By Mark Petersen, AFLA Education Committee Chair
The Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA) held its inaugural Mid-Year Forum on May 1st at The Enterprise Center at Burlington County College in Mount Laurel, NJ, a Philadelphia suburb. This one-day event was organized by the AFLA Education Committee as part of an ongoing initiative to add educational value for AFLA members.
Scott Pattullo, Senior Vice President of Sales, Wheels, kicked off the day leading a presentation and think tank discussion on “Fleet from 10,000 Feet: Where We’ve Been, Where We Are and Where We’re Going.” Combining his years of experience in the industry with a sense of humor, Scott’s presentation explored how the fleet industry has changed and the difficulties that we can expect to face in the coming months and years. The smaller Forum environment was a perfect match for the think tank discussion, and all in attendance walked away from the session with a deeper understanding of the issues we are currently facing and how to prepare for the future in fleet.
After lunch, Phil Moser, Vice President, Advanced Driver Training Services, led a session on “Personal Safety for the Business Traveler.” Phil’s unique background as a police officer translated to a wonderfully informative and unique presentation covering carjacking, police stops and fake police, air travel, hotel safety and street safety. Phil is an engaging presenter, able to connect with the audience and keep things light while covering serious issues.
Rounding out the day, Evan Marcus, DillonMarcus Executive Retreats, brought everyone to their feet with “It’s O.K. to Play” which explores how to utilize the elements of play to enhance your organization. Mid-Year Forum attendees took part in a “Rock, Paper, Scissors” competition, which culminated in rousing cheers as Jim Creighton won. Evan’s session was based on his book by the same title, which explores the psychological effects of play and how it results in better focus, energy and a more collaborative team.
Overall, the Mid-Year Forum attendees rated the day as “Excellent” and a great learning experience. Keep an eye out for information on future Mid-Year Forums, and be sure to register! As one attendee put it, “Too bad for those that missed this!”
