agenda

Agenda

August 18, 2026 10:00 am to
11:00 am
Star Ballroom D1

The ARA EV Readiness committee is dedicated to advancing the industry through a consignor’s lens, sharing content, presenting subject matter experts and connecting with other important remarketing organizations. But what about the consignor’s customer, the dealer? In this session, real EV dealers will voice their thoughts and experiences, offering insights worthy of consideration as we create policies, imagine a path forward, and continue to educate consignors, auctions and remarketing partners.

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Jeremy Louisos
SVP/Co-Founder Preowned Auto Logistics

August 18, 2026 10:30 am to
12:00 pm
Star Ballroom D2

Open to all women attending the conference. You do not need to be a GROW member to attend. Whether you're interested in learning more about GROW, expanding your network, or connecting with other women in the industry, we encourage you to join us.

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Jane Morgan
Chief Client Officer Pyle Family Auctions

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Sheila Tedesco
Consultant South Bay Remarketing Services

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Shelly Frank
Consultant Chicagoland AA

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Jamye Carpenter
VP Industry Relations AFC

August 18, 2026 12:00 pm to
05:00 pm
STAR Foyer
August 18, 2026 01:00 pm to
02:00 pm
Five Points

ARA's Event Planning Committee meets in closed session to conduct committee business.

August 18, 2026 02:00 pm to
03:00 pm
Wynne C

This session focuses on emerging strategies, market trends, buyer engagement, and innovative solutions that are shaping the next generation of automotive remarketing across Canada. Attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and align on opportunities that drive growth and long-term success.

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Michael Will
Sr. Director, Commercial Customer Solutions OPENLANE Canada

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Lisa Prestidge
Senior Remarketing Manager - Canada Element Fleet Management

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Taylor Bursey
Director of Sales Copart Canada

August 18, 2026 03:00 pm to
04:30 pm
Star Ballroom D1

ARA's Board of Directors plus Committee chairs / co-chairs meet in closed session to conduct ARA business.

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Lauren Baker
Director of Growth and Operations Automotive Remarketing Alliance

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Mark Coleman
Executive Director Automotive Remarketing Alliance

August 18, 2026 03:00 pm to
05:00 pm
Star Ballroom 2

This dynamic open forum will deliver an interactive, forward-looking discussion on where the industry is headed—spanning AI-driven technology, data intelligence, and next-level operational efficiency.  Join peers and thought leaders as we examine and collaborate on how independent auto auctions can thrive over the next decade. This is more than a discussion—it’s a chance to help define the future.

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Dave Blake
Executive Director Independent Auction Group

August 18, 2026 05:00 pm to
06:30 pm
Wynne A&B

ARA's CAR Certification Reception is open to all attendees.  Come celebrate recent CAR Certification achievements complete with a special appearance by GROW!

August 19, 2026 08:00 am to
04:00 pm
STAR Foyer
August 19, 2026 08:00 am to
09:00 am
On Own
August 19, 2026 08:15 am to
08:45 am
STAR Foyer

Informal conversation & coffee with ARA leaders for first-time Summer Roundtable attendees.

August 19, 2026 09:00 am to
04:00 pm
STAR Ballroom Foyer

Stop by the Headshot Station between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to update your professional photo with a complimentary headshot, sponsored by IAG.

August 19, 2026 09:00 am to
09:15 am
STAR Ballroom

Emcee Joe Miller kicks off Summer Roundtable.

August 19, 2026 09:15 am to
10:15 am
STAR Ballroom

ARA welcomes OPENLANE CEO Peter Kelly for a keynote fireside chat.  Moderated by ARA Executive Director Mark Coleman, attendees will learn about Peter's journey in wholesale automotive and gain insights into AI tools, predictive pricing, market trends and recommendations for consignors.

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Mark Coleman
Executive Director Automotive Remarketing Alliance

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Peter Kelly
CEO OPENLANE

August 19, 2026 10:15 am to
10:30 am
STAR Foyer
August 19, 2026 10:30 am to
11:30 pm
Star Ballroom D2

ARA's Membership Committee celebrates 25 years as the voice of the consignor, complete with a short film and special guests.  The session is open to all attendees.

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Cynthia Meyer
VP of Business Development Auction Management Solutions

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Holly Vollant
Manager - North American Remarketing Holman

August 19, 2026 11:30 am to
12:15 pm
STAR Ballroom A&B

Don’t miss GROW’S  high-energy, interactive, laugh-out-loud panel, where different generations go head-to-head about our industry.

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Jane Morgan
Chief Client Officer Pyle Family Auctions

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Abbi Balk
Marketing/ Communications Manager Greater Rockford Auto Auction

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John Combs
Vice President of Commercial Solutions ADESA

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Emma Pye
Senior Manager of Customer Care NextGear Capital

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Dave Pratt
Vice President of Remarketing US & Canada Auto Financial Group (AFG)

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Houston Gordon
General Manager Greensboro Auto Auction

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Sheila Tedesco
Consultant South Bay Remarketing Services

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Tammy Swofford
Sr. Director-Commercial Solutions Auto Auction Holdings, LLC

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Josh Combs
Vice President of Sales Dealers Auto Auction

August 19, 2026 12:15 pm to
01:30 pm
On Own
August 19, 2026 02:00 pm to
03:00 pm
Star Ballroom D2

ARA's Industry Advancement Committee presents a white paper on effective selling of EVs, as well as the latest in AI deployment.  The session is open to all attendees.

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Michele Pierog
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Privacy4Cars

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Michael Wheatley
Director of Client Solutions Recurrent

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Andrew Kmita
Director of Sales, Remarketing RPM

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Jeremy Louisos
SVP/Co-Founder Preowned Auto Logistics

August 19, 2026 03:00 pm to
03:15 pm
STAR Foyer
August 19, 2026 03:15 pm to
04:00 pm
STAR Ballroom

When it comes to frame damage, diagnostic trouble codes, and vehicle condition reporting, where’s the line between what’s detectable, what’s disclosable, and what’s simply misunderstood? This eye-opening interactive session separates fact from fiction in today’s increasingly technical automotive marketplace.

Industry experts will break down common myths surrounding structural damage, and diagnostic scan results — while exploring how auctions, dealers, consignors, and buyers interpret vehicle data differently.

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Tom Stewart Moderator
President Auction Management Solutions

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Greg Lubrani
CEO & President CarDr.com

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Matt Arias
General Manager Mid Kansas Auto Auction

August 19, 2026 04:00 pm to
05:00 pm
STAR Ballroom

What makes a dealer raise their hand for one vehicle and pass on another? In this lively and candid panel discussion, top independent and franchise dealers pull back the curtain on how they buy used wholesale inventory from auctions, consignors, and dealer-to-dealer channels.

From reading condition reports and managing risk to spotting hidden gems and navigating shifting market trends, panelists will share the real-world strategies that drive their purchasing decisions every day.

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Jim Jackson
Remarketing Manager Holman

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Mark Jones

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Kent Montgomery

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Marshall Hampton
National Pre-Owned Director Berkshire Hathaway Automotive

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David Pickle
Owner Pickle Picks

August 19, 2026 05:30 pm to
07:30 pm
Sidecar Social

Join us for the ARA Summer Roundtable 25th Anniversary Celebration featuring music, games, and an evening of networking as we celebrate 25 years of connection, leadership, and industry impact.

As part of the celebration, GROW will host a live auction of two luxury trips in honor of ARA's 25th Anniversary. All proceeds will benefit the NAAA Mike Browning Auction Employee Relief Fund.

Don't miss this memorable evening of celebration, giving back, and fun.



Sponsored by:

August 20, 2026 08:00 am to
10:00 am
STAR Foyer
August 20, 2026 07:30 am to
09:00 am
STAR Ballroom C
August 20, 2026 08:30 am to
09:00 am
STAR Foyer

As ARA launches Hand Up cohort number three and expands the waitlist for cohort four, come join both early and late-career participants for coffee and conversation about career growth, latest industry trends and evolving industry roles.

August 20, 2026 09:00 am to
10:00 am
STAR Ballroom

Our panel of economic experts goes up against the Magic 8 Ball to predict economic trends in a dynamic global, national and industry environment. Attendess will leave the session with our panelists best insights into what's coming around the corner.

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Mark Strand
Sr. Director, Economic Industry Insights Cox Automotive, Inc.

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Tom Kontos
Analytics Advisor Auto Auction Holdings, LLC

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Daniel Ross
Director, Strategic Market Insights Canadian Black Book

August 20, 2026 10:00 am to
10:30 am
STAR Ballroom

Join us as we recognize ARA's PAL Leadership Award recipients, Impact Award honoree, Circle of Excellence honoree, and recent CAR Certification graduates. The session will also include recognition of honorees from IAG.

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Cynthia Meyer
VP of Business Development Auction Management Solutions

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Lauren Baker
Director of Growth and Operations Automotive Remarketing Alliance

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Mark Coleman
Executive Director Automotive Remarketing Alliance

August 20, 2026 10:30 am to
11:00 am
STAR Ballroom
August 20, 2026 11:00 am to
12:00 pm
Star Ballroom D2

ARA's CAR Certification Committee welcomes all attendees for a focused look at CAR Certification module #14-Arbitration, highlighting recent NAAA updates complete with informal (and fun!) quiz. All are welcome to test their knowledge against the experts.

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Penny Wanna
President Auction Academy

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Bryce Beckstrom
Director of Business Development/ Learning Solutions ConditionReports.com

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Mere Rangel
Assistant General Manager Big Valley Auto Auction

August 20, 2026 12:00 pm to
01:30 pm
STAR Ballroom C
August 20, 2026 01:30 pm to
02:15 pm
STAR Ballroom

The market's loudest EV claims go up on screen, and you vote fact or fiction in real time. Our panel then backs your call with data or tears it apart. Drop your own hot takes by QR code all week, and we'll pull them cold in a live lightning round. Data, fleet, and auction perspectives on stage.

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Tyler Nowicki
Manager, Fleet Lifecycle Inspiration Mobility Group

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Jimmy Douglas
CEO & Founder Plug

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Stephanie Valdez Streater
Director of Industry Insights Cox Automotive

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Michael Wheatley
Director of Client Solutions Recurrent

August 20, 2026 02:15 pm to
02:30 pm
STAR Foyer
August 20, 2026 02:30 pm to
03:15 pm
STAR Ballroom

A panel of industry leaders from major Associations and Alliances discuss what keeps their members up at night, and their organizations are anticipating and responding to member needs.  Attendees will leave with insights into the future direction of key market sectors.

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Joe Miller
Founder Awareness to Action Coaching

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Paul Lips
Executive Director NAAA

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Jeff Martin
Chief Executive Officer National Independent Automotive Dealers Association

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Mark Coleman
Executive Director Automotive Remarketing Alliance

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Dave Blake
Executive Director Independent Auction Group

August 20, 2026 03:15 pm to
03:30 pm
STAR Ballroom
August 20, 2026 03:30 pm to
04:30 pm
Star Ballroom D2

ARA's consignor members meet in closed session to discuss current challenges and opportunities, with breakouts for fleet, consumer finance, specialty and more.

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Mark Coleman
Executive Director Automotive Remarketing Alliance

August 20, 2026 05:00 pm to
06:30 pm
Ring Of Honor Room

ARA's President's Reception welcomes incoming ARA President Jackie Malik as former President Chris Clarke becomes Chairman of ARA's board of directors. All are welcome!

August 20, 2026 08:00 am to
12:00 pm
STAR Ballroom Foyer

Stop by the Headshot Station between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM to update your professional photo with a complimentary headshot, sponsored by IAG.