NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) concluded its 2023 Institute and Expo (I&E), this past April 17-19, in Baltimore, Maryland, 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.
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.
During the opening session on April 17, Michael Camnetar, the NAFA Board President 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,” stated 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.”
The April 17 keynote speech—The #1 Thing That Holds Us Back—was presented by Sunjay Nath, a specialist in leadership and performance. He 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.
The April 19 Keynote—Hacking Innovation, The New Growth Model from the Sinister World of Hackers—was delivered by Sara Frasca, an 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 April 18, 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.
Over 20 education sessions (see image above) took place throughout 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.
Next year’s I&E will take place in San Antonio, Texas on April 22-24, 2024. To learn more about NAFA, visit: www.nafa.org.