SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Professionals attending the upcoming F&I Conference and Expo will have the opportunity to qualify for CSI Certification thanks to a workshop provided by the Automotive Dealership Institute.

The two-hour workshop is free for pre-registered attendees and includes interactive training, an exam and an engraved certificate presented in a "beautifully designed" hardcover presentation case upon successful completion.

Take-away skills of the workshop include:

—A comprehensive understanding of how to earn high CSI scores.

—How and when to present the CSI survey.

—How to use CSI surveys to improve the dealership's products and services.

—How to use CSI surveys as market predictor models.

—Ideas to improve and maintain the full range of CSI metrics.

—Ways to increase product and dealer loyalty.

According to officials, the certification workshop will be taught by ADI Professor Wayne Mehrtens. He will train attendees in process design and implementation, as well demonstrate value in the opinions of dealership customers.

At ADI, Mehrtens is responsible for teaching various CSI, ethics and compliance programs. He began his automotive career in 1982 as an F&I manager in San Antonio, Texas. Four years later, he became a general manager of United Auto Group, which is known for maintaining some of the highest CSI scores in the country, executives pointed out.

He also has extensive experience with BMW North America. Mehrtens is a graduate of the Skip Barber High Performance Driving School, Ryan Finance and Insurance School, BMW Sales Management School, and the M.A.P. Management program.

The institute noted that Mehrtens helped author ADI's CSI Certification Program. The certification is offered for free with pre-registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Participants will receive their certificates at the end of the session upon passing the certification exam, which will be administered on site.

The workshop will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sept. 18. The F&I Conference runs from Sept. 17 through 20 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.

For more information about the certification program, the conference agenda or to register, visit www.fi-conference.com.

The Automotive Dealership Institute is a Scottsdale-based automotive management school that specializes in educating the next generation of F&I managers and service advisers.

ADI is licensed by the State of Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education and approved by the Arizona Department of Education. For more information, call (877) 998-7200, or visit autodealerinstitute.com.