As the fleet industry faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities, what innovative solutions and collaborations will emerge from events like the 2024 Global Fleet Conference (GFC)?

Bobit CEO Colin Sutherland recently spoke with Automotive Fleet Associate Publisher Chris Brown about the upcoming conference in San Diego.

Sutherland shared his perspective on the state of the current global fleet market and the combination of GFC with Fleet Forward (FFC) and Fleet Safety Conferences (FSC) to form Fleet Week.

According to Brown, GFC started in 2013 and is now in its 11th year. It is usually held in South Florida, but with the creation of Fleet Week, the conference has been moved to San Diego.

Connecting the Dots and Engaging the Fleet Community

In terms of the market in previous years, Sutherland explains challenges were seen more around procurement and regulatory compliance in 2018, but, "I think a lot of that's been resolved here and there. Today, it seems to be very much around the impact supply chain is having now on global fleet," he said.

Sutherland emphasizes how fleet is interconnected through the global supply chain, affecting how the industry works intermodally. This interconnectedness can change how global fleets work together through multiple modes of mobility in transportation, from a container on a ship to last-mile delivery.

Outside of global market issues, Sutherland will attend GFC this year as a publisher and looks forward to speaking with attendees about their marketing issues.

"What is our role as a publisher? What's the accountability that we have to communicate the topics that are most meaningful for our fleet community: the supplier side or the fleet side? And then, how can we tell those in new, compelling ways?" Sutherland said.

Sutherland is excited to reconnect with the fleet community and explore other important topics for 2025, including procurement, ESG goals, safety, and fleet partnerships.

By registering for Global Fleet Conference, participants can also attend Fleet Forward and Fleet Safety Conferences. Don't delay — register now!