Affiliates Forum: A Growing Process

When I started at Wheels, Inc. eleven years ago, one of the first things I learned was that my company had a significant involvement with a trade association called NAFA, but because I was new to fleet, I simply had no idea what the organization truly stood for, or what its relevance was as a national emporium for a multi-billion dollar industry. Taking the advice of numerous colleagues at Wheels and elsewhere in the industry, I decided to see it for myself.

My first immediate exposure to NAFA was at the national conference now known as the Institute & Expo, or simply the "I&E." Today we all are very familiar with the I&E conference – the informative educational forums; the peer networking; the receptions and dinners – as a key event in the NAFA year. I was immediately impressed with the breadth of information and educational resources offered at the conference, but I was particularly intrigued when I learned that NAFA had several local chapters to serve regional needs in addition to the more "big picture" industry matters.

So I started attending meetings held by NAFA’s Chicago chapter. While our chapter board members have changed slightly over the years, it was clear from day one that I would always be among a dedicated group of informative and savvy people who truly care about NAFA and the fleet industry. As I gained more and more experience within the chapter, I was afforded a number of leadership opportunities that have allowed me to really dig in and get involved. These roles have included planning our annual Auto Show Meeting for each of the past eight years, and serving as our Chapter’s Affiliate Chairperson since 2005.

As my involvement has continued to grow within the Chicago chapter, I have made it a point to attend meetings at other local chapters whenever possible. It became (and still is) very clear to me the importance of these local chapter meetings in providing a setting that is conducive to identifying the most immediate matters affecting each fleet community. There has always been an opportunity to use these meetings as a way for members to educate each other on relevant topics, to get to know one another, to share best practices, discuss common challenges, and much more. The strong, enduring participation in local meetings has reinforced their value as a great supplement to the I&E in addressing as many local and industry-wide matters as possible.

I have been a NAFA Affiliate Member for many years, and today my participation is as strong as ever. This year I was invited to sit on the Curriculum Planning Committee for the 2012 I&E, as well as the NAFA Affiliate Committee. The time and effort the groups have invested in developing training and networking resources has simply reaffirmed my confidence in NAFA’s commitment to providing great forums for individual and industry growth. Much of our current focus includes finding ways to keep Affiliates and fleet managers involved, as well as identifying new opportunities to provide value at the national level as well as through local chapter memberships.

Throughout my involvement with NAFA, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion that NAFA’s employees and Members have for their trade. Together, we are constantly striving to enhance the offerings NAFA provides, and to improve the fleet industry in general. While today’s environment may make it challenging at times for members to attend each and every meeting or conference, I feel assured that it is well worth the effort, and urge fleet managers and Affiliates to get involved and remain involved in NAFA.
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This month's Affiliate Contributor is Joe McDonald, Senior Director of Account Management for Wheels, Inc.

NAFA Fleet Management Association
125 Village Blvd., Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540

Telephone: 609.720.0882 Fax: 609.452.8004