Innovation and Community Dominate NAFA’s 2023 I&E
Edison, N.J.
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April 25, 2023 02:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time
NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) recently concluded its 2023 Institute and Expo (I&E), April 17-19, in Baltimore, MD, where nearly 2,000 fleet and mobility professionals from around the globe convened to network, learn, and explore the latest products and services from industry suppliers.
During the opening session on Monday, NAFA Board President Michael Camnetar, CAFM, kicked off the event with an update on the association’s initiatives. The session featured fleet professionals who achieved their Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) designation. The winners of the 100 Best Fleets in the Americas were also crowned.
“NAFA I&E is always a special time, especially now when we are experiencing so much growth and change in our industry,” said Camnetar. “We leave I&E with a newfound sense of curiosity, a greater appreciation for our industry and feeling a whole lot closer to our community.”
Monday’s Keynote, The #1 Thing That Holds Us Back, was led by Sunjay Nath – renowned keynote speaker specializing in leadership and performance. Nath challenged attendees to break away from patterns that no longer work, become more aware of biases and learn to question what people believe is impossible. Wednesday’s Keynote, Hacking Innovation, The New Growth Model from the Sinister World of Hackers, was led by Sara Frasca, innovation and business growth expert. This session opened attendees’ eyes to the hacker mindset, emphasizing how and why unorthodox moves can lead to the best business outcomes.
On the Main Stage on Tuesday, industry leaders gathered to discuss the electrification of the fleet industry and how fleet managers can work with key stakeholders to reach their electric vehicle goals. The panelists addressed the importance of mitigating risks, developing climate action plans, being change agents, quantifying overall impacts and aligning EV goals with the DNA of their organization.
More than 20 education sessions took place over the course of the event, providing fleet industry professionals with the opportunity to stay ahead of emerging trends and make connections with other attendees. Session topics included fleet electrification, recession-proofing fleet operations, tackling the growing shortage of qualified technicians, top fleet management best practices, and more. Also, more than 70 participants were immersed in CAFM Live, a peer-to-peer educational event that accelerates Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) candidates’ preparation for examination and certification.
The Expo featured nearly 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest fleet products and services. New this year, the inaugural Innovations Showcase invited attendees into an interactive innovation zone on the Expo floor, where exciting new products and product updates being launched by exhibiting companies were on display. Digital Ally, Inc. and ReviverMX, Inc. were named the winners of the inaugural Innovations Showcase People’s Choice award. NAFA also introduced its first-ever Media Day, providing nearly a dozen companies the opportunity to present their breaking news and announcements to reporters in back-to-back press conferences.
At I&E, NAFA also announced the leaders of its Regional Councils as part of the association’s new regional governance model, which was rolled out earlier this year. This new structure will foster and enhance community and growth. More information on this announcement can be found here.
Thank you to our 2023 sponsors for their generous support of I&E.
Wheels
Stellantis Fleet & Business Solutions
Holman
Wex
Element
U.S. Bank Voyager
Faster Asset Solutions
Geotab
Circle K Pro
Shell Fleet Solutions
Samsara
Bestpass
Merchants Fleet
NAFA also extends its appreciation to its media partners for their continued support:
Autosphere.ca
Automotive Fleet
Fleet Management Weekly
Modern WorkTruck Solutions
The MUNICIPAL
Utility Fleet Professional
Next year’s I&E will take place in San Antonio, TX on April 22-24, 2024. To learn more about NAFA, visit: https://www.nafa.org/
NAFA Fleet Management Association is the membership organization for professionals who manage the mobility requirements of vehicle fleets that include commercial, public safety, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes; and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for corporations, governments, universities, utility fleets, and law enforcement in North America and across the globe. NAFA’s members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 4.8 million vehicles that drive an estimated 84 billion miles each year. NAFA’s members control assets and services well above $122 billion each year. For more information, please visit www.nafa.org, and communicate with NAFA on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
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