Posted on

🏛️ 2023 American Car Rental Association (ACRA), Washington DC

Arlington, Virginia, October 23, 2023

DAMAGE ID attended the ACRA trade association “bootcamp” on October 23-25, 2023. It was an exciting and intense 3 days, filled with networking and advocacy for interests of the car rental industry via ACRAPAC, the political action committee, associated with ACRA.

ACRA represents 98% of America’s car rental industry, and is comprised of 300+ car rental companies including larger brands such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar and Enterprise. In addition, there were many smaller companies in attendance such as Edge Rental from New York and AMPM Rental from Los Angelos.

Charlie partner and software engineer from DAMAGE iD in front front of the US Capitol building, before meeting with senators.

The first day included “inside” industry learning, via panel discussions, held at the Westin in Arlington. Panel presentations included:

  • Fleet management
  • Legal Issues for Car Rental Industry
  • Third Party Fleet Services
  • Insurance Procurement
  • Damage Recovery and Fleet Financing
  • Electric Vehicle Transition

Charlie Dalsass, partner and software engineer from DAMAGE iD, presented on the panel on damage recovery. Mr. Dalsass emphasized the importance of digital “baseline” photo and video capture as a way to improve profitability when collecting for damage. Mr. Dalsass also discussed the state of DAMAGE iD’s AI-based damage detection as well as the advances and challenges in that area.

Day 2 and 3, were held at capitol hill in DC, meeting with senators and congress members to advocate for issues relevant to the car rental industry. Topics included:

  • Politics and Policy “Full Expensing” (Tax)
  • 2023 FAA Bill and Airport Electrification
  • Vehicle Data access
  • Federal Cyber Security and Law enforcement issues
  • EV Perspectives

At the reception on Tuesday, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) gave speeches supporting the car rental industry.

Charlie with Ian from Empire Rent-a-Car (New York, New York)

Carlos, Gregg, Charlie and Al in front of capitol building offices.

Mike DeLorenzo, NP Franchise Group, in front of Sen Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) office
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) speaking about the importance of the car rental service industry and tourism.
Congressional reception at Sonoma Restaurant

The event was a great way to meet and work closely with customers, as well as learn about the political process. DAMAGE iD hopes to attend again in 2024… until then!

Posted on

DAMAGE iD (Rocking) the 2022 International Car Rental Show in VEGAS (Day 2)

Main entrance to International Car Rental Show (ICRS) 2022
Exhibit Hall and DAMAGEiD booth at ICRS 2022 in Hotel Paris, Las Vegas
Kudos to DAMAGEiD team
Time-lapse of DAMAGEiD team interaction with customers
Have to take a break and relax under sun and over pool!!
Proud team of DAMAGEiD
The Chandelier : Crystal-ensconced bar at the Cosmopolitan offers distinctive bars spanning 3 floors & a modern vibe.
Fun time !!!
Fun and memorable business dinner at STK Steakhouse, The Cosmopolitan, Vegas
Posted on

DAMAGE iD at the 2022 International Car Rental Show in VEGAS (Day 1)

DAMAGE iD team is headed to the 2022 international car show in Las Vegas! Will be staying at the Paris hotel right on the strip.

We’re off! At Logan, Boston, we took Spirit Airlines. They are bare-bones but I really like them. Great price. I actually appreciate that they aren’t constantly trying to sell you “extras”. The fleet are small Airbus 319s.
Preparing for the demo at the trade show. Chandrahas making some last-minute changes to our new “contactless customer inspection”.
Arrived in Las Vegas!
Posted on

Day 2 (continued), 2021 International Car Rental Show, Las Vegas

These shops were at the bottom of our hotel elevator. This place is wild!
Up for the 7:30 AM breakfast. Food was delicious at the International Car Rental Show. Nice breakfast with coffee, bagels, fruit, yogurt parfait. Chandrahas manning the booth.
More demos with customers. A lot of interest in the new Proof Tec artificial intelligence feature.
More demos at the 12-2:00 session. This was the final session where the expo floor was open.
With some free time, and checked out of the hotel, we went to Old Las Vegas, a funky, quirky town with a massive overhead video screen and 1950’s style buildings.
This guy was amazing. He must have had some mechanical structure hidden in his pants to make it appear he was sitting like that for a long time. Lots of strange characters here, and tons of booze and pot smoke.
Oscars, “Beef, Booze, and Broads”. (I’m not kidding. View the sign close up to see).
The Rat Pack at the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino.
The overhead video covered the entire street. You could rent these acrobatic lines that would rappel you down the entire street.
After the old town we stopped in at Maggiano’s for a quiet drink and to catch up. Everwhere is so noisy, we really needed a break from all the music and sounds.
We met Fernando, I’ve never met him before, but a wonderful guy who I felt I’d known all my life. Friend of Paula and Jack’s from Sixt rental in South America.
Left at 7:30 from the restaurant, and right to airport for this beautiful skyline.
Watching the planes fuel before heading home on the red eye. Got home to Boston at 5:33 AM safe and sound!
Posted on

Day 1, 2021 International Car Rental Show, Las Vegas

Ready for Take Off at Logan Airport
Landing around 9:30 PM Las Vegas time.
On the way to the hotel. Las Vegas Raiders stadium.
Bellagio Fountain at night.
“Fountain of the Gods” near the hotel elevator.
Chandrahas and Charlie at the booth.
Paula had these embroidered hoodies made for us. No sleeves, hood and big DAMAGE iD at the back.
Entrance of Caesar’s Palace Hotel
Lobby
Lots of fancy stores. You don’t see a Lamborghini store in your average mall!
The pools are amazing here.
Entrance to the ICRS.
We were able to find a mass in the morning to attend. An beautiful “oasis” from the hedonism all around Las Vegas!
In the hotel room, preparing a rotating car for the AI demo.
Kids be like… “Does your hotel have a pool”.

View of the exposition room before opening

The booth – announcing the Proof Tech AI partnership
Love those hoodies!
Customers are coming non-stop to see the demo. Chandrahas doing demo after demo. Paula in the background.
This pool is AMAZING! Look at how many pools there are. And even though it reached 108 degrees, the water is quite cool and so nice to swim!
Got a few minutes to have a drink by the pool!
More demos and a piano player at the 4-5:30 session. The Car Rental Show offered drinks and delicious appetizers. Wonderful ambiance and great networking too!
Lovely dinner at the Capital Grille on Monday night. Walk back to the hotel. Soooo tired!