2017 ICRS Educational Sessions
Chris Brown, executive editor of Auto Rental News, moderated the opening keynote panel on car rental and the future of mobility.
The opening keynote panelists included North Holbrook of Volvo Cars of North America; Mark Thomas of RideCell; and Dan Langford of the Nevada Center for Advanced Mobility.
Bill Marmion, principal and partner of Purdue Marion & Associates, presented during ACRA's general session.
During Wednesday's breakfast session, Marcus Bernhardt, chief commercial officer for Europcar Group, revealed Europcar's recent initiatives including carsharing, a ride-hailing service, and an all-electric car club.
Michael DeLorenzo, executive vice president of International Franchise Systems, received the inaugural Auto Rental News Impact Award.
During the closing keynote session, Mary Ann Sena-Edelen of MGM Resorts International shared tips from the hospitality industry that car rental companies can use in their operations.
Sharky Laguana, a board member for the American Car Rental Association (ACRA), presented the introduction during ACRA's general session.
Greg Scott, ACRA's lobbyist, discussed federal legislation updates. He mentioned that ACRA has developed a new mobility group.
During Monday's Latin American Meeting, Chris Brown moderated a panel that discussed mobility services including carsharing and ride-hailing. Panelists included (l to r) Javier Garcia of Mex Rent-A-Car, Chris Seymour of Carcloud, and Peter Soutter of Good Travel Software
Suresh Dakshina of Chargeback Gurus shared his insight on how to win chargebacks and reduce fraud.
Mary Jane Wells (right) moderated a panel that analyzed facets of the rental transaction and looked at data from J.D. Power. Rick Garlick of J.D. Power and Associates (left) and Lori Tennant made up the panel.
Sharon Faulkner, executive director of ACRA, shared some highlights about ACRA during the First Timers' Networking Orientation.
Jon Dill of International Franchise Systems presented Michael DeLorenzo with the Auto Rental News Impact Award.
Wednesday's roundtable discussions featured 10 discussion topics. Attendees rotated tables every 15 minutes.
This seminar discussed retail business opportunities such as car wash, car sales, quick lube, and parking. Jim Tennant of the Tennant Group moderated the seminar while Frank Lash of Alliant Car Wash Services (at podium) and Brad Meyer of JM&E-TCS Inc. (far left) were on the panel.
In a seminar, David Purinton presented simple laws that if followed will ensure a win/win negotiation.
Eddie Crespo of TSD Rental (at podium) led this panel discussion on $1 rates in Latin America.
Paulo Gaba of FENALOC Brazilian Car Rental Foundation presented the opening seminar at the Latin American Meeting. He gave an update on the Brazilian car rental market.
Attendees had a chance to ask questions at the end of each seminar.
Gordon Reel, ACRA's secretary, presented an update on state legislation pertaining to car rental.
During a concurrent session, Christy Morris of Rate Pros (center) moderated a panel on rate strategy and how to keep utililzation high. The panelists included Michael Meyer of Rate-Highway (left) and Richard Lowden of Green Motion (right).
David Purinton of Purco Fleet Services hosted the First Timers' Networking Orientation.
During the first timers' session, attendees had the opportunity to meet fellow attendees and network.
During Tuesday's Auto Dealer Day, Lori Tennant of MDL autoMation led a panel of franchised auto dealers. Panelists included (l to r) Chuck Myers of Anderson Automotive Group, Phil Spink of Tom Wood Rental, Kevin Peck of Jim Norton Toyota, and Patricia Dragon of Sedgwick Claims Management Services.
Attendees listen to a seminar during Auto Dealer Day.
The audience during a Latin American seminar
Mary Jane Wells of MJW Consulting moderated a panel on using customer data to drive bookings and increase ancillary sales. The panel consisted of Brad Fischer of Sojern, Nick DiPrima of TSD Rental, and Ray McDiarmid of Boxever.
In an Auto Dealer Day seminar, Angela Margolit and Rob Hano of Bluebird Auto Rental Systems addressed the benefits of doing retail rentals.
Ken Stellon of Frontline Performance Group presented during the seminar entitled "Using Data and Performance Metrics to Get Rental Agents to 'Give a Damn."'
Shawn Concannon of TSD offered tips on how auto dealers can capture and evaluate metrics to be more successful in loaner and rental programs.
During a concurrent seminar, Leslie Pujo of Plave Koch PLC discussed risks and legalities of new mobility models like TNCs and carsharing.
Wesley Hurst of Polsinelli also presented during the seminar on new mobility models and their risks and legalities.
Shantell Guerra of Bobit Business Media introduced several of the seminar speakers.
Chris Brown moderated several panels throughout the conference.
Steve Hanley of Hanley Law Group discussed how to mitigate risks with cash customers, proper verification of insurance coverage, and steps to take if your claim is denied.
This seminar covered the topic of damage expense recovery. Panelists included (l to r) Paula Marie Vercollone of Damage iD, Marcus Lindsay of Bay Area Car and Truck Rental, Ian Kusinitz of Empire Rent a Car, and Damon Haber of Record360.
The panel (Juan Carlos Morga of Mex Rent-A-Car; Alejandro Muniz of Economy Rent A Car; Karla Solis of America Car Rental; Carlos Vuillaume of Rentalcars.com) discussed ways to make changes in Latin America and how to promote greater transparency to clients.
Jim Tennant (at podium) and Andres Lezcano of Bluebird Auto Rental Systems presented the key performance indicators of four (anonymous) actual rental companies in Latin America.