With the agenda for the inaugural Global Fleet Management Conference in Phoenix having been set, fleet managers and executives from around the globe are weighing in, and the verdict has been nothing short of “exceptional.”

“After looking over the agenda, I can’t wait to attend,” said Keith Scolan, manager, Global Fleet for ITW – Illinois Tool Works Inc., whose initial feedback was echoed by more than a dozen others.

The content of the Global Fleet Management Conference in Phoenix was designed specifically for relevance to the day-to-day work of fleet managers handling multinational fleets—and has hit a proverbial bull’s eye according to Richard Tiffany, Global Fleet Director for Rentokil in the UK.

“The content of the agenda is exactly what I am currently working on every day,” he said.

From the opening keynote address will be delivered by Bruce MacLaren, Global Auto Program manager for Microsoft, on the theme of "Think Global and Act Local -- Why and How” to other keynotes and general sessions that will tackle the topics of how global operations vary according to market and the challenges of emerging markets, including Brazil, Russia, China, and India the content has already resonated with fleet managers from around the globe.

“I think the next real challenge for many fleet managers, executives, or anyone with fleet responsibilities is going to be how to manage and take a fleet to a global platform,” commented Dean Yerem, purchasing manager for Nestlé Business Services - North America. “Like balancing decisions on fuel-efficient vehicles and communications to key executives looking at fleets from a global perspective is going to be one the core and key competencies for fleet managers. Conferences like this are the first step in the direction to help develop best practices and show how to manage and develop policies that cover a globe.”

Concurrent sessions will drill down into more detail covering global best practices, how to overcome the challenges of developing corporate fleet policies, how to engage global fleet stakeholders, and how to develop a global supplier strategy.

“Global fleet management is challenging at best. Having a forum where global fleet managers can share best practices and where to avoid pitfalls has never been done to my knowledge. I look forward to seeing what other fleet managers are doing to get their arms around the challenges of global fleet,” said Mike Sims, global fleet planning, acquisition and resale manager for the Church of Latter-Day Saints.

A unique aspect of the conference will occur during the opening night dinner. Attendees will be assigned tables and work together to solve a specific global fleet management issue. The outcome of each table's discussion will be presented the following day during a special seminar session.

“The agenda is exceptional," said Steve Saltzgiver, VP fleet operations for Coca-Cola Refreshments. "Having participated in fleet conferences and global events, the advantage a global event is visibility to the universal fleet challenges in a global economy. Fleet challenges are truly ubiquitous and effectively networking with other fleet professionals can lead to quicker problem resolution and creative solutions saving fleet organizations valuable time and money."

The Global Fleet Management Conference, which will be held in at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix hotel, Phoenix, Ariz., from Monday, Sept. 30 to Tuesday, Oct. 1, and is being produced by Bobit Business Media, publisher of Automotive Fleet, and Nexus Communication, publisher of Fleet Europe.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in several pre- and post-conference workshops and will receive a pass to attend the second day of the Green Fleet Conference & Expo, which is being held a within walking distance of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix hotel, and will feature an agenda geared to global sustainability issues.

Click here to view the entire agenda for the Global Fleet Management Conference.