PRINCETON, NJ - For the second straight year, NAFA’s Institute & Expo features three Keynote Speakers who have all figured prominently in the news recently, adding to the already high excitement for the event. The annual conference of fleet managers and fleet professionals, which is flying high with record registrations, will likely be standing room only when these three Keynote Speakers take to the podium in Charlotte April 9-12.

Sunday, April 10 -- Shane Terblanche, Vice President & General Manager, Navistar Electric Vehicles
Within President Obama’s call for a one-third cut in oil imports by 2020 is a push for more electric vehicles on our roads.  Navistar, which holds the distinction of shipping the first electric vehicle produced as a result of Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is expected to play a large role in this change of direction.  Attendees will hear Terblanche’s thoughts on how electric vehicles can help reduce America’s dependence on foreign petroleum.

Monday, April 11 – Don Esmond, Senior Vice President – Automotive Operations, Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.
One month after the Department of Transportation released results from its unprecedented ten-month study of potential electronics-based causes for unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the Japanese auto manufacturer faced new problems – a major earthquake and tsunami that halted production within the company’s factories exactly when demand for its Prius was soaring due to rising gas prices. Attendees will get a rare opportunity to see a major executive speak during a series of crisis situations like these.

Tuesday, April 12 – Joe Gibbs, NFL Hall Of Fame Coach and NASCAR Racing Team Owner
While Kyle Busch of his racing team has been one of the hottest drivers in NASCAR, Gibbs returned to the headlines with his former sport when he weighed in on how a prolonged lockout would affect the NFL. Gibbs, who lives in Charlotte, coached two teams which won Super Bowls following work stoppages and will surely have plenty to say in front of an audience of fleet professionals who are big football and racing fans.

In addition to the Keynote Speakers, the I&E features over 60 hours of fleet training, education, and workshops including many brand-new sessions designed specifically for veteran corporate fleet managers. The expo floor, which has been sold out for weeks, is filled with over 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services within the fleet industry. In addition, popular events such as the Public Safety Roadeo and the Green Zone return.

Several of the fleet industry’s most important awards including NAFA’s Sustainability Award, Larry Goill Quality Fleet Management Idea Award, Government Fleet’s Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year, Automotive Fleet’s Fleet Manager of the Year, and Fleet Financials’ Fleet Executive of the Year will be presented during the conference as well. 

Fleet professionals still have time to register for the I&E through either full conference packages, one day, or two day passes. For more information, visit http://www.nafainstitute.org.