‘Ask Frenchy’ to Win a Free Trip to Industry Summit
Dealers and F&I professionals are invited to submit their most challenging customer objections to IAS’s Eric ‘Frenchy’ Mélon for a chance to win free registration, hotel room, and recognition at this year’s Industry Summit, which heads to Orlando, Fla., in October.


Industry Summit 2018 will be held Oct. 8–10 at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Fla. Photo courtesy Caribe Royale

ORLANDO, Fla. — Organizers of the annual Industry Summit announced that IAS will once again sponsor “Ask Frenchy,” a competition that will include five finalists personally selected by Eric “Frenchy” Mélon, the company’s president of sales and veteran F&I trainer. The event will be held Oct. 8–10, 2018, at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Orlando, Fla.
“‘Ask Frenchy’ has become a highlight of Industry Summit, and for good reason: It’s real, it’s challenging, and it’s an F&I training exercise you will never forget,” said David Gesualdo, show chair and publisher of F&I and Showroom and Auto Dealer Today magazines.
Dealers and F&I professionals are invited to click here to submit the most challenging question or objection a car buyer has posed to them. Winners will receive a complimentary show pass and accommodations at the Caribe Royale. They will also be invited to participate in a special session with Mélon at Industry Summit, set for 3:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9.
“In our industry, we spend so much time working in our game that we rarely take the time to work on our game,” Mélon said. “The Industry Summit is a great time to work on your game, and I’m excited to hear the objections you’re getting every day. I’ll pick the toughest objections and share my thoughts in Orlando. See you there!”
Registration for Industry Summit 2018 is open at the event’s website. Register by Sept. 20 to enjoy a $100 early-bird discount. To discuss sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, contact David Gesualdo at (727) 947-4027 or via email.
More F&I

Leading with Purpose
In this video, Trent White explains how understanding your people’s 'why' is a key leadership responsibility of F&I professionals and how that mindset drives dealership engagement, trust and performance.
Read More →
Integrating Nontraditional F&I Products
The niche presents a strategic advantage for auto dealerships as they move to adapt to fast-changing consumer expectations in today’s market.
Read More →
Trust Is Personal
Technology, no matter how efficient, can’t replace what the human F&I manager can do, which is to bridge the divide between cyberspace and the in-store experience.
Read More →
Amplify 2026 Billed as Turning Innovation Into Results
Reynolds and Reynolds says its annual retail summit will connect dealers with practical strategies, peer insight, and technology-driven ideas.
Read More →
Own Your Outcome: F&I in the Digital Customer Journey
Finance has historically been the last step in the car-buying process, but it doesn’t have to be. The customer’s journey starts long before they arrive at the dealership, and so should F&I’s involvement.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Lifetime Battery F&I Product Meant to Drive Dealer Traffic
EFG Cos. offering is intended to create lifetime auto dealer engagement with customers.
Read More →
The Psychology Behind Menus That Increase Add-On Sales
There is a science to crafting a menu that gives customers confidence in the choices presented, and moving the process outside the F&I office can further boost results.
Read More →
Why Your F&I PVR Is Misleading You
Here’s a handy checklist of the numbers to track in 2026 instead.
Read More →