Jim Spellissy: Get To Know Minnesota

What do the 2014 NAFA I&E and cake have in common? The answer is Minneapolis, MN, this year’s home for the NAFA I&E, and one of our national treasures, Betty Crocker.

The 2014 NAFA I&E is April 8-11, 2014, and will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The NAFA I&E is the largest community of fleet professionals, providing them with the opportunity to attend cutting edge classes and seminars pertinent to the fleet environment, network with their peers, and develop strategies to improve their companies' bottom line!

So now is a good time to brush up on your Minnesotan facts and slang. Ready?

The Name "Minnesota" comes from the Dakota Indian words for "sky-tinted water" or "land of sky-blue waters."
The state motto is "Star of the north" or the "North star."
Although known as "Land of 10,000 Lakes," in actuality there are over 15,000 lakes in Minnesota .
The state flower is the "Lady Slipper" and the state nickname is the "Gopher State."
Charlie Brown’s creator Charles Schulz also hailed from Minnesota.
Famous Twin City Inventions: 3M’s Post It Notes and cellophane tape, Cream of Wheat, Totino's Frozen Pizza, Green Giant Vegetables, Tonka Toys, and Rollerblades.

You might want to start practicing on some local lingo that will help you with your assimilation to the Minneapolis way of life.
Here are a few fun words I found on line:

BRAT is a hotdog (short for "bratwurst"), not a child with an attitude.
ICE HOUSE is a building over ice to keep you warm while ice fishing, not a beer & wine store.
HOT DISH is a potluck dinner casserole, not the temperature of a pot or pan.
ICE DAM is ice that forms at the edge of a roof.
OUT EAST is a reference to anything east of the Mississippi.
POP is the term for soda or cola, not what goes with "Snap and Crackle!"
RAMBLER is a one story house that is found everywhere in Minnesota, not an old model car or someone who talks a lot.
SPAM is canned spiced ham (sp-am), not the email junk that we all get. (FYI, Spam was invented and is still produced in Austin, MN!)
UP NORTH is Northern Minnesota, above Grand Rapids, so that refers to where our Canadian friends live as well.
WARMING HOUSE When playing outdoor hockey, it’s the place where you warm up as you lace up your skates or after you are finished skating.

Now you are ready to jump into the conversation. So, come and exhibit, educate, network, and enjoy with thousands of Fleet Managers in one of the most beautiful places in the United States. More detailed information can be found at www.NAFAinstitute.org. See you there!

NAFA Affiliate Jim Spellissy is Vice President at PHH Arval Fleet Management Services.