Ed Pierce: Affiliates "DO AC" And Win
"DO AC" is exactly what a recent-record-setting number of attendees did last month at NAFA's 2013 Institute & Expo in Atlantic City. And, as it turns out, Affiliates who put their money down on the opportunity to exhibit, sponsor, educate, and entertain NAFA members left town as winners!
The largest number of attendees since before the economic crunch came to Atlantic City and found over 270 exhibitors on the Expo floor showing the latest in technology, products, and services. They also found a wide choice of educational sessions (conducted by industry experts, including many fleet managers with real-world experience) bringing ideas that they could use to improve their own fleets' performance. Terrific keynote speakers, the CALSTART program, and much more were integrated into the program.
Aside from formal education and exposition, however, attendees had many informal opportunities to network, possibly the preferred interaction of Affiliates and members over the course of a conference. The Tuesday night gala event, featuring the new Fleet Excellence awards ceremony, was a lively event that only got more exciting with the appearance of Southside Johnny and company. A great time was had by all that night and at all of the I&E events.
As an ardent supporter of the I&E because of the value it offers Affiliates, I solicited feedback. While previous conferences have improved year to year, this conference generated the most positive feedback in a long time! Those exhibitors that conducted their pre-show promotion expected good crowds and saw just that. Those Affiliates that had sales strategies in place ahead of time felt he conference was successful.
All in all, NAFA couldn't "DO AC" any better, according to the Affiliates I spoke to, and there are high hopes for next year's I&E!
NAFA Affiliate Ed Pierce is Branding & Global Marketing Vice President for ARI.
