Out of all transportation sectors and fleet types, the one changing the fastest is delivery. Fleet operators tasked with getting goods and people to where they need to go are subject to the sharp fluctuations of the $800 billion e-commerce market, in addition to managing supply chain, inflation, and workforce disruptions. 

The opening keynote address for DeliveryCon, convening Oct. 16-18 in Las Vegas, will share insights into how delivery fleet operators — from last-mile contractors to corporate fleets — can adjust to meet these challenges.  

In the seminar “The Changing Role of Fleets in Today’s Delivery & Logistics Markets” a blue-ribbon panel will discuss issues around supply chains, fuel prices and driver wages, vehicle choice and pricing, and parts and labor costs and shortages, along with pressures such as same-day deliveries and tighter delivery windows.

They’ll examine these issues through a fleet lens, providing strategies for greater uptime and more efficient fleet operations.

The panel consists of Grace Bay, CEO of Patton Logistics and Hello Truck Lease; Dan McDonough, director of operations for Auto Park Fleet; Jeb Lopez, CEO and owner of Wheelz Up; and Tony Rimas, venture partner with Autotech Ventures.

Toni Tovi, founder and president of Bright Flag Recruiting, will moderate the panel. 

Bay comes from a fleet background as the former COO of Patton Logistics' entire operation of FedEx Ground routes across 10 states. Bay brings firsthand experience overseeing multiple layers of management and hundreds of drivers, and she’s used that experience to coach FedEx contractors on how to manage multiple operational scenarios.

McDonough’s career in the automotive industry spans 41 years with car dealerships, body companies, and other automotive-related businesses. McDonough helped to grow Auto Park Fleet into the largest dealership in the country serving parcel delivery fleets.

Lopez started Wheelz Up with two second-hand vans as a local courier service delivering auto parts to dealerships and automotive companies. Featured on CNBC’s “Blue Collar Millionaires” program, Lopez serves various delivery verticals, including as an Amazon delivery service partner, with over 300 vans and 330 employees in five states.

Rimas brings a wide range of experience in many segments of the automotive industry, including retail, financial services, aftermarket, and fleet services. The present CEO of Repair OnDemand, Rimas was also the co-founder and managing partner of FM Capital, where he led and managed many disruptive automotive investments.  

Tovi will moderate the panel. Before founding Bright Flag, which specializes in the last-mile delivery space, Tovi managed four separate FedEx Ground operations simultaneously. A social media influencer in trucking, shipping, and logistics, Tovi regularly speaks at industry events.  

“This panel defines the term ‘blue ribbon,’” said Chris Brown, conference chair. “The panelists are top of their fields in the dealer, operator, supplier, and financial sectors of the market. Come join us in Vegas to hear their unique perspectives and what really matters for fleets in this ever-changing world.”

The opening keynote will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

About DeliveryCon

In association with Automotive Fleet, Work Truck, and Heavy Duty Trucking, DeliveryCon features keynotes, education sessions, an expo hall, and networking with the goal to help delivery fleets discover new efficiencies, tools, and technologies to keep their wheels on the road. 

DeliveryCon is for delivery fleets of all types. High-mileage fleets are also encouraged to attend, such as passenger shuttle services, grocery and refrigerated transport, franchised services, and beverage distribution. 

The inaugural DeliveryCon will take place Oct. 16-18 at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. Registration is open now. 

DeliveryCon’s educational seminars and speaker lineup will delve into topics around: 

• vehicle procurement, spec’ing & upfitting

• preventive maintenance & repairs

• routing & logistics

• driver hiring & retention

• vehicle & driver safety

• parts procurement 

• electrification & new technologies

• order-to-delivery times 

• technicians & drivers

• operational costs & TCO

• tire management 

• remarketing

• and more

“For delivery fleets, uptime is everything — yet achieving uptime is more challenging in this era of supply chain disruptions, parts-ordering delays, elongated order-to-delivery times, and limited vehicle availability,” said Brown. 

“DeliveryCon will zero in on those challenges. Attendees will bring back real solutions to enable peak performance in their fleets and keep their drivers safe and productive. Come join us in October!