NAFA: One Year Later
Thanks to an ambitious Strategic Plan, NAFA Fleet Management Association, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, has made strides to move the association forward for the next fifty years.
Princeton, NJ, March 29, 2009 --(PR.com)-- In the beginning of 2008, NAFA launched a dynamic, new logo for the Association. In the months that followed, the rebranding continued by leading the way in fleet education and environmental issues, providing new and improved communications, and even moving towards a more global outlook. Looking back, the steps taken in 2008 have signaled a new era for NAFA, one that will carry the Association forward through its next fifty years.
Education
NAFA achieved one of its most sought-after goals in the Strategic Plan through the creation of a partnership with Ferris State University of Michigan. The arrangement, announced at a press conference in Salt Lake City during the Institute & Expo in May, includes a four-step degree plan that begins with awarding CAFM program participants 12 semester hours of college credit for successful completion of the program and ends with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a minor in Fleet Management.
The Association remained on the forefront of fleet education with the introduction of the Advanced Fleet Management Seminar. Designed to cover the tougher concepts in the CAFM curriculum and fielded by some of NAFA's best CAFM instructors, the seminar provides an environment where interactive discussion with subject matter experts and practical exercises in two disciplines let attendees gain simulated experience to ensure mastery of fleet management.
In addition to these accomplishments, the number of active participants in the CAFM program climbed to well over 500. And while the CAFM program remains the premier certification for the fleet industry, a new Certified Automotive Fleet Supervisor (CAFS) certification program was established for those in fleet who have successfully completed the first four disciplines: Fleet Information Management, Maintenance Management, Professional Development, and Vehicle Fuel Management.
Environment
NAFA's standing in the fleet industry was apparent when representatives from the Association met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April to provide fleet perspectives on EPA's pending regulation for mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases. There was extended discussion on several issues, including many different fueling scenarios used by fleets, from central fueling to credit card purchases to remote fueling facilities. NAFA was encouraged to learn that EPA was very interested in better understanding the challenges that a reporting requirement might cause for fleets and looks forward to similar meetings in the future.
The Association also created the Green Fleet Awards to honor individuals who have implemented pioneering, innovative, and creative programs to help with their company's overall "going green" initiative. The first awards were handed out at the I&E in front of a sprawling audience that was much larger than expected. The Green Fleet Awards will be handed out annually and help further NAFA's commitment to environmental issues.
The Association more recently held its first ever webinar on "EPA Clean Diesel Funding 2009: How To Take Advantage Of DERA Funds To Apply For The Purchase Of Hybrid Trucks". This webinar, held in conjunction with the Environmental Defense Fund, gave insight and provided valuable information regarding criteria for funding, estimated timeline, and next steps for interested fleets.
Communications
Changing the Association's logo was only the first step; NAFA also replaced Fleet Executive with FLEETSolutions as its official publication and gave it a new, contemporary design, a new digital version, and editorial that focused on the eight core disciplines of fleet management. FleetFOCUS, the Association's email newsletter, was also revamped as well. In addition, NAFA launched a new website specifically for the annual Institute & Expo (www.nafaIandE.org) and introduced a completely redesigned main website (www.NAFA.org).
Going Global
In September, NAFA broke new ground when it presented its first ever Fleet Management Seminar in both French and English. Held in Montreal, the sold-out FMS attracted fleet managers from all across Canada. The development of a French version of the FMS showed NAFA's commitment to opening the doors to quality fleet management education to everyone.
And, in October, NAFA began soliciting bids for a new International Fleet Management Seminar, which will eventually take the Association across the globe. The timing of the announcement was just a few weeks before Gayle Pratt, NAFA's President, was among the final candidates for the 2008 International Fleet Manager of the Year award presented by MMM Business Media International (publisher of Fleet Europe Magazine.)
Now, the Association's Institute & Expo is just weeks away. Attended annually by thousands of fleet professionals, this event is to be held in New Orleans, LA at the Morial Convention Center, running from April 25-28, 2009. The conference and exhibit hall are sure to be the launching point for even more announcements of future endeavors to elevate the fleet professional and industry.
About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association is a not-for-profit, individual membership professional society serving the needs of members who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the vehicle fleet management profession. NAFA's Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles – including in excess of 1.1 million trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org
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Education
NAFA achieved one of its most sought-after goals in the Strategic Plan through the creation of a partnership with Ferris State University of Michigan. The arrangement, announced at a press conference in Salt Lake City during the Institute & Expo in May, includes a four-step degree plan that begins with awarding CAFM program participants 12 semester hours of college credit for successful completion of the program and ends with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a minor in Fleet Management.
The Association remained on the forefront of fleet education with the introduction of the Advanced Fleet Management Seminar. Designed to cover the tougher concepts in the CAFM curriculum and fielded by some of NAFA's best CAFM instructors, the seminar provides an environment where interactive discussion with subject matter experts and practical exercises in two disciplines let attendees gain simulated experience to ensure mastery of fleet management.
In addition to these accomplishments, the number of active participants in the CAFM program climbed to well over 500. And while the CAFM program remains the premier certification for the fleet industry, a new Certified Automotive Fleet Supervisor (CAFS) certification program was established for those in fleet who have successfully completed the first four disciplines: Fleet Information Management, Maintenance Management, Professional Development, and Vehicle Fuel Management.
Environment
NAFA's standing in the fleet industry was apparent when representatives from the Association met with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April to provide fleet perspectives on EPA's pending regulation for mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases. There was extended discussion on several issues, including many different fueling scenarios used by fleets, from central fueling to credit card purchases to remote fueling facilities. NAFA was encouraged to learn that EPA was very interested in better understanding the challenges that a reporting requirement might cause for fleets and looks forward to similar meetings in the future.
The Association also created the Green Fleet Awards to honor individuals who have implemented pioneering, innovative, and creative programs to help with their company's overall "going green" initiative. The first awards were handed out at the I&E in front of a sprawling audience that was much larger than expected. The Green Fleet Awards will be handed out annually and help further NAFA's commitment to environmental issues.
The Association more recently held its first ever webinar on "EPA Clean Diesel Funding 2009: How To Take Advantage Of DERA Funds To Apply For The Purchase Of Hybrid Trucks". This webinar, held in conjunction with the Environmental Defense Fund, gave insight and provided valuable information regarding criteria for funding, estimated timeline, and next steps for interested fleets.
Communications
Changing the Association's logo was only the first step; NAFA also replaced Fleet Executive with FLEETSolutions as its official publication and gave it a new, contemporary design, a new digital version, and editorial that focused on the eight core disciplines of fleet management. FleetFOCUS, the Association's email newsletter, was also revamped as well. In addition, NAFA launched a new website specifically for the annual Institute & Expo (www.nafaIandE.org) and introduced a completely redesigned main website (www.NAFA.org).
Going Global
In September, NAFA broke new ground when it presented its first ever Fleet Management Seminar in both French and English. Held in Montreal, the sold-out FMS attracted fleet managers from all across Canada. The development of a French version of the FMS showed NAFA's commitment to opening the doors to quality fleet management education to everyone.
And, in October, NAFA began soliciting bids for a new International Fleet Management Seminar, which will eventually take the Association across the globe. The timing of the announcement was just a few weeks before Gayle Pratt, NAFA's President, was among the final candidates for the 2008 International Fleet Manager of the Year award presented by MMM Business Media International (publisher of Fleet Europe Magazine.)
Now, the Association's Institute & Expo is just weeks away. Attended annually by thousands of fleet professionals, this event is to be held in New Orleans, LA at the Morial Convention Center, running from April 25-28, 2009. The conference and exhibit hall are sure to be the launching point for even more announcements of future endeavors to elevate the fleet professional and industry.
About NAFA Fleet Management Association
NAFA Fleet Management Association is a not-for-profit, individual membership professional society serving the needs of members who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the vehicle fleet management profession. NAFA's Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles – including in excess of 1.1 million trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org
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Contact
NAFA Fleet Management Association
Gary Wien
609-986-1053
www.nafa.org
Gary Wien
609-986-1053
www.nafa.org
Contact
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