F&I Conference and Expo Announces Agents-only Symposium

The 7^th Annual F&I Conference and Expo has added a symposium exclusively for automotive general agents. The event will take place prior to the opening of F&I and Showroom magazine’s 7^th Annual F&I Conference and Expo on Monday, Sept. 13 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

Understanding that general agents are a critical extension of most technology and product providers - acting as both sales representatives and dealer consultants - organizers of the F&I Conference and Expo have created a day-long event focused solely on this underserved segment of the industry. The goal is to provide agents with the latest training techniques, and educate them on the latest trends and challenges to help them better serve their dealer customers.

Designed for automotive general agents, the event, hosted by Master of Ceremony Michael Southerland, vice president of new business development for ProCon Protect & Connect, will kick off with a special state-of-the-industry address from Joe Becker, president and CEO of CNA National Warranty. He will be followed by celebrated trainer, Ron Reahard, who will present, "13.3 Ways to Help Dealers Sell More Products." 

"The focus of every independent agent must be on helping their dealers improve F&I performance and profits, not on getting that dealership to sell more of their products," said Reahard, president of Reahard and Associates. "To be successful, agents must be perceived by dealers as their partner with the resources, expertise and commitment necessary to help them take their F&I department's performance and profits to the next level." 

Also on the agenda this year is Ron Martin, trainer, author and president of The Vision of F&I Inc. His workshop, "How Can an Agent Use Technology to Position Them as the Preferred Agency in Their Marketplace?" will provide techniques on how agencies can brand and position their sales strategies. Martin will also delve into how sales technology tools can move more units, increase F&I products sales and deliver analytics to drive better business decisions.

This first-of-its-kind event will feature a special lunchtime address by renowned trainer Paul Webb. He will present, "Advanced Business Communications – The ABC’s of Building Trust." Webb's keynote presentation will be followed by two unique panel sessions. 

Steve Amos, president of GSFS Group; Rick Kurtz, vice president, dealer sales for Protective;  Alan Miller, senior vice president of sales at CNA National Warranty Corp.; Patrick Donahue,  executive vice president - agent distribution with The Warranty Group and James Smith, CEO of SouthwestRe Corp., will staff the panel for "Best Reinsurance Solutions." Martin, serving as the panel moderator, will lead these experts in a spirited debate on the advantages and disadvantages of NCFCs, CFCs, self-funded and dealer retro reinsurance programs. 

The second panel session, titled "Industry Innovations," will be moderated by ProCon’s Southerland. He will lead Glenn Nielson, vice president & national sales manager for Innovative Aftermarket Systems; Ken Tomaro, president of OptionSoft Technologies Inc.; John Leaver, general manager for MobiDrives and Tom Cullen, president of Repair Assurance, through a discussion of the industry’s newest marketing tools and F&I products.

The exclusive Agent Symposium wraps up with a networking reception, where attendees can unwind and exchange ideas as they enjoy a hosted bar and browse select vendor exhibits.

Agents already signed up for the F&I Conference can register for this event for a fee of $99. Those who wish to attend the Agent Symposium alone can do so for $249.

To register for or find additional information about the F&I Conference and Expo, visit www.FI-Conference.com or call (800) 576-8788.

For exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, please contact David Gesualdo at (727) 947-4027 or [email protected].