PRINCETON, N.J. -

Based on the thinking that the future of fleet management for many companies extends beyond the North American borders, the NAFA Fleet Management Association created the International Fleet Academy to conduct educational sessions and seminars.

To be the foundation for this new program, NAFA executive director Phillip Russo signed a three-year agreement with fleet solutions company FleetVision last month to have the firm to take the lead in developing content for the new International Fleet Academy.

Extending far beyond the initial scope of NAFA’s international seminars, the association highlighted this new entity will include two different levels of education: one for the beginner and another for more seasoned veterans.

NAFA indicated FleetVision will also take the lead in selling sponsorships and finding speakers. The company intends to reach out to the U.S.-based fleet management companies to help contribute to the curriculum content and lend expertise.

“I believe this is an outstanding opportunity for NAFA to enhance its already-dominant lead in this area,” Russo said. “FleetVision has proven to be a winner and a very good partner for NAFA over the past two years. This agreement gives NAFA the ability to continue to fill a void in the industry.”

NAFA’s 2013 International Fleet Academy will take place October 21—24 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz. Officials indicated registration will open early this summer and suggested checking www.nafa.org for updates and details.

Meanwhile, NAFA’s 2013 Institute & Expo is set for April 23—26 in Atlantic City, N.J. The association emphasized fleet managers can learn about the difficulties of managing a global fleet during the educational session, “Mastering Multiple Fleets in Multiple Countries.”

This session brings the knowledge of fleet management companies such as Wheels and LeasePlan alongside FleetVision and an array of global fleet managers including former NAFA president Gayle Pratt, who is global fleet director for Ecolab as well as NAFA’s current international vice president Joseph LaRosa, who is director of global fleet administration for Merck Sharp and Dohme.

“It is an excellent example of the quality fleet education that one can expect from NAFA’s International Fleet Academy,” officials said.

In addition, the 2013 Institute & Expo is the first time NAFA has had multiple publications from Europe sign up as media sponsors. Fleet Europe, Global Fleet, and International Fleet World are among more than 20 different publications from throughout the United States and Canada to be media sponsors of the annual conference.

“The addition of European coverage is yet another example of NAFA extending its reach across the globe,” officials said.

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