Our Mission

Our mission is to educate the automotive community about effective online marketing and to support the educational programs offered through automotive organizations. We help dealers and automotive marketers leverage the Internet as a tool to drive car shoppers to dealership showrooms.

How We Work For You

The AutoTrader.com Industry Relations Team is comprised of seasoned automotive and advertising professionals. Our goal is to build long-lasting and productive partnerships through teamwork and collaboration with industry partners. Our purpose is not to promote AutoTrader.com products. Instead, we serve as a value-added resource for manufacturers, associations, dealer groups and other automotive organizations by providing educational materials, customized program content, industry-leading research and strategic support to enhance educational programs.

We offer all our services, support and material at absolutely no cost to our partners, and there are no sign-up or registration fees for participants when our speakers take part in industry events. Additionally, we cover all our own expenses, including travel and lodging.

Meet the Industry Relations Team

We are available for:

  • Manufacturer, Dealer Group and Association Meetings
  • Industry Conferences & Conventions
  • Workshops, Seminars & Webinars
  • Program Development
  • And more

Ask Us how we can develop a customized solution that works for you, or visit our FAQs for more information.
Our speakers are automotive experts with extensive OEM and dealership experience and have educated thousands of dealers nationwide. Because they understand the challenges of today's automotive businesses, they are able to add value at conferences and conventions – speaking to large audiences at national, state and local dealer associations. They also work with dealers in small workshop settings and in-classroom seminars to offer practical application and real-world solutions.
Howard Polirer
Tori Morandi
Howard brings more than 15 years of experience as a dynamic automotive sales educator to dealer audiences across the nation. As one of the nation's premier automotive educators, Howard has taught thousands of dealers about effective online innovation and Internet advertising at hundreds of conferences for national, state and local dealer associations. He has also served as a dealership consultant for over 25 major dealer groups.

Previously, Howard owned his own automotive sales training and consulting company and was also the Executive Vice President of an automotive training company serving automotive clients, OEMs and associations. With over 30 years of experience in the retail automotive business, Howard has extensive dealership expertise, having grown from a Salesperson at a Toyota dealership to Sales Manager and then to General Manager for a Volkswagen, Subaru and Chevrolet dealership.

Howard has been a featured presenter at:
  • National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Conventions
  • NADA 20 Groups
  • Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition
  • National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) Convention
  • National Alliance of Buy Here, Pay Here Dealers (NABD) Conferences
  • Toyota Used Car Conference
  • General Motors Dealer Business Workshops and eSummits
With more than 10 years of experience as a public speaker and expert trainer, Tori brings a unique and energetic style that engages audiences and promotes learning. Her presentations for AutoTrader.com cover what's happening in the industry, today's automotive consumer, emerging trends, and what's new with advertising and marketing on the Internet.

Previously, Tori worked with BMW of North America as well as Toyota and Lexus of North America as a training and instructional design consultant. Her dealership experience also includes BDC implementation and development for the Porsche, Audi, Subaru, and the Lincoln/Mercury brands. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations from Pepperdine University.

Tori has been a featured presenter at:
  • Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition
  • General Motors Dealer Business Workshops
  • Mercedes-Benz Dealer Business Meetings
  • Oregon Automobile Dealers Association 76th Annual Convention
  • Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association 2010 Convention
  • Porsche Regional Marketing Managers Meeting
  • BMW Pre-Owned Workshops

  • Allyson Estes

    Director, Industry Relations and Dealer Training
    Allyson heads up the Industry Relations team and serves as the team's chief strategist. Her drive to help partners succeed inspires the team to innovate and elevate its services and solutions daily. Bermuda-born and Kansas-bred, Allyson draws on 20 years of experience in the automotive business to lead the team's progressive initiatives. She has... read more managed multi-milliondollar marketing and advertising efforts on both the brand and retail sides of the industry for companies like General Motors and NAPA AUTO PARTS. Prior to joining AutoTrader.com in 2007, she was a Vice President at Leo Burnett Detroit. Allyson's rich professional history affords her valuable insight into the needs and challenges of today's automotive businesses. Allyson is a graduate of the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!). Her first car was a 1978 Honda Civic. Minimize

  • Jason Jager

    Senior Manager, Industry Relations
    Jason serves as the Industry Relations "go-to" guy. With razor-sharp attention to detail and a special talent for managing multiple projects with grace, Jason has uncompromising standards. For partners, this commitment to excellence means results they can count on. It's no surprise that Jason ended up in the automotive industry. Born and raised... read more in Southeast Michigan, you could say it's in his blood. He began his career in automotive marketing over 10 years ago at McCann Erickson agency. While there, he oversaw the planning and execution of over $12 million in marketing funds for Buick in 10 Southeastern markets. Jason joined AutoTrader.com in April 2006. He oversees the creation and implementation of educational programs. He is also instrumental in developing new educational opportunities within the industry. Jason earned a bachelor's degree in Advertising from Michigan State (Go Spartans!). His first car was a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. It had a vinyl top. Minimize

  • Amy Lee

    Industry Relations Associate Manager
    Amy is Industry Relations' right-hand woman. As the backbone of the team, she is instrumental in the development and delivery of our educational programs. She also supports the company's strategic relationships with industry partners. Amy was a navy brat until her family settled just outside Atlanta, Ga., in the late '80s, but her familial roots... read more lie in automotive Michigan. Prior to joining AutoTrader.com in 2008, she served as McCann Erickson's lead resource for Buick and Pontiac's brand strategy, sponsorships and advertising in the Southeast Region. Amy earned a bachelor's degree in Advertising from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!). Her first car was a 1992 Chrysler Town & Country Extended Passenger Minivan. It had faux wood siding. Minimize

  • Kristen Woodburn

    Manager, Industry Relations
    Kristen is our resident events guru. She drives the strategy behind AutoTrader.com's presence at dealer-facing industry events. Her leadership and vision help ensure that dealers get the most value from our exhibit at national and regional conventions. Kristen also manages our relationships with state and metro associations to... read more customize solutions for their educational programs. Kristen was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and raised in Jacksonville, FL. Prior to joining AutoTrader.com in 2011, she spent nine years at Messe Frankfurt USA, a division of Messe Frankfurt, the world's largest trade show organizer, where she started out as a trade show coordinator and grew to become the group show director for technical trade shows. Kristen earned a B.A. in Business Administration and Spanish from Furman University (Go Paladins!). Her first car was a white, wood-paneled Chrysler minivan hand-me-down from her parents. Minimize