Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Learning About the Future of Fleet at the 5th Annual Merchants Fleet Summit

The summit offered educational sessions on upfitting, vehicle tech, and the importance of effective communication as a fleet manager.

September 20, 2024
Learning About the Future of Fleet at the 5th Annual Merchants Fleet Summit

Merchants Fleet Vice President of Operations Steven Curt (far right) with Fleet Summit attendees.

Photo: Merchants Fleet

2 min to read


Merchants Fleet held its 5th annual Fleet Summit on Sept. 10-11, 2024, at their corporate headquarters in Hooksett, NH.

Ad Loading...

Attendees experienced upfitting innovations, technology advancements, and strategic networking opportunities with top industry leaders through educational sessions by Merchants' vendor partners.

Ad Loading...

The event attracted over 200 attendees who had the opportunity to engage with experts and connect with peers from across the fleet industry who share Merchants' mission.

Kirk Hoffman, interm Co-CEO and CFO, meets with Fleet Summit sponsors. 

Photo: Merchants Fleet

"Merchants is committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in fleet management," Kirk Hoffman, interim Co-CEO and chief financial officer of Merchants Fleet, said. "Our goal is to empower our clients by providing them with access to the latest innovations, expert insights, and essential connections that will enable them to operate their fleets with greater efficiency."

In its fifth year, the industry flagship event is designed to foster in-depth discussions and hands-on experiences that directly address the daily challenges fleet managers are facing. 

On stage, Brad Burgess, interim Co-CEO and senior vice president of sales and marketing at Merchants Fleet, addresses Fleet Summit attendees.

Photo: Merchants Fleet

"This year's summit is about providing our clients with the knowledge and tools they need to stay ahead in an industry that's undergoing significant transformation," Brad Burgess, interim Co-CEO and senior vice president of sales and marketing at Merchants Fleet, said.

"We're bringing together the brightest minds in the business to discuss the latest innovations, tackle the most pressing challenges, and build meaningful connections that will help our clients thrive in today's competitive environment," Burgess continued.

Ad Loading...

2024 Fleet Summit Highlights

In order to facilitate connections between fleet managers, OEMs, and professionals from across the industry, the summit provided networking opportunities and client-centered discussions.

On stage, Kevin Sullivan of Sullivan Communications leads the keynote presentation.

Photo: Merchants Fleet

Kevin Sullivan, former White House communications director and senior vice president for corporate communications and media relations at NBC Universal, delivered an interactive keynote address on the importance of effective communication in driving innovation and change within fleet management.

Attendees had the chance to engage with the latest upfitting technologies and vehicle options, guided by industry experts. This hands-on experience allowed fleet managers to evaluate the solutions that best meet their operational requirements.

Fleet clients attending one of the many daily educational sessions.

Photo: Merchants Fleet

While upfitting was a focus, the summit also included a Ride and Drive experience where attendees could test various fleet vehicles for a firsthand experience with the latest offerings.

Sponsors of the event include Stellantis, Bridgestone, Alliance Fleet, Adrian Steel, Geotab, MotorQ, Bollinger Motors, Driverge, and more.

More Operations

AF news recap thumbnail
Operationsby Faith HowellSeptember 11, 2026

Fleet Has a Talent Pipeline Problem. What Comes Next? | AF News Recap

Where will fleet’s next generation of leaders come from? This week, we’re looking at the industry’s talent pipeline, what certification can add to a fleet career, how to build an award-worthy track record, and the return of Automotive Fleet’s Personal Use Survey.

Read More →
5Keys Engage
Operationsby StaffSeptember 9, 2026

Smith System Launches Driver Risk Management Program

Fleets have more driver data than ever, but identifying risky behavior doesn't necessarily correct it. Smith System's new Driver Risk Management program combines monitoring, training, and follow-up coaching to help fleets connect risk signals with driver intervention.

Read More →
Graphic promoting Automotive Fleet's 2026 Personal Use Survey with the text "Have a Personal Use Policy? We Want to Know!" encouraging fleet managers to complete the annual industry survey.
Operationsby StaffSeptember 8, 2026

Automotive Fleet Opens 2026 Personal Use Survey for Commercial Fleet Managers

Less than two weeks left! Commercial and corporate fleet managers are invited to share how their organizations handle company vehicle personal-use policies, charges, and driver eligibility.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Automotive Fleet news graphic featuring a woman pointing to the headline, “From AI Prompts to AI-Generated Safety Songs,” against a blue background.
Operationsby Faith HowellSeptember 4, 2026

From AI Prompts to AI-Generated Safety Songs | AF News Recap

Can better prompts make AI more useful for fleet managers? This week, we’re breaking down smarter fleet analysis, an AI-assisted experiment that turned safety training into music, and what happened to fuel prices in August.

Read More →
Interviewee photo and quote from her
Operationsby Chris BrownSeptember 1, 2026

How to Write Better AI Prompts for Fleet Analysis

Include these six elements in your fleet prompts to generate more relevant analysis and accurate answers.

Read More →
A Fleet Meets blue, red, and teal graphic with Eric Kilgore's headshot, title, and company.
Operationsby Faith HowellAugust 21, 2026

Fleet Meets: Eric Kilgore

This edition of the Fleet Meets series features one of the industry's best leaders driving multi-market and national operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
fleetio coast pay cost
OperationsAugust 13, 2026

Why Reactive Fleet Management Is Becoming Too Expensive to Sustain

Research highlights a growing need for proactive management strategies to address rising costs in fleet operations effectively.

Read More →
"Element Mobility report cover with a utility fleet truck and the title 'What your fleet KPIs aren't telling you.'"
SponsoredAugust 12, 2026

What Your Fleet KPIs Aren’t Telling You

Tracking fleet metrics is only useful when the data leads to better decisions. This guide helps fleet leaders assess cost, utilization, and downtime more accurately, identify performance gaps, and prioritize the actions that can improve operational results.

Read More →
Cover of the AgileFleet white paper "Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks" with the AgileFleet logo and a photo of fleet vehicles parked outside a government building.
SponsoredAugust 7, 2026

Hidden in Plain Sight: Fleet Compliance Risks

Fleet compliance isn't just about having policies — it's about consistently enforcing them. This practical guide reveals six hidden compliance risks common in public sector and shared fleet operations and outlines proven strategies to improve visibility, accountability, and audit readiness

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Turning Fleet Payment data into executive insights blue podcast thumbnail
OperationsAugust 5, 2026

Turning Fleet Payment Data into Executive Insights

Does data alone drive results in operations?

Read More →