Former President Paul Seger (L) immediately presented the 2020 IARA Circle of Excellence Award to Ben Lange, CEO and president of America’s Auto Auction and Auction Credit Businesses. Lange received the award on August 25, 2021 during the IARA Summer Roundtable as the award could not be presented in person last year due to the pandemic.
Photo: IARA
Just two years after its founding, the International Automotive Remarketing Alliance has established a quality tradition that has lasted for two decades.
IARA honored the first recipient of the Circle of Excellence Award, Jim Moran, in 2003. The award is presented to an individual who has clearly demonstrated outstanding contributions to the betterment of society and the marketing industry. again. With a double winner announced this year, the award marks the 20th recipient in 20 years.
The Co-chair of the Awards and Recognition Committee saw the value of the IARA awards from both sides. As the direct former President and current President of IARA, Paul Seger has presented numerous awards over the past few years, and was the recipient of the 2011 Remarketing Industry Recognition Award.
“It warms my heart as a person because it says a lot about what I am,” says Seger. “We are fortunate to realize that so many people do not get these opportunities in their lifetime. For us to be able to give back and acknowledge them and not forget where we come from feels good. “
Committee & Selection Process
The Recognition and Awards Committee was established in 2003. Dave Alfonso was the first to assume the position of chairman, a position he held for nearly a decade until his death. Most recently, the committee was co-chaired by Seger and retired by Mary Haller, leaving Seger as chair. He is looking for a co-host.
The committee asked the IARA executive committee and board of directors for its nominations before each of the two conferences and then discussed each nominee to create a final plan for the board members. and voting committee. “The best of the best are the ones who rise to the top as we go through the whole process,” says Seger.
Development Award Program
In addition to the coveted Circle of Excellence Award, the committee is also responsible for awarding the annual Remarketing Industry Recognition Award as well as the Ed Bobit Industry Icon Award.
The Remarketing Industry Recognition Awards honor an individual’s one-time outstanding contribution to the remarketing industry or to his or her community. The award recognizes notable contributions that are considered unusual in nature or worthy of special recognition. Individuals from all affiliated remarketing companies are eligible for this award. Awards may be presented at any periodically scheduled IARA meeting, but are usually presented at the IARA Summer Roundtable.
The Ed Bobit Industry Icon Award recognizes leaders who have positively shaped the industry.
The award is named after Ed Bobit, founder of Bobit Business Media, who launched Automotive Fleet magazine in 1961 and built the company into the industry’s largest fleet media publisher with over 20 branded magazine titles.
Complications of COVID-19
While various awards are traditionally given at spring and summer conferences, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 quickly canceled in-person events, including the convention. CAR 2020 conference as well as the 2020 Summer Roundtable, which was reprogrammed to be virtual that year. As such, Seger is privileged to present a total of five awards for 2021 and 2020 during the August Summer Roundtable in San Antonio.
Reward Program
Winning any award is an achievement, but the awards bestowed by IARA are coveted by many in the industry. Seger said the awards are a recognition and appreciation.
They capture not only what the recipient has achieved in the industry but also the charitable and benevolent contributions in their daily lives.
Examples of serving others from award winners include supporting the United Way and the Red Cross, raising funds to help with disaster recovery, and even purchasing an entire kitchen for moms. singles and women’s clubs. “Since much of the selection process is based on members who actually get out of there and return the favor, this is a recognition of their good deeds,” says Seger.
On the horizon
Currently, Seger said the committee is considering a proposal to the IARA board that two of the awards be combined into one award that embodies the essence of both the Remarketing Industry Recognition and the Circle of Excellence awards. .
In Seger’s opinion, this will increase the value of the prize for the recipient as only one winner will be noticed and thus create a bigger “wow” moment. ■
Note: This article appeared in IARA’s 20th Anniversary Issue published in November 2021.
Originally posted on Vehicle Remarketing
