It’s easy to get caught on the treadmill of running a car rental business. If you’re not busy making sure cars are washed and on the ready line, you’re juggling reservations, dealing with angry customers and wondering how you can possibly beat your competitor’s rates. Do you feel that so much of your daily work life is reacting to problems and putting out fires?

Thinking big picture is not part of this routine. Yet successful businesses make time to step away from the day-to-day to create ways to maintain that competitive edge and take the business to the next level.

You know where I’m going with this—and where you should go too. Come join us in Las Vegas at the 2008 Car Rental Show March 31–April 1 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Presented in conjunction with the American Car Rental Association (ACRA), the Car Rental Show is an opportunity to focus on your company’s big picture with two days of education, entertainment and networking.

The keynote speakers will address the latest issues impacting the entire automotive rental market, while the seminars and workshops will give you tips and techniques to tackle the tough day-to-day problems head on. [PAGEBREAK] Keynotes Provide the 10,000-Foot View Bill Connors: Current Trends in Business Travel

Even if you’re not familiar with Bill Connors, you may have already reaped the benefit of his work. Connors champions travel industry considerations in legislation and regulation as executive director and COO of the National Business Travel Association (NBTA).

As the recognized voice of corporate travel in Washington, NBTA is the leading source for networking, advocacy, education, news and information resources for corporate and government travel professionals.

NBTA is also a leader in the fight to oppose unfair excise taxes and fees in the auto rental, hotel and airline industries. Connors testified in front of the Florida State Legislature in opposition to a proposed car rental tax increase that was later defeated.

Connors will cover the most important trends in one of the auto rental industry’s key markets—business travel. Attendees will find out what these important customers are thinking and doing with their travel budgets in response to the changes taking place in today’s business travel market. They will also learn more about the impact of car rental taxes on their corporate customers’ bottom lines, and what the industry is doing to face that challenge.

Tom Kontos: How Program Cars Can Become Risk Cars

As vice president, Industry Relations & Analytical Services with ADESA Inc. Tom Kontos is a major player in the $83 billion vehicle remarketing industry.

With more than 20 years of experience in market research and analysis, Kontos regularly interfaces with members of the media, Wall Street and automotive analysts to provide information and insight into vehicle remarketing economic trends.

In his keynote address, Kontos will draw on used vehicle price data and market conditions, dealer surveys, annual market reports and other strategic studies to present an outlook for 2008, with particular emphasis on the impact of the shift in rental cars from program to risk. [PAGEBREAK] Sandy Miller: Staying Independent in an Era of Consolidation

Sandy Miller’s name is ubiquitous in the world of car rental.

During the 1980s and early 90s, Miller grew his Budget Rent a Car business into the largest Budget franchise operation in the U.S. Miller’s Team Rental Group Inc. successfully went public in 1994. In 1997 the company acquired Budget Rent a Car Corporation, the parent to Budget Rent a Car & Truck Corporation Worldwide. Miller served as director, CEO and chairman of Budget Group Inc. until the company was sold to Cendant Corporation in 2002.

Today Miller is co-chairman and co-CEO of Franchise Services North America, a publicly traded company on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada. Through its two operating subsidiaries, U-Save Auto Rental of America, Inc. and Practicar Systems Inc., the company grants franchises under the U-Save Brand worldwide and the Rent-A-Wreck brand in Canada.

U-Save, with its subsidiary ARRC (Auto Rental Resource Center), has more than 1,117 locations throughout the United States and is one of North America’s largest franchise car rental companies.

Having directed the inner workings of car rental from both the corporate and franchise sides, few are better qualified than Miller to talk about surviving as an independent in this era of consolidation.

Seminars–Ideas for Change

If you’re coming to the Car Rental Show with questions, the seminars, workshops and panel discussions will have answers.

Are you looking for capital to grow your fleet? A roundtable of representatives from the industry’s major funding sources will show you how to navigate the fleet financing maze in the Financing Options workshop.

Need ideas on how to increase RPU? Roger Bernskoetter of Kline Corporation returns to the show with his new seminar, “Fleet Management – Don’t Forget the Lyrics.” Those familiar with his presentations know Bernskoetter will deliver an engaging and upbeat workshop and offer tools to help you “know what to do AFTER repurchase.”

Confused about how to harness the latest in high-tech? Our Technology workshop panel will present the latest in products and systems, including a new service that offers language translation that can help you increase revenue at the same time.

Are you concerned that you’re leaving money on the table after an accident? Michael Towers and Michael La Placa will show you how to maximize damage recoveries lawfully.

Other workshops will cover new opportunities at regional airports, effective recruitment strategies, Internet marketing tips and a risk management approach to customer service.

Come join us in Las Vegas to expand your business horizons. As you fly into the desert take in the view from 10,000 feet. When you’re on the ground at the Car Rental Show you’ll be able to do the same for your business.