HOUSTON — The National Alliance of Buy Here, Pay Here Dealers' 11th annual national conference will kick off next month with a focus on "New BHPH Profit Opportunities In the Current Environment."

The educational program at NABD 2009 — scheduled for May 12-14 in Las Vegas — will offer considerations when entering the industry, strategies to improve cash flow and profits, where to find capital, how to locate the best customers, and avoiding legal and regulatory pitfalls.

"Given the difficult economic environment operators face today, this conference will focus on how to capitalize on profit opportunities from the growth in the subprime customer market," conference chairman Ken Shilson stated.

According to officials, the general education sessions include a single track with all vendor presentations moved to concurrent break-out sessions, so attendees can choose from topics in which they're most interested.

Included in the lineup for the general education sessions is a vast array of speakers and experts. One of the presentations offers a capital markets perspective and a panel to help operators find capital needed for growth.

Additionally, the education session offers attendees with the latest benchmarks, industry trend information, and an industry outlook perspective.

The interactive panels include tips for best operating practices, successful advertising strategies, and implementing payment devices successfully.

Also, the general session features a presentation on related finance companies, leasing and other tax-saving strategies. Attorneys will also be on hand to share their advice on how to avoid legal and regulatory pitfalls and attorney-general complaints.

Meanwhile, the concurrent workshops include discussions on Internet best practices, finding and reconditioning the right inventory, add-on products, the basic principles of the BHPH business, and ways to separate from the competition.

Additionally, they will feature a segment on maximizing recoveries, skip tracing and other practices to help minimize losses.

"Never underestimate the value of education," Shilson pointed out. "Operators need to understand the opportunities created by the current economic environment and all the ways they can capitalize on them."