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The 2010 Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA) Annual Conference, themed "Turn Change into Opportunity," was held Sept. 8-10 at the JW Marriott in Las Vegas. Boasting more than 420 registered attendees, including more than 100 corporate fleet managers (the largest segment), the AFLA 2010 Conference marked a second year of overall record attendance with a large turnout of first-time attendees, compared to more than 350 attendees in 2009.
The AFLA Annual Meeting & Conference is viewed by many as the primary venue for the nation's largest commercial fleet managers to meet with industry experts about fleet industry matters. "This year's AFLA conference was the successful culmination of a true team effort by the commercial fleet managers and other corporate fleet professionals who make up our membership," said Tom Donato, 2009-2010 AFLA president.
According to Donato, conference objectives were to deliver the utmost value for members through informative presentations and to provide the best networking forum for advanced commercial fleet professionals.
Keynote speaker, auto industry expert, and producer of Autoline Detroit John McElroy presented, "The Current State of the Auto Industry." Other session topics included "Extending Vehicle Replacement Cycles and How it Can Impact Your Fleet," "Is Your Fleet Exposed? Legal Implications that Affect Your Fleet Policies," "Harnessing the Power of Social Networking for Business," and "A Look at the Global Fleet Market."
This year's agenda also included "Breakfast with Bob Lutz." AFLA honored Lutz by presenting him with the Association's first-ever, all-new Lifetime Achievement Award. The recently-retired GM vice chairman and former executive at Chrysler, Ford, GM, and BMW, has first-hand knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of the industry, the players, the global automotive market, and much more. He offered his perspective on the auto industry in a Q&A interview with Mike Antich, editor of Automotive Fleet, on stage before AFLA attendees.
Presented were the "President's Recognition Awards," which honor the achievements of AFLA members who provide exemplary service to the organization. Outgoing AFLA President Tom Donato presented this year's awards to the following individuals:
● Terry Langness, membership committee.
● Sue Miller, chairman of AFLA Commercial Fleet Sounding Board.
● Mark Klein, chairman of AFLA membership committee.
● Ed Pierce, AFLA director of fleet management companies.
● Rick Nicoletti, chairman of AFLA's communications committee and editor
of AFLA Spec Sheet.
● Mike Antich, AFLA past president.
