HERSHEY, PA – A wide range of presentations and seminars covering public sector fleet management issues, a vendor fair and networking events highlighted the National Conference of State Fleet Administrators meeting (NCSFA), Sept. 9-14 at the Hershey Lodge convention center.

Hosted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and chaired by Josie Sharp, CAFM, the conference attracted attendees from nearly 40 state and university fleet operations.

Presentations included a “how-to” explanation of the U.S. Department of Energy’s new Alternative Compliance option to the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program. Delivered by Linda Bluestein, DOE regulatory manager, the “2007 EPAct Rule Change Update” seminar drew a full audience. One state fleet manager said, “This was the one session I came for!”

According to NCSFA Executive Director, Steve Saltzgiver, the meeting’s Vendor Fair drew a record number of suppliers. More than 65 vendors provided product and service information to grateful attendees, said Saltzgiver. “Because NCFSA is not as large as other conferences such as NAFA’s Fleet Management Institute, participants here appreciated the greater one-on-one time they spent with vendors.”

Other fleet management seminars and presenters included:

• “Reforming and Reducing the Cost to Run State Government,” James Creeden, department secretary of general services, Commonwealth.
  

• “Working Through a Disaster with Succession Planning in Mind,” Judy Wojanis, CEO, Wojanis Supply Company.
  

• “Saving Untapped Dollars by Managing Privately Owned Vehicle Costs,” Julie Blanford, Mercury Associates manager.
  

• “Stop Changing Pennies,” Mark Lavin, Sr. VP, government sales, FleetCor Technologies.
  

• “Meeting Pennsylvania’s Transportation Challenges,” Allen Biehler, secretary of transportation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  

• Fleet Management Trends in State Government,” Steve Saltzgiver, NCSFA executive director.
  

• “Hybrid Vehicles – A Good Fit for your Fleet?” Scott Madsen, state of Colorado and NCSFA President, and Barbara Bonansinga, state of Illinois central services.
  

• “State of the Industry – Heavy-Duty Vehicles Update,” David McKenna, Mack Trucks.

  Attendees spent one day of the conference touring Pennsylvania’s state capital and the national park at Gettysburg, site of the famous Civil War battle.

  The conference also featured skills enhancement presentations on communication, how to deal with change, and the importance of information in today’s world. A final “What’s Your Problem?” issues-sharing forum ended the presentation schedule, followed by the organization’s annual Recognition and Awards Banquet.

  The conference marked the end of Madsen’s term as NCSFA president as he turned the position over to Larry Charlton, 2008-09 president.

  The 2008 NCSFA meeting will be held in Long Beach, Calif. For further information, visit the group’s Web site, www.ncsfa.net.

  
  

  Outgoing NCSFA President Scott Madsen (left), division director, state of Colorado, turned the reigns of responsibility over to Larry Charlton, 2008-09 president and and fleet services manager for the University of California, Riverside, at the group’s recent annual conference in Hershey, Pa.