Related: 2016 AFLA Conference in Pictures
Opening Day of 2016 AFLA Conference Receives Rave Reviews
The 2016 Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA) annual conference, which will be held Sept. 18-21, 2016, in San Diego, got off to a strong start with a series of opening day presentations.

Automotive Fleet Editor Mike Antich presents at the 2016 AFLA Conference. Photo courtesy of AFLA.

Automotive Fleet Editor Mike Antich presents at the 2016 AFLA Conference. Photo courtesy of AFLA.
The 2016 Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA) annual conference, which will be held Sept. 18-21, 2016, in San Diego, got off to a strong start with a series of opening day presentations.
The conference attracted more than 500 fleet managers and industry professionals. The theme for the 2016 conference is “Mission Possible: Identify, Engage, Execute.”

Keynote speaker Dave Rutherford discussed how to use in business the values and lessons learned as a Navy Seal. Photo courtesy of AFLA.
The opening day keynote speaker was David Rutherford, a former Navy Seal, who provided insight into living a team-oriented lifestyle necessary to achieve elite levels of success.
Another opening day speaker was Ken Kies, managing director of the Federal Policy Group, who examined the current political environment in U.S. and how the upcoming elections will affect the industry in the future.

Attendees were entertained Monday evening on a dinner cruise of San Diego harbor. Photo courtesy of AFLA.
This presentation was followed by a panel discussion entitled, "5 Trends of the Fleet Industry" featured five presenters:
CAFE Regulations – Bo Saulsbury of Oak Ridge National Lab
Fleet Safety – Chris Stites of SambaSafety
Global Fleet – Michael Bieger of ADP
Outsourcing – Mark Smith of Element Fleet Management
Technology as a Change Agent – Mike Antich of Automotive Fleet
Attendees were entertained Monday evening on a dinner cruise of San Diego harbor.
More Operations

Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility
Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?
Read More →
The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations
This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.
Read More →
How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft
A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.
Read More →
Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap
Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.
Read More →
Here's When You Should Make an Exception to Fleet Policy
Fleet policies are designed to create consistency, but not every driver or situation fits neatly within standard rules.
Read More →
AI-Native or AI-Acquired: What Should Fleet Managers Look for in an AI Platform?
Six questions can help fleet managers look beyond AI marketing claims to evaluate integration, data access, and real-world operational performance.
Read More →
A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027
Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.
Read More →
What Will Shape the Next Era of Fleet Management?
EVs, AI, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping fleet management. Discover what’s ahead—and how fleet leaders can prepare for the next era.
Read More →
How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles
Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.
Read More →
Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands
Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.
Read More →
