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NAFA Executive Director Phil E. Russo, CAE had an opportunity to speak with a roomful of fleet professionals, and what they told him directly shaped the educational direction for NAFA's 2013 I&E in Atlantic City, NJ. NAFA is tailoring this year’s I&E sessions to deliver the critical, strategic information and direction you need to bring even more value to your employer. If you come out of any of these sessions with just one idea that saves money for your employer, makes your fleet safer, improves your efficiency, or makes you a better manager, you will have spent your time and money wisely in Atlantic City.
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 The Philadelphia Chapter welcomed representatives from several automakers for their meeting on January 22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Members and Affiliates were treated to a luncheon buffet as they packed the meeting room to hear of the latest offerings from the OEMs.
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The Western Canada Chapter had its third Webcast Chapter Meeting on Wednesday, January 16 at noon MST. Western Canada Chapter Chair Jim Laverty, Vehicle Pool Manager at the University of Alberta, provided NAFAConnection with information on the webcast meeting.
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 Combining a morning breakfast and networking opportunity with insightful OEM presentations, then having a front-row look at Model Year 2014 on the 56th Annual New England International Auto Show floor, the New England Chapter had the ability to check out what could be the styles, technologies, and cost savings in fleet's future.
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The NorCal-Northern Nevada Chapter held their year-end meeting on December 6, 2012 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Walnut Creek, CA. The day's agenda consisted of networking; a noontime lunch of shrimp, prime rib, stuffed chicken, and a vegetarian plate; and recognition of the Bay Area Crisis Nursery when a gift collection was taken up.
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The 2013-2014 NAFA Board of Trustees was recently announced at the Board of Governors session in Los Angeles, CA in January. NAFA Secretary Sheryl Grossman cast the required ballot vote, and the Board of Trustees ratified the new Trustees. The 2013-2014 Board of Trustees will begin their term on April 23, 2013 at the Association Business Meeting at the 2013 I&E.
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 Attendees to NAFA Fleet Management Association’s 2013 Institute & Expo (I&E) will have the opportunity to listen to a true safety expert - Janet Froetscher, the President & CEO of the National Safety Council - who will close out the final day of the 2013 I&E with a keynote presentation in the morning.
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Edward J. Peper, Jr., U.S. Vice President of GM Fleet and Commercial Sales, will be taking part in a joint keynote address for the 2013 I&E. The panel will have representatives from the Detroit Three (Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler) and will focus specifically on the needs of the fleet industry from Model Year 2014 and onward.
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The official airport of NAFA’s 2013 Institute & Expo (I&E) is actually in Philadelphia rather than Atlantic City, the site of the conference. NAFA is encouraging attendees to the I&E to fly into Philadelphia International Airport, which offers more direct flights and lower rates, and is represented by all major airlines. NAFA is running a shuttle to and from Philadelphia and Atlantic City. The NAFA shuttle is not only convenient, but provides a great networking opportunity as well!
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 NAFA invites 2013 I&E exhibitors to participate in a Silent Auction to help raise money for the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. As a matter of fact, St. Jude's gets one hundred percent from the proceeds of this event.
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Richard Nowacki and Kathy Webster were the two lucky fleet professionals, chosen from the first 200 registrants of NAFA’s 2013 Institute & Expo, as winners of the Early-Bird Conference Registration Contest. Nowacki, Fleet & Safety Manager at U.S. Cellular (Chicago, IL), was awarded an Apple iPad2, while Webster, Logistics Manager at Spectra Energy (Chatham, Ontario, Canada), will have a one bedroom suite at the Trump Taj Mahal during I&E compliments of the Association. Registration for NAFA’s annual conference, which will take place April 23-26 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ, is going strong. This is the first time in a decade the conference is being held in the northeast, a region home to many of the world’s largest fleets.
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Submissions to NAFA's seven new industry awards are offering exciting potential nominees. Winners will be announced during NAFA’s First Annual Fleet Excellence Awards Night on Tuesday, April 23 at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. The gala event will officially kick off NAFA’s 2013 Institute & Expo. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2013.
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NAFA Affiliate Ron Lasman, Manager, National Commercial Fleet Accounts for Subaru of America talks to NAFA about the value he has received and continues to get from his membership.
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 Get ready for upcoming meetings for February: 02/07/2013 - New York-InterCounty, South Central; 02/12/2013 - Ontario, North Central, New Jersey; 02/15/2013 - Greater Pittsburgh. Chicago; 02/19/2013 - Mid-America, Rocky Mountain; and 02/26/2013 - Wisconsin.
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A federal appeals court in Washington on January 25, 2013, ruled against a mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that required refiners to buy cellulosic biofuels as a way of supporting this new alternative fuel industry. Also, Ray LaHood, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced his departure from President Obama’s Cabinet; and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a clarifying position on the use of "recreational marijuana."
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British Columbia Environment Minister Terry Lake has announced a $1.3-million investment project in direct current (DC) fast-charging infrastructure in thirteen communities across the province. This latest initiative will assist electric vehicle owners plug in their vehicles and get charged.
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Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the last Republican left in President Obama's Cabinet, announced on January 29 that he is stepping down. In a note to department staff, LaHood said he would remain at the helm until a replacement is confirmed to ensure "a smooth transition for the department and all the important work we still have to do." The former seven-term congressman from Peoria, IL, has led the department since 2009 and was not expected to stay on through a second term.
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 Owning an electric car in Texas could become more expensive under one proposal being considered by state lawmakers to raise money for road construction. Various transportation-minded lawmakers have said they are set on finding a reliable stream of revenue for transportation this session. Most of the current funding comes from the 38.4 cents in state and federal taxes Texans pay per gallon of gas, an amount that has not been raised in 20 years and has failed to keep up with inflation and the increasing fuel efficiency of new vehicles.
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The Department of Environmental Protection announced on January 23 that the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate program will be extended once it reaches its milestone of awarding 500 $3,500 rebates for large-battery system plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles. Rebates of $1,000 are offered for natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or fuel-cell vehicles. A $500 rebate is available for electric motorcycles and scooters.
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Daimler, Ford, and Nissan joined forces on January 28 to develop a line of affordable fuel-cell cars for sale, starting in 2017, in what could be the first major advance for the promising zero-emission technology. The three automakers, in a statement, said the new alliance sends a clear signal to suppliers, policymakers and the industry to encourage the further development of hydrogen infrastructure worldwide.
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 The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first commercial jet to make heavy use of lithium-ion power. The ongoing investigation of faulty lithium-ion power packs on the new 787 Dreamliner could have implications far beyond the aerospace industry, some observers worrying that Boeing’s battery problems could short-circuit the nascent market for plug-ins, hybrids, and other electrified automobiles.
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According to a new study by Insure.com, in its annual study of the least and most expensive vehicles to buy coverage for, SUVs and crossovers have replaced minivans when it comes to finding the most affordable 2013 model-year vehicles, displacing minivans. The website notes that insurance rates are based on a variety of factors including the number of claims filed and how expensive they run. In turn, claims are impacted by the cost of repairs and any medical bills involved in a collision.
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NAFA welcomes new Members and Affiliates into the Association.
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Kathi Croze celebrates an important anniversary with NAFA in February, and was also honored in December 2012 as one of "sixty-six of the most influential women in the fleet industry" by Automotive Fleet Magazine.
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 In an interview with Automotive Digest, NAFA Executive Director Phil Russo, CAE, describes the 2013 I&E's Fleet Excellence Awards, sure to become the preeminent honors of the fleet industry, and the extravaganza that follows -- NAFA's I&E Opening Night Party, with a concert from Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
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Attendees from all across the country are taking advantage of some of the most amazing rates yet seen for getting to a fleet presentation. Take a ride on the exclusive NAFA Shuttle from Philadelphia International Airport to Atlantic City. The I&E has it all, and when you arrive for the conference you'll see just how convenient it can be.
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While the biggest news came from preventing the country from going over the "fiscal cliff", the U.S. government also played a significant role in the direction of fleet vehicles for the near future with the bill signed into law on January 1. That bill contained the i>Extension of Alternative Fuels Excise Tax, an incentive that helps justify the use of biodiesel and alternative fuel vehicles for thousands of fleets.
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NAFA is offering Affiliates a survey service to help you reach Members for Market Research and Surveys. Do you want to survey Members about new vehicles, to receive Members opinions about safety policies; and do you want to gather information about vehicle maintenance? NAFA’s Market Research & Survey Email Service can help you with that and more.
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Jodie Varner, newly named Director, Business Development for Fleet Response, has been part of Fleet Response since 2004 working closely with the business development and sales teams.
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 PHH Arval announced the appointment of NAFA Affiliate Jim Halliday to the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Business Development Officer for North America. Halliday will also continue to serve as President of PHH Canada. In his new role, Halliday will focus on growing the company’s business.
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David Funston has joined Mazda North American Operations as its National Fleet Operations Manager. According to Mazda, Funston has more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, having worked with OEMs such as Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Isuzu, as well as more than 15 years of experience in fleet sales and remarketing.
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A new study clearly quantifies the impact of putting the pedal to the metal. And it finds that there are surprisingly few differences between vehicles, whether brick-like SUVs or sleek, wind-cheating sports cars. The reduction in fuel economy was consistent across all vehicle classes, even the heaviest and boxiest SUVs, with only a one or two percent variations from the least to most efficient models.
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An analysis of over 4,700 car buyers from 42 dealerships nationwide showed material inconsistencies between the sourcing information dealers entered into their Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and car buyers' actual behavior, particularly in regard to the influence of the Internet in the car shopping process. A comparative analysis of CRM data and actual shopper behavior shows that the Internet is cited 3.5 times more by shoppers than it is recorded in dealership CRM systems.
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Global fleet services provider ARI has been named to Fortune Magazine's 2013 "100 Best Places to Work For" list. Now in its 16th year, the annual list recognizes companies that seek to foster employee engagement and develop a culture of trust, cooperation, and collaboration.
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Volkswagen AG switched on its largest photo-voltaic installation worldwide as the automaker builds on its U.S. auto factory's recognition by an environmental group for sustainable operations. The solar park occupies 33 acres next to the plant in Chattanooga, TN, where VW produces the Passat mid-sized sedan for the U.S. market, and provide 13 percent of energy needs during production hours, the manufacturer said.
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In science fiction movies, there are two things that seem inevitable in the future — a silver jumpsuit and driverless cars. Audi of America says the car company's technology is still a couple of decades away; however, the car maker is navigating toward a new initiative. It's become the first in the auto industry to test automated cars, in Nevada. But what's keeping all the cool stuff away? Consumers, for one.
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The NAFA store has products to help you with all aspects of fleet management. Visit the NAFA Store now!
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I&E keynote speakers, President & CEO of the National Safety Council Janet Froetcher and Edward J. Peper, Jr., U.S. VP of GM Fleet and Commercial Sales, just announced. More exciting announcements soon. Register today for I&E at www.nafainstitute.org!
NAFAConnection © 2013 NAFA Fleet Management Association
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