Fleet managers from all industries attending this year's Fleet Expo 2001 will be able to learn how telematics can benefit their fleet. On the afternoon of Sept. 23, major players of the telematics and communications industry will present a special workshop on telematics. A panel comprised of industry experts from major telematics companies, including Visteon, OnStar, @Road, Trimble, Qualcomm, and CellPort, will discuss telematics in-vehicle technology and how it can benefit fleets.

In addition, a wide variety of workshops will take place, as well as a ride-and-drive of 2002-model vehicles. Fleet Expo 2001 will be held Sept. 23-25, 2001 at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The conference is sponsored by Automotive Fleet, Business Fleet, and Fleet Financials magazines.

Response from attendees of last year's Fleet Expo has been positive, and attendance for Fleet Expo 2001 is expected to be more than 1,000 fleet managers.

"I felt the seminar topics wre interesting for a small fleet operator like myself," said Scott Melda, who oversees 15 vehicles as transportation coordinator for Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. "Talking to and listening to the different people in my field helped me understand I'm not alone with my problems."

Seminars for All Types of Fleet Managers Offered

There are three different professional tracks to address different types of fleet managers: basic management, operational intelligence, and government and utility fleets. The "Basic Management" track will include workshops that will focus on making policy and establishing eligibility, selecting simple software for basic control, ways to cut costs, determining vehicle replacement cycles and lifecycle costing, matching model selections and determining how to buy, and how to not get burned by a lease.

The "Operational Intelligence" track will cover developing and improving dealer relations, leasing and outsource management, truck/van upfitting, spec'ing and ordering, the importance of a cost-saving fuel program, used-vehicle resale options, accident prevention, and mining software resources.

Finally, Fleet Expo 2001 will feature a ride-and-drive event that will include 2002-model-year vehicles from all major manufacturers.

New Courses for Government and Utility Fleet Managers

Tentative subjects for classes in the "Government & Utility track are: Recruiting Personnel: This course deals with how to overcome the difficulties in recruiting qualified technicians. Outsourcing Pros & Cons: How to resolve economic and personnel issues when outsourcing. Methods to Control Maintenance & Depreciation: Focus will be on key points in selection, cycling, and maintenance controls. Q&A Open Workshop: Veteran Panelists will provide suggestions to solving problems posed by the audience.