NAAA Goes Solo with Annual Convention in Fall 2019
Association Restores the Tradition of Holding Its Own Meeting at Membership’s Request

FREDERICK, Md.—The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) announced today the organization would return to the tradition of holding its own yearly meeting beginning with the 71st Annual Convention at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana, Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, 2019.

In response to requests from its membership, NAAA’s Executive Committee made the decision to end the affiliation the association has had since 2016 with Cherokee Media Group’s (CMG) National Remarketing Conference held during Used Car Week.

Founded in 1948, the National Auto Auction Association is a private, nonprofit trade association representing a membership of about 350 wholesale auto auctions and 134 associate members from a wide range of industry related fields.

“Our members spoke, and we listened,” said NAAA President Chad Bailey. “The consensus was that having our own convention gives us greater freedom, flexibility and focus to perform the business of the association and meet the specific needs of our membership. Resuming our autonomous annual meeting will allow us to concentrate on NAAA’s priorities with more targeted content on issues relevant to the auto auction business and the work NAAA conducts all year long in such areas as standards, safety, advocacy and the future of wholesale auto auctions.”

He added that with the change the association could be more accommodating to scheduling dates, times and on-site meeting space as well as have the ability to bring the convention to a variety of venues more centrally located for the convenience of all NAAA members.

“We appreciate the dedication and hard work Cherokee Media Group has devoted to professionally producing our shared meeting in the past three years,” Bailey said. “On behalf of NAAA, I want to thank them for their partnership and encourage our members to continue supporting and attending their events. As part of that effort, NAAA has pledged to continue as a sponsor and industry partner with the National Remarketing Conference, joining with the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance, National Independent Automobile Dealers Association, National Auto Finance Association, and the American Recovery Association in support of Used Car Week.”

CMG President Bill Zadeits said, “We will continue to strongly support the NAAA and its meetings to accomplish the important work of the industry and for the good of the entire auto remarketing community. As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the National Remarketing Conference this year, we look forward to having NAAA continue as one of our industry partners as we gather the auto remarketing and used car industries together again during Used Car Week.”

In addition to returning to its solo roots, the 2019 NAAA Annual Convention revisits the site of a successful meeting in 2013, Bailey noted. “We’re very excited to be back in Indianapolis. With an automotive heritage and motor sports fame more than a century old, the city provides the perfect backdrop for our seventy-first gathering. I will be personally reaching out to all of our auction members, consignors, and vendors to share this great news as well as get their commitment for the fall convention.”

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