LAS VEGAS — With the largest contingent of exhibitors ever
welcoming more attending dealers than the previous year, the National Alliance
of Buy-Here, Pay-Here Dealers attempted to give all operators plenty of
takeaways either to establish or improve their dealerships.

NABD founder Ken Shilson elaborated about what organizers
tried to accomplish during the Dealer Academy and National Conference, which
took place during the week prior to Memorial Day weekend at the Wynn in Las
Vegas.

"The three things we tried to emphasize were compliance,
technology and working smarter, not harder," Shilson said. "We've got to get on
top of our game here. The margin for error is not there anymore. We really need
people to focus on not doing the same things but reading the changes that are
taking place and approaching it differently."

Attendees ranged from professionals from other sectors of
the finance world coming to the 15th annual conference on fact-finding missions
to franchised dealer principals looking for BHPH strategies to compliment their
new-vehicle operations.

"We've got to give them takeaways. There's so much
information being given here and it's our job to put it all together," Shilson
said.

"People are realizing that this is a great part of the
automotive industry and it can be very profitable if you do it right," he went
on to say. "Yes, we've got some challenges, but anything that's worth doing is
going to have some challenges."

From the event's git-go, attendees filled notebooks with
best-practice advice and peppered panel participants with questions ranging
from how to establish a compliance officer, how to find start-up capital to how
to handle contacting delinquent accounts in age where cell phones dominate the
communication landscape.

And the lineup of content generated some rave reviews. Here
is a sampling:

"With no hesitation or mental reservation, I would state you
put on one of the most well-organized meetings I have ever attended."

—Ron Brown, CSI Group, Oklahoma City

"We obtained three of the best referrals I've ever
considered for funding. Without this conference, I don't know that we would
have been successful in finding funding options. Great show and I look forward
to learning more."

—Sean Cox, U-Save Car and Truck Rental, Colorado Springs,
Colo.

"Ken and Ingram did a phenomenal job with the programs."

—Beth, Clay's Auto Sales, Hillsboro, Ore.

"Just wanted to send you a note about how much I enjoyed the
NABD conference. It not only reminded me of the basics in this business but
showed me some new and ever-changing things to look out for. I have never been
disappointed in anything you had a hand in. Thanks again."

—Lisa Bundy, CarGirl, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.

"Once again you topped yourself as the NABD week in Vegas
exceeded all our expectations. Of our company's 18-year history, we have never
seen so much traffic at our booth. The educational sessions were top notch and
really on-point with today's topics. Your dealers are open to learn and willing
to make decisions about their business."

—Bill Neylan, Tax Max, Tampa, Fla.

"First-time attendee. A longtime finance captive guy who
runs a large RFC now. I found it very informative and plan to be back."

—John Palas, DARCARS, Washington, D.C.

"I enjoyed the Academy and plan to have others attend next
year. Thought it was well organized and very much appreciated the time &
effort in organizing the event."

—Francis Kibler, Sunshine Motors, York, Pa.

"I should have attended training when I opened my
operations. I now have some of the information necessary to improve my
customers' experience with our company as well as our own bottom line. Thank
you so much for this Academy."

—Dave Bearley, Dave's Greenlight Auto Sales, Greenville,
Ill.

Shilson pointed out that anyone who might have missed either
the NABD Dealer Academy or National Conference can still obtain all of the
value recommendations for their stores. Recordings of panel sessions and other
material can be purchased from NABD by going to its website at bhphinfo.com.

Nick Zulovich can be reached at nzulovich@subprimenews.com. Continue the conversation with SubPrime Auto Finance News on LinkedIn and Twitter.