish. Topics ranged from the impact of technology in Latin America, how to prepare your books for investment, sales tactics and brand development and a new product showcase specific to Latin American operations.

Javier Garcia Gonzalez, business manager of Turismo Gargo, a Mexican-owned Fox Rent-A-Car affiliate, presented a seminar that shared specifics on how his company has grown rapidly in five years.

“The meeting was a success,” said Gonzalez, who also brought a team from his company. “I particularly liked the opportunity to interact with the presenters during the question and answers time. At the end, everyone had the opportunity to learn, and the subject matter experts from different countries shared their own experience and success stories.”

Eddie Crespo, strategic account manager for TSD, presented a seminar on how Latin American operators can leverage technology in their operations.

“The 2014 Latin American Meeting was truly a Pan American event,” said Crespo. “Companies of all shapes and sizes came away with a deeper understanding of the new technologies and services available today to help take their business to a new level. On a personal level, I was very proud to have been surrounded by so many dynamic entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean. It was truly a historic event.”

Martin Harris, business manager of the Hertz licensee in Argentina, commented on the Car Rental Show in general: “Personally, the Car Rental Show has been a very important event that has contacted me with leading companies and has taught me where the business is heading.”

[PAGEBREAK]See You Next Year

The 2015 Car Rental Show will be held April 12-14 at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.


Here are some other photos from the show. For more photos, visit the 2014 Car Rental Show photo galleries at http://www.autorentalnews.com/photogallery/list.aspx

Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Pat Farrell, chief marketing officer for Enterprise Holdings, delivered this year's opening keynote address. Farrell concentrated on how technology -- specifically mobile technology -- will shape the industry. "Innovation will drive growth, technology will drive growth and customer preferences will drive growth," Farrell said.

Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Joe Knight of Fox Rent-A-Car (standing, right) presents Bob Barton of Hertz a plaque commemorating his six years of service as president of ACRA. Knight officially succeeded Barton as president during the ACRA seminar.

Photo credit: Jin Seak-Kim.

Photo credit: Jin Seak-Kim.

A delegation of Korean car rental operators representing the Seoul Car Rental Association returned to CRS in greater numbers. CRS also welcomed a delegation of 27 car rental operators from China. Total attendance from outside the U.S. was 32% of total registrations this year.

Photo credit: Amy Winter.

Photo credit: Amy Winter.

During the second annual First-Timer's orientation, old-timers and newcomers exchanged business insights during a structured networking session.

Photo credit: Amy Winter.

Photo credit: Amy Winter.

The closing keynote seminar featured a blue-ribbon panel on prepaid reservations and the opportunity to better manage no-shows and utilization. Special guest Dr. Stowe Shoemaker of the Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV (far left) shared pricing strategies in the hotel and airline industries.

Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

Photo credit: Jann Hendry.

The exhibit hall featured 94 vendors, ranging from traditional auto rental products and services such as software systems, cleaning products and lending institutions to newer, outside-the-box solutions such as high-tech locksmiths, mobile ATMs, fuel reclamation services and car-sharing technology. 

Photo credit: Amy Winter.

Photo credit: Amy Winter.

The two-hour roundtable sessions on Monday morning featured 10 tables, with participants rotating through 10 discussion topics every 20 minutes. Topics included preparing better financial statements, best practices in damage charges, effective counter sales tips and implementing self-service car rentals.

About the author
Amy Hercher

Amy Hercher

Former Senior Editor

Amy is a former senior editor with Bobit Business Media's AutoGroup.

View Bio
0 Comments