Tariffs, Talent, and Technology Draw Thousands to NAFA’s Institute & Expo 2025—The Premier Fleet Event

Fleet professionals from North America and around the world converged on Long Beach, California, last week (April 28–30) for NAFA’s annual Institute & Expo. The fleet event of the year brought together 2,100+ fleet and mobility professionals eager to connect with their peers and dive into today’s top fleet issues: the effect of tariffs on the fleet supply chain, the ongoing challenge around recruiting and motivating talent, and the AI-infused technologies delivering new levels of efficiency and data.

At the largest event since 2018, I&E attendees came from 48 U.S. states, 14 countries, and 7 Canadian provinces and were extraordinarily engaged in the 45+ conference sessions, numerous networking events, and with the 225+ exhibitors on the exhibit floor.

I&E is the premier professional development and networking event for fleet professionals in every segment, including corporate, government, public safety, utility, education, and more. This year’s theme, “Propel Your Fleet,” was infused throughout the educational sessions, which targeted key topic areas such as emerging technologies, leadership, legislative advocacy, DEIA, law enforcement, operations management, safety, strategy, sustainability, technicians, and sessions specifically for those new to fleet.

“Efficiency, sustainability, and safety inspire and drive everything we do at NAFA,” said NAFA CEO Bill Schankel, CAE. “Our mission is to help members achieve operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the safety of drivers and passengers as well as those who share the road with them.”

Hot topics throughout the event included anything related to tariffs, regulations, and the supply chain; AI solutions for fleet management; driver safety; data-driven strategies; recruiting top talent and motivating fleet teams; and the ongoing transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Attendees spent two days in the state-of-the-art I&E Expo Hall—an immersive hub of innovation and problem-solving—with more than 225 exhibitors, featuring a diverse spectrum of solutions tailored to the evolving needs of fleet operations. From leading OEMs unveiling their latest vehicle models, to upfitters showcasing customizable equipment, to cutting-edge technology, telematics, and data analytics providers transforming how fleets operate—every corner of the Expo Hall offered fresh ideas, expert guidance, and breakthrough products. Whether looking to streamline operations, adopt sustainable solutions, or integrate smarter tools, attendees found answers to their biggest challenges and inspiration for what’s next.

This year’s I&E introduced several enhancements—based on attendee and exhibitor feedback from previous years—aimed at delivering even greater value and impact.

• The popular education sessions expanded with more than 11 fleet categories and 45+ sessions.
• Exhibit Hall hours were extended, giving participants more time to explore the latest fleet products and services from a wide spectrum of exhibitors.
• Popular features like the Innovations Showcase returned for its third year, highlighting cutting-edge technologies making a real impact on fleet operations.
• The Ride & Drive returned for its second year, offering hands-on experiences with the latest makes and models.
• New additions included the Indoor EV Test Track, sponsored by Inspiration Fleet, where attendees could ride alongside experts in the newest electric vehicles.
• The New Exhibitor Pavilion provided even more opportunities to discover fresh solutions.

“It’s always such a thrill to watch it all come alive when our community gets together in person,” said Schankel. “To see NAFA members and I&E attendees enjoying the new offerings this year—like the Indoor EV Test Track and the expansion of exhibit hall hours—really shows how the event continues to grow and evolve in response to the needs of our members” he added.

The I&E networking opportunities offered throughout the event helped attendees connect with others in their geographical region, forge new partnerships, and strengthen existing ones.

NAFA Board President Maria Neve, Vice President, eFMC Services at Inspiration Mobility, provided highlights from the year, including:

• NAFA’s growing membership roster of 3,400+ members strong
• Nearly 100 local networking group regional events in 2024
• The graduating class of nearly 70 new Certified Automotive Fleet Managers (CAFMs)
• The launch of all-new eLearning educational content
• A new certificate in Fleet Safety, and coming soon, a new Fleet Safety eLearning course
• The unveiling of the updated Sustainable Fleet Guidebook, to expand NAFA’s Automotive Fleet Guidebook Series to nine titles
• Significant strides forward in advocacy and legislative impact

Neve said, “It is an honor and a career highlight to serve as your board president, and I am grateful for each of the very smart thought leaders who serve alongside me.”

Recognizing the vital role fleets play, NAFA highlighted this during its General Session. Schankel remarked, “NAFA is proud to host the 2025 Institute & Expo in California—a state that has witnessed firsthand the critical role of fleets in times of emergency response. From the California wildfires to the floods in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, from East Coast hurricanes to the Canadian wildfires — fleet teams are there, ensuring help arrives when and where it is needed most. Your work saves lives, supports communities, and makes a real difference.”

Here are some highlights from this year’s event:

Tom Johnson Award. Patti Earley, CAFM, fleet fuel manager at Florida Power & Light, is the recipient of the inaugural Tom Johnson Award. This award was created to honor the legacy of Tom Johnson, founder of the 100 Best Fleets in the Americas competition, the Green Fleet Awards, and the Green Garage Contest. The Tom Johnson Award recognizes fleet professionals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, mentorship, and long-term dedication to improving fleet operations and advancing the fleet industry.

100 Best Fleets in the Americas — Commercial and Public Awards. One of the most anticipated events at I&E is the unveiling of the 100 Best Fleets, which was hosted by Mike Brennan, the program’s chief judge. The 100 Best Fleets recognizes the top-performing fleets in the Americas. Brennan unveiled a selection of the award-winning fleets each day, building up to the excitement on day three when the top winners were announced. The #1 fleet in the public category is Palm Beach County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, and the #1 fleet in the commercial category is Charge, Inc. (See the complete rankings here.)

100 Best Fleets — Fleet Professional and Fleet Technician of the Year Awards. The 100 Best Fleets also bestows individual awards: Spire Energy’s Tom Keyser, CAFM, was named the 2025 Fleet Professional of the Year, and the City of Roanoke’s (Virginia) Roger Davis was named the 2025 Fleet Technician of the Year.

CAFM Graduation. NAFA’s Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) certification is the fleet profession’s most prestigious designation. With over 600 fleet professionals currently enrolled in the program and a graduating class of 70 new CAFMs in 2024, I&E showcased the recent CAFMs who walked the stage to receive their certificate in person. The recent graduating class of CAFMs came from over 20 states and 4 countries.

Keynotes. Artificial intelligence expert Timothy Papandreou provided an eye-opening look into the future of AI, which he describes as “the most powerful technology that will change your world forever.” Leadership coach and former U.S. fighter pilot Jack Becker provided actionable leadership strategies that drew parallels from the worlds of elite military aviators and fleet managers. Stellantis’ Jeffrey Kommor, senior vice president of U.S. sales, delivered the Industry Update address and encouraged fleet managers to connect with their OEM representatives to explore how they can support their fleet’s operational goals.

OEM Panel Discussion. The highly popular OEM Panel Discussion was moderated by Automotive Fleet’s Chris Brown and featured Gabriel Slack, sales enablement manager — fleet management companies, GM Envolve; Eric Swanson, vice president, commercial sales, East Region, Stellantis; Greg Wood, commercial and government sales general manager, Ford Pro; and Jerry Zielinski, senior manager of fleet and commercial sales, Nissan. The panel spoke candidly about how tariffs are affecting their operations, what fleet managers can expect in the coming weeks and months, and tips for building stronger OEM relationships to mitigate risks.

Media Day. The third annual I&E Media Day was a standing-room-only event that featured short press briefings from nearly a dozen leading companies debuting new technologies or services at I&E. The top fleet and automotive editors in the nation were treated to intriguing presentations showcasing everything from industry advancements in AI, virtual-reality-based education for technicians and other fleet professionals on the shop floor, and a customizable yet affordable electric truck platform. Review the groundbreaking news from I&E Media Day here.

Innovations Showcase People’s Choice Award. I&E’s Innovations Showcase spotlighted 14 new technology and service launches on a special stage in the Expo Hall. Attendees voted on their favorite technology, and the People’s Choice Award went to Geotab Vitality — a solution that creates safer roads for drivers and the communities they serve by motivating them through personalized coaching, gamification, and rewards.

FLEETSolutions Live Breakfast Panels. Each morning I&E opened with a robustly attended breakfast panel and featured thought-leading discussions on strategies for a safer, more efficient fleet; navigating tariffs and their impact on fleet operations; and the critical role that access to data will play in the future of fleet. The discussions were curated from the pages of NAFA’s popular FLEETSolutions magazine, allowing the panel to take the audience on a deeper dive into the publication’s hottest topics.

Ride & Drive and new Indoor EV Test Track, powered by Automotive Fleet. I&E’s outdoor Ride & Drive allowed attendees to get behind the wheel of the latest electric and alternative fuel vehicles.12 companies participated with more than 18 vehicles hitting the roadway. I&E’s first Indoor EV Test Track in the Expo Hall offered a unique ride-along experience where participants could explore firsthand the advancements in EV technology through seven EVs.

See the highlights from an exciting and successful I&E with the recently released 2025 I&E Photo Gallery! Relive the I&E experience with photos and videos from Long Beach.

NAFA extends its gratitude for the generous support of the 2025 I&E sponsors: Automotive Fleet, Enterprise Fleet Management, FASTER Asset Solutions, Fleetio, Fleetworthy, Geotab, Holman, Honda, Hyundai Motor America, Inspiration Fleet, IntelliShift, LEGEND, Merchants Fleet, Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada, Motive, Penske Transportation Solutions, RAM Professional, Reindeer Logistics, Rexel Energy, RTA: The Fleet Success Company, Samsara, Voyager Mastercard, and Wheels, Inc.

Look for more in-depth coverage of the keynotes, education sessions, debuting technologies, and more in the upcoming issue of FLEETSolutions magazine.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for next year’s I&E in beautiful Cleveland, Ohio, from April 13-15!