HOUSTON — The National Alliance of Buy Here, Pay Here Dealers announced earlier this week that it will hold its second annual training conference covering Underwriting & Collections in Houston on Nov. 2 to 4.

More than 600 attendees are expected to attend the three-day event, which will focus on two important elements of buy-here, pay-here operations.

Ken Shilson, CPA and founder of NABD, indicated that an outstanding group of speakers, sponsors and operators has been assembled for the show. 

"Last year attendees and exhibitors really enjoyed participating in this event. This conference offers advanced training on underwriting and collections," Shilson explained. 

"The program features role playing and other interactive training techniques to help attendees become more successful. The sessions will cover the entire spectrum from taking an application to closing the deal to collecting payments legally and more efficiently. We have added several new speakers this year, including some of the nation's best operators. Attendees will learn from operators who are actually in the business and not just from consultants," he continued.

Compliance and skip tracing are topics which will also be included in the program.

"You can't afford to make legal or regulatory mistakes which can cost you millions of dollars. Knowledge of the laws and compliance is an important first step," Shilson said.

"This year we will have a more extensive session on regulatory and compliance matters featuring nationally recognized attorney Tom Hudson. In addition, we will have a bankruptcy expert explain how to navigate the new bankruptcy laws. These sessions will be interactive, so attendees can ask questions. Skip-tracing techniques are particularly important in the current economic environment where operators must fight for every consumer dollar," he added.

The general education sessions will feature a single track, and all presentations will include an operator's perspective. Workshops will include subjects such as payment devices, dealer management software, add-on products, reinsurance and raising capital.

The conference will be held at the newly renovated Wyndham Greenspoint Hotel in Houston, located near Bush Intercontinental Airport. NABD indicated that it has arranged some very favorable room rates and the Sunday through Tuesday format minimizes the time attendees must be away from their respective operations.

The program includes two receptions and a luncheon with exhibitors for networking. The sessions will conclude on Tuesday afternoon to facilitate return travel. 

"The Wyndham Greenspoint was the site of two previous conferences, and attendees were very pleased with the facilities and other amenities," Shilson stated. 

Basically, this conference is designed for those who are new to the business and those interested in improving their collection and underwriting systems and processes. 

"This training will make you more successful, no matter how much time or how little BHPH experience you have," Shilson stated. "The expertise of our speakers will benefit everyone."

Registration is available at www.bhphinfo.com, or by calling NABD headquarters at (713) 290-8171. Space is limited.