Missed Day One? Check It Out Here!

The Annual Business Meeting at I&E is traditionally the session where NAFA leaders let members and attendees know about all the great things NAFA did the previous year, and offer a glimpse of the Association's future direction. On the morning of April 24 at the Anaheim Convention Center, NAFA President Bryan Flansburg, CAFM, touched upon the full value of the Association, from its position as a leader in the industry to its very real and personal connection to each and every member.

As an official act of the Annual Business Meeting, President Bryan Flansburg, CAFM, introduced the leaders who have volunteered to steer NAFA forward in 2018/2019, as well as individuals leaving the Board. NAFA thanks them for their service and contributions.

During the Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday morning, NAFA President Bryan Flansburg, CAFM, honored Immediate Past President Ruth Alfson, CAFM, Fleet Manager/DOT Compliance - Fleet Management for Serco Group, with NAFA’s Distinguished Service Award. It is the Association's highest form of recognition.

During the Annual Business Meeting on Tuesday morning, NAFA President Bryan Flansburg, CAFM, took a moment to honor Ray Brisby, CAFM, with the Association's prestigious Excellence in Education Award. Brisby became a NAFA instructor in 2010 and has taught more than 80 individual classes at all levels, from the Essentials of Fleet Management seminar, to the CAFM Boot Camps, and the long-ago Masters Forum. He is one of the few instructors who has taught all nine certificate courses that NAFA offers and is continually rated as one of the top instructors by students.

Prior to his introduction of NAFA's I&E keynote speaker Jody Urquhart, Dan Thompson, District Sales Manager for ARI, announced the promotion of company veteran Bob White to ARI President. He succeeds Chris Conroy who will focus on parent company Holman Business Services.

Excitement abounded on Tuesday evening as the winners of the 2018 FLEXY Awards ascended the stage and claimed their awards. The FLEXYs are open to all fleet professionals, regardless of whether or not they were members of NAFA Fleet Management Association. Special thanks to Wheels, Inc., the corporate sponsor for this year's FLEXY Awards Celebration.

The I&E Expo floor is where fleet does business. For two days -- today, April 25, and Thursday, April 26 -- attendees will see and experience the latest in fleet products and services. The largest of its kind, the I&E Expo floor assembles all things fleet under one roof from national exhibitors, including top vehicle manufacturers, leasing companies, software suppliers, service providers, maintenance and repair companies, and many others.

This morning, join moderator Tom Brotherton, Regional Director, CALSTART; and speakers Joseph Cannon, Director, EV Solutions, AeroVironment, Monrovia, Calif.; and David Peterson, Director, Fleet Solutions, ChargePoint, Campbell, Calif., as they identify the factors to consider in evaluating charging infrastructure, assess a fleet operation portfolio requirements versus available and upcoming solutions, and identify the best infrastructure deployment strategy to meet fleet charging needs and budget constraints, and maintain operational efficiency.

How well do you know renewable diesel? Tomorrow, join us for Renewable Diesel - The New Alternative Fuel of Choice, an overview of renewable diesel and how fleets can introduce renewable diesel and biodiesel blends to reduce their fueling costs and lower their emissions profile. In addition to these goals, this new alternative fuel can also help government and corporate fleets achieve their sustainability targets.

Tomorrow, attend the session Alcohol, Marijuana, and Prescription Meds - Impaired Driving Is on the Rise to understand the increasing problem of impaired driving, including the use of marijuana and illicit drugs, discover what organizations can do to respond to this emerging reality, and learn defensive driving techniques that will assist in avoiding collisions with impaired drivers.

Tomorrow, join David Liniado, Vice President, Consumer Mobility, Cox Automotive; and Tony Candeloro, Senior Vice President Technology and Operations, ARI; to understand the future of mobility and how shifting dynamics in consumer transportation will affect businesses. Conduct a thorough review of vehicle lifecycle management from acquisition to disposal and discern if there are opportunities to more efficiently onboard and manage fleets. Make informed decisions about how to prepare fleet for the future.

New lease accounting standards are here, and you need to be sure about what the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has set out for 2018 and beyond. In tomorrow's session, FASB Changes are Here - Now What?, Moderator Art Failla, Assistant Vice President, Client Relations, Wheels; and Shlomo Crandus, Chief Financial Officer, Wheels; will identify what the new accounting standards are and what they will require of you and your organization.

Are you looking for a one-stop destination where you can find out everything that's taking place at I&E? Download the 2018 NAFA app and you'll have the entire conference in the palm of your hand! The NAFA I&E app will allow you to stay up to date with the latest event news and view the full conference schedule. You'll also be able to explore exciting features to keep you engaged throughout the conference, including live polling and surveys, interactive maps, session and speaker profiles, and much more!

Hosted by 2018 I&E Arrangements Committee Chair Anthony Orta and NAFA Vice President Jeff Jeter, NAFA's Chapter Appreciation Luncheon was more than a terrific way to share ideas with chapter peers and colleagues. It was an opportunity to make a stand against hunger with the Rise Against Hunger charitable organization.

During yesterday's Chapter Appreciation Luncheon, an individual who is well-known to NAFA membership, took the stage to let I&E attendees know of great things on the horizon. NAFA Foundation President Claude Masters, CAFM, described the changes the organization took on recently, as well as the strategic goals it has set for itself in the near future. He also unveiled a way the fleet industry can support the Foundtion, through a text-to-donate program.

During yesterday's Chapter Appreciation Luncheon, NAFA Vice President Jeff Jeter, Fleet Manager, BlueBird Virginia, honored two individuals for their commitment to NAFA's chapters: Bridget Clark, NAFA's 2018 Outstanding Chapter Service Award for a Regular Member; and Nancy James, Regional Account Executive for the FCA Group, who received NAFA's 2018 Outstanding Chapter Service Award for an Associate Member.

NAFA thanks the Chapters who helped supercharge this year's Institute & Expo. Your contributions and excitement helped make this year's event the best yet!

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is excited to display vehicles that maximize fleet owner’s investment including the all-new 2019 RAM 1500 and Jeep Cherokee. Come visit us on the Expo floor at booth #547 for a personal walkaround.

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Thank You!

NAFA Fleet Management Association thanks the following companies for their generous support of the 2018 Institute & Expo.

NAFA thanks the following publications for joining us as media sponsors for the 2018 I&E! Click on their logos and learn more.

Company: Toyota Motor North America, Inc
Booth #: 337

We take pride in what the Toyota name represents—innovation, quality and reliability. From our associates and dealers to our suppliers and customers, our devotion to constant improvement results in an exceptional line of cars and trucks.

Company: INVERS Mobility Solutions
Booth #: 621

INVERS technology makes running a motor pool easy. One reservation system can manage small and large fleets at one location or spread out across a region.

Company: Ranger Design
Booth #: 723

With manufacturing facilities and a strong network of dealers across America, Ranger Design provides shelving, storage equipment, partitions, floors and ladder racks for commercial vehicles.

Company: BG Products, Inc.
Booth #: 525

BG Products, Inc., is the leading aftermarket supplier of professional products in the automotive, fleet and heavy duty industries.

Company: Microsoft Bing Maps
Booth #: 100

Microsoft Bing Maps offers an integrated set of intelligent API services and mapping data to power your fleet management and truck routing solutions.

Company: NexTraq
Booth #: 687

NexTraq, a Michelin group company, is an important partner to fleet customers, helping them improve driver safety and vehicle uptime. Visit us at Booth 681.

Company: USA Fleet Solutions
Booth #: 688

USA Fleet Solutions offers Geotab and NJPA to fleets nationwide with the most flexible telematics system at a competitive price.

Company: The Toro Company
Booth #: 305

The Toro Company is a leading provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment including: turf maintenance, snow and ice management, utility vehicles, rental and specialty construction equipment.