On September 23, a group of 12 exotic auto rental agency owners and entrepreneurs gathered in Las Vegas and formed a new industry association, says Ron Sturgeon, newly-elected Chairman of the Exotic Auto Rental Association and owner of DFW ELITE Auto Rental.com.

Pooling marketing resources and expanding opportunities for one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. automotive rental business were on the minds of the businesspeople in attendance. As a result, the first order of business for the new association will be a web marketing initiative from the association's home on the web, www.ExoticAutoRentalAssoc.com/.

Sturgeon estimates there are only 40 true exotic auto rental agencies in the U.S., so the turnout for the inaugural meeting comprised about 25 percent of the industry.

At the meeting, founding members of the association created bylaws, a dues structure, elected officers and managers and specified standards for membership. In his role as chairman, Sturgeon outlined an agenda that focused on standardizing the quality of the exotic car rental experience.

John Killand, long-time owner of Rent A Vette in Las Vegas, was elected to serve as secretary for the group and Shane Atwood, owner of Precious Metals Cars in Savannah, Ga., will serve as manager. In addition, Fedor Suica from Showcase Exotic Rentals in Newport Beach, Calif., was elected Treasurer, and Moe Mustafa, owner of Chicago Exotic Car Rentals, was also elected manager.

For additional information, contact Ron Sturgeon at Rons@DFWEliteAutoRental.com, or visit the association's Web site, http://www.ExoticAutoRentalAssoc.com/.