The National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) reported that registrations for the 2004 Fleet Management Institute (FMI) were 6.5 percent larger than last year's conference. More than 2,300 participants attended this year's event in Atlanta. This year's conference kicked off on April 18 with specialty fleet workshops. Peers from corporate, pharmaceutical, public service, university and utility fleets held individual roundtables to discuss issues unique to their type of fleet. Among the topics of discussion: checking motor vehicle records, 15-passenger vans, global tracking systems, the use of biodiesel fuel, hybrid trucks and accident reporting. Also on Saturday, 20 fleet professionals sat for the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) exam and an additional 31 took the exam locally. President Milton Reid addressed attendees at Sunday's Annual Business Meeting. Reid recounted the past year's achievements and challenges in the areas of legislative, education and membership. Reid's presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to Christopher Amos, CAFM, concluded the Annual Business Meeting. After a morning of educational sessions, day one of the two-day Fleet Management Exposition began. This year, several exhibitors took advantage of 20-minute theater presentations to demonstrate their products or answer questions about their companies. Sunday also marked the beginning of the NAFA's Vacation of a Lifetime contest where attendees visited participating vendors to get stamps in their passports for a chance to win a $10,000 vacation. At Monday's CAFM Breakfast NAFA honored the following graduates for earning their CAFM distinction: Richard G. Bonistalli, John Brewington, Frank Castro, Kellie Duenke, Edward Fahie, Alan Hadley, Edward "Ted" Hall, Steven Heinrichs, David Lynn, Scott Pridgen, Chris Schmitt and Cecile Warner. NAFA's Excellence in Education Award was presented to Linda Carlton, CAFM. Educational sessions and day two of the Fleet Management Expo followed breakfast. Lisa Kinimaka of Pacific Gas & Electric and Bob Stanton of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners were recognized for their fleet ideas at Tuesday's Goill Award Breakfast. Ray Breault of Fleet Response awarded the Outstanding Chapter Service by an Affiliate award. LaVerne Butler of the Philadelphia Chapter was awarded the Outstanding Chapter Service by a Member award. NAFA Member Nancy Barlage of the Regis Corporation was the winner of the Vacation of a Lifetime contest.
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