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Pre-Conference Events

SPECIAL ADD-ON PROGRAMMING!

NAFA offers I&E attendees the opportunity to get a jump start on their education through pre-conference events. These workshop-style events offer a deep-dive into fleet’s hot-topics.

All pre-conference programs will take place Sunday, April 12, 2026 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland.

For 2026, attendees will be able to participate in one of three pre-conference events:

  • Asset Management Certificate Program
  • Sustainable Fleet Management Certificate Program*
  • Navigating Regulatory and Financial Pathways for Fleet Decarbonization**

*Course is worth 4 CAFM Recertification Points
**Course is worth 3 CAFM Recertification Points

Select I&E pre-conference workshops are approved for Continuing Professional Education – CPE points – toward maintaining the Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) designation.

 

REGISTER TODAY

PRE-CONFERENCE 1:

Asset Management Certificate Program

Sunday, April 12, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Fleet management is asset management. These assets are a subset of the real properties owned or leased by an organization. Fleet professionals are responsible for the selection, procurement, use, care, and remarketing of their employer’s fleet vehicle and equipment assets. These individuals can also be responsible for non-fleet equipment and infrastructure. Fleet assets can be a significant segment of an organization’s total net value, and these assets represent a large portion of the total organizational operating expenses. How well these assets are managed can have a profound impact on the profitability of a company or the cost-effectiveness of a public agency. This course will cover: Strategic Sourcing, Vehicle Invoices and Pricing, Vehicle Selection, Specification Types and Development, Vehicle Procurement, Active Fleet Management, and Vehicle Remarketing.

Course includes:

  • Asset Management Digital Guidebook and Study Guide (sent starting April 1, 2026).
  • Online Exam: First sitting is included. Additional sittings may be purchased if needed.
  • Certificate will be awarded to all participants who pass the online exam by April 15, 2027.

Speaker:

Tim Coxwell, CAFM, CPFP, CEM 
Fleet Management Division Director
Leon County Sheriff’s Office

 

PRE-CONFERENCE 2: 

Sustainable Fleet Management Certificate Program

Sunday, April 12, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Things change quickly in the field of fleet sustainability, and everyone seems to have a different opinion about what you should do. Gain the tools and methodologies fleet managers need to create sustainable plans, to acquire sustainable fleet assets, and to implement eco-driving and change management practices that help fleets reach their organization’s sustainability goals. This course will explore: Building a Sustainable Fleet Program, Acquiring a Sustainable Fleet, Driver Training, Fleet Metrics, Fuel Tracking, Sustainable Leadership and Change Management.

Course includes:

  • Sustainable Fleet Management Digital Manual and Study Guide (sent starting April 1, 2026).
  • Online Exam – first sitting is included. Additional sittings may be purchased if needed.
  • Certificate will be awarded to all participants who pass the online exam by April 15, 2027.

Speaker:

Rick Sapienza
Wake Technical Community College
Dean Transportation Technologies/Director
Hendrick Center for Automotive Excellence

This course is worth 4 CAFM Recertification Points.

PRE-CONFERENCE 3:

Navigating Regulatory and Financial Pathways for Fleet Decarbonization

Sunday, April 12, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  |  Presented by ACT Expo

As regulations, incentives, and technologies rapidly evolve, public-sector and government fleet managers are navigating unprecedented complexity in their journey toward zero-emission and low-carbon operations. This comprehensive workshop—developed and delivered by the ACT Expo team—will equip fleet professionals with practical strategies to align compliance, funding, and sustainability goals, helping agencies stay ahead of policy changes while optimizing investments.

The program is divided into four 45-minute sessions, each addressing a critical component of successful fleet decarbonization:

  1. The Role of Regulations in Advancing Clean Fleets
    Where are we now—and what does it mean for government fleets today?
    Regulations at the federal, state, and local levels are accelerating the transition to cleaner transportation. This session provides a clear overview of the major policies shaping fleet operations—from zero-emission vehicle mandates and low-carbon fuel standards to infrastructure and procurement requirements. Attendees will gain insight into the current and emerging regulatory landscape, compliance timelines, and strategies to minimize cost and operational disruption.
  2. Building a Fleet Transition Plan That Gets Ahead of Requirements
    Decarbonizing a fleet requires more than vehicle replacement—it demands a strategic roadmap that integrates duty cycles, infrastructure, budgets, and workforce considerations. This session outlines the essential building blocks of a practical transition plan, enabling participants to anticipate mandates, align internal stakeholders, and maintain operational reliability while advancing sustainability targets.
  3. Understanding and Accessing Carbon Credits
    Carbon credits are becoming an increasingly viable tool for public fleets to capture value from emissions reductions. This session demystifies how carbon markets function, who qualifies, and what documentation is needed to participate. Attendees will explore how to quantify and verify emissions savings, identify eligible projects, and evaluate whether participation fits within their agency’s mission and compliance framework.
  4. Selecting and Maximizing Incentives for Fleet Transition
    The funding landscape for fleet decarbonization has evolved dramatically. Federal and state programs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and a growing network of utility and regional initiatives are reshaping how fleets plan and pay for technology transitions. This session provides practical guidance on identifying, stacking, and timing grants and incentives to maximize funding impact, stretch budgets, and accelerate project deployment.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Interpret key regulatory frameworks shaping clean fleet transitions and assess their implications for public-sector operations.
  • Develop comprehensive fleet transition plans that anticipate mandates and align with organizational priorities and budgets.
  • Evaluate and apply carbon credit mechanisms to capture additional value from verified emissions-reduction projects.
  • Identify and leverage evolving grant, rebate, and incentive programs to finance vehicle, infrastructure, and technology investments.
  • Integrate regulatory, financial, and operational strategies into a cohesive, future-ready fleet plan.

Speakers:

Rebecca Schenker
Vice President
TRC’s Clean Transportation Solutions Team

 

Cary Welsh
Senior Program Manager
TRC Companies

 

Patrick Couch
Senior Vice President
TRC’s Clean Transportation Solutions Team

 

 

This course is worth 3 CAFM Recertification Points.