LAS VEGAS — Organizers of next week’s second annual Agent Summit built the event’s agenda with an eye toward training. But the program also includes panels designed to open a dialogue regarding two key issues: the role of agents in dealerships and the role technology plays in the F&I office. 

The first, “5 Ways to Take Your Agency From Provider Rep to Partner,” will commence at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13. Reahard & Associates’ Rick McCormick will moderate the panel, which will include David Duncan of Safe-Guard Products International, Protective Asset Protection Division’s Rick Kurtz, RoadVantage’s Garret Lacour, John Luckett of Resource Dealer Group and Interstate National Corp.’s Ricky Wolfe. The group will debate and discuss the evolving role that agents and agencies play in today’s dealerships, including business planning, ongoing training and more. 

On Wednesday at 10 a.m., F&I Administration Solutions’ David Trinder will lead “Technology: Capturing the F&I Transaction Electronically,” a panel that includes Ristken Software Services’ Patrick DeMarco, Ron Greer of Open Dealer Exchange, Daniel Lievrouw of American Guardian Warranty Services and Innovative Aftermarket Services’ Matt Nowicki. Organizers say this group of experts, each of whom operates on the frontlines of the drive toward e-commerce, is uniquely qualified to get agents up to speed on this pressing issue. 

“These are broad topics,” said David Gesualdo, show chair and publisher of F&I and Showroom. “We know that, unlike the workshops, these sessions can create more questions than answers. But we also know that there’s no point in convening a group of agents this size if we’re not willing to confront the issues that affect us all.”

Agent Summit 2012 will be held March 12–14, 2012, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. To register, view the agenda or for more information, visit www.agentsummit.com.