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SEARCHFleet and mobility leaders will take to the track in 2026 for a friendly race to inspire innovation and STEM education.
Lauren Fletcher and Chris Brown will lead their teams in bringing innovation, teamwork, and fun to the track at the Fleet Forward Conference (FFC) as they partner with the International Soap Box Derby to launch the Fleet Forward Soap Box Derby Challenge.
Photo: Dennis VanFossen Jr.
The Fleet Forward Conference (FFC) will add a creative and collaborative new element to its 2025 event in San Diego on Wednesday, October 22, when representatives from the International Soap Box Derby introduce the Fleet Forward Soap Box Derby Challenge.
The initiative will invite fleets, suppliers, and conference partners to design, build, and sponsor their own soapbox racers, culminating in a friendly head-to-head competition in Akron, Ohio, in August 2026.
The first entrants in the challenge will be Lauren Fletcher and Chris Brown from Bobit, who will lead their organizations in Akron. Teams will be encouraged to bring creativity, collaboration, and a spirit of innovation to their builds, with sponsorship opportunities available for companies that want to join in the fun and community impact.
Founded in 1934, the International Soap Box Derby is a nonprofit youth gravity-racing, education, and leadership organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation of champions and promoting STEM learning through hands-on design and competition.
Its programs emphasize perseverance, sportsmanship, and community. These values align closely with FFC’s mission to accelerate innovation and leadership across the fleet and mobility industries.
By partnering with the Soap Box Derby, Fleet Forward aims to showcase how creative design, teamwork, and engineering can drive new ideas both on the track and in the mobility space. Details on how fleets and suppliers can participate or sponsor a racer will be announced following the conference.
The 2025 Fleet Forward Conference will convene fleet, mobility, and technology leaders for three days of education, hands-on experiences, and networking focused on the future of fleet.
From breakout sessions and mainstage keynotes to the signature Ride & Drive experience, the Fleet Forward Conference delivers actionable insights and fresh perspectives for fleets at every stage of transformation.
New for 2025, the conference’s educational program is organized around six foundational pillars that define the future of fleet operations:
Mobility & Autonomy: exploring the shift to electric and autonomous fleets.
Data Integration, AI & Predictive Intelligence: unlocking real-time insights from connected platforms.
Global Strategy: offering a worldwide view of fleet challenges and innovation.
Fleet Safety & Risk: focused on protecting people and assets.
Infrastructure & Energy: addressing scalable electrification solutions; and
People, Talent & Culture: equipping fleets to build and support high-performing teams.
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