AFLA 2023: The Best is Yet to Come [Photos]

Leasing•Photos 17•November 3, 2023

The Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association's (AFLA) 2023 corporate fleet conference was held Oct. 2-5 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California. The theme of the conference, "The Best is Yet to Come," is an ode to Frank Sinatra, who lived in Palm Springs for 50 years and made his final performance at the same hotel.

Among the educational sessions, networking events, and award presentations, this year's conference featured keynote presentations from Sherine Clarke, Mike Pitcher, and adventurer Jamie Clarke, who shared his experiences climbing all Seven Summits.

Topics:AFLA Industry Events AFLA Conference Fleet Leasing Leasing

AFLA attendees enjoy the warm Palm Spring night at the networking reception.
Photo: AFLA

Outgoing AFLA President Steve Bender addresses the crowd.
Photo: AFLA

This session discussed what fleets are doing to overcome supply chain challenges.
Photo: AFLA

Educational seminars covered fleet safety, electrification, connected vehicle trends, sustainability, and creative solutions to all of these issues.
Photo: AFLA

Mike Pitcher brought his four decades of leadership experience to his keynote presentation, "The Best is Yet to Come."
Photo: AFLA

Sherine Clarke encouraged attendees to embrace their personal power in her WIFM (Women in Fleet Management) keynote.
Photo: AFLA

Participants in the golf outing pause for a photo by the resort pool.
Photo: AFLA

Laura Jozwiak of Wheels (right) pauses for a photo with industry colleagues.
Photo: AFLA

The AFLA communications task force wishes member Carlos Oropeza from Wheels could've made it to Palm Springs.
Photo: AFLA

(l-r) Steve Diogo, Kimberly Fisher director, global fleet & travel for National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Laura Jozwiak of Wheels, Mike Antich, and Steve Bender celebrate Fisher's winning the 2023 Fleet Manager of the Year award.
Photo: AFLA

Attendees celebrate during the awards dinner.
Photo: AFLA

Suresh Rajapakse of Wheels makes a point during the Industry Update seminar.
Photo: AFLA

Jamie Clarke, internationally acclaimed explorer, adventurer, and business leader, shared his inspirational experience climbing the Seven Summits.
Photo: AFLA

Steve Diogo of Bobit (left), AFLA President Steve Bender, and Mike Antich (right) pose with Ed Peper of GM fleet, who was inducted into the Fleet Hall of Fame.
Photo: AFLA

Bobit's Steve Diogo (left), Steve Bender, and Bobit's Mike Antich (right) stand with Fleet Hall of Fame inductee Sherry Calkins of Geotab.
Photo: AFLA

(l-r) Steve Diogo, Steve Bender, Eric McCann, director of fleet sustainability and technology for Bimbo USA, Brad Burgess of Merchants Fleet, and Mike Antich celebrate McCann being named Fleet Visionary.
Photo: AFLA

Attendees pause their conversations for a photo during one of the networking breaks.
Photo: AFLA