Focus on fleets

Today's private fleet professional continues to function under immense pressure to deliver exceptional performance. Managers are expected to be leading edge, with new solutions and innovative ideas geared toward optimizing fleet operations. In this demanding climate, and with those expectations in mind, NPTC has packed its 2010 Annual Education Management Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for April 18-20 in Cincinnati, with state-of-the-industry insights and practices — forged in real world “test tracks” of leading private fleet practitioners. This event is designed to deliver exceptional take-away value.

“There is little doubt that we are entering an unprecedented year in terms of demands and expectations,” said Ralph Benson, president of Sentinel Transportation and chairman of the NPTC Conference Planning Committee. “Private fleet professionals must call upon all resources in their search for new ideas and programs that deliver the greatest value of efficiency and cost containment. We have packed the agenda with an exciting, hard-hitting line-up of informative speakers for both general sessions and workshops.”

Keynote speakers headlining this year's annual conference include:

• Larry Ahlers, vp-transportation for Oldcastle Architectural Products Group (APG). His speech will highlight the purpose, strengths, challenges and creative solutions of the company's private fleet. Larry is responsible for the development and execution of domestic/international transportation and logistics programs, including both inbound and outbound shipments at APG's 230 locations within the U.S. and eastern Canada.

• Dan Baker, back by popular demand to serve as Master of Ceremonies and featured speaker to honor this year's Driver Hall of Fame winners. A native of Texas, Dan travels extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada working with hundreds of trucking operations, including many private fleets.

• Mike Cole, director of North American Transportation for Kraft Foods, responsible for all transportation, customs and outside storage. Mike has been with Kraft/Nabisco for ten years, joining the company in 1998 prior to the Kraft acquisition. In addition to Kraft, he worked at Frito-Lay for 15 years, with positions in sales, operations and distribution.

The Conference agenda also features two general sessions devoted to environmental sustainability and private fleet justification. In addition, the Annual Conference Planning Committee, which is comprised of fleet and allied members, has developed a slate of 22 educational workshops to be presented by the private fleet community's most experienced practitioners.

Rounding out the three-day program, the NPTC 2010 Exhibition and Trade Show will feature an extensive showcase of fleet products and services from leading industry suppliers featuring the latest in product development and state-of-the-art technology for today's demanding fleet operations.

The NPTC Annual Conference affords ample business networking opportunities, allowing attendees to establish and build upon peer-to-peer relationships of lasting value throughout the course of the year.

Remember, in order to get the most from NPTC, “You Must Be Present To Win!”

Gary Petty is president and CEO of the National Private Truck Council. The council's web site is www.nptc.org. His column appears monthly in FLEET OWNER.