Fleet professionals navigating rapid changes in technology, regulation, and operations can now register for the 2026 Fleet Forward Conference, taking place Oct. 20-22 at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C.

Held on the East Coast for the first time, this year's conference centers on the theme "Leading Fleets Through Transformation." The program will bring together fleet, mobility, and technology leaders for three days of education, networking, and hands-on experiences exploring the forces reshaping fleet management.

"Fleet Forward Conference has always been about looking ahead, and this year our location reflects that mission," said Chris Brown, conference chair.

"Being just minutes from Washington, D.C., puts attendees at the crossroads of transportation policy, technology, and business. It's also our most accessible location yet for fleet professionals throughout the eastern United States, making it easier than ever to join the conversations shaping the future of fleet."

Education Focused on Fleet Transformation

The educational program is organized around six pillars reflecting today's evolving fleet landscape:

• Mobility & Autonomy
• Data Integration, AI & Predictive Intelligence
• Global Strategy
• Fleet Safety & Risk
• Infrastructure & Energy
• People, Talent & Culture

Attendees will hear from fleet executives, researchers, policymakers, and technology leaders addressing the industry's most pressing challenges.

The program includes keynote presentations from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) President David Harkey, who will share early findings from the organization's commercial vehicle safety research.

In the closing keynote, Merchants Fleet’s CEO Matt Dyer will discuss how the fleet profession is evolving into a more strategic business function.

Additional educational sessions and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, expanding the conference program with practical case studies, fleet leadership discussions, and technology-focused presentations.

New IIHS Crash Test Experience

New for 2026, registered attendees will have the opportunity to participate in the IIHS Crash Test Experience, an optional behind-the-scenes visit to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Vehicle Research Center in Virginia.

The experience includes a guided facility tour, a live vehicle crash test, and hands-on demonstrations of advanced crash-avoidance technologies, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), rear AEB, and self-parking systems. Attendees will also gain insight into IIHS's vehicle safety research and testing procedures, with demonstrations expected to include commercial vehicle safety technologies such as delivery van AEB systems.

"This is a rare opportunity to see the technologies shaping fleet safety tested in a real-world research environment," Brown said. "Fleet managers who have experienced IIHS crash tests have told us it was one of the most impactful experiences of their careers."

The IIHS Crash Test Experience is available exclusively to registered Fleet Forward Conference attendees.

Collocation with NAFA's Fleet Safety Symposium

FFC attendees can also register separately for NAFA’s Fleet Safety Symposium, a full-day certificate program taking place Oct. 19, immediately before the conference opens.

The symposium will focus on building safer fleet operations through leadership, driver engagement, emerging technologies, and organizational culture.

Participants who complete the program and pass the certification exam will earn NAFA's Fleet Safety Certificate, while also networking with fleet safety professionals from across North America.