Future Fleet Forum continues to go from strength to strength as yet another major city and another trade association come on board for 2020. Organiser Ann-Marie Knegt reports on what the Future Fleet Partnership has in store for January's event.

2020 marks the fifth edition of Future Fleet Forum, and the third time the event has been organised by the Future Fleet Partnership (FFP). The FFP is a unique collaboration between media, major cities, and trade associations, which aims to create an international platform where best practice and know-how on issues affecting fleet and transport managers in the public sector can be shared and discussed.

Future Fleet Forum 2020 and the Future Fleet Awards will take place on January 22, 2020, in the Guildhall in the City of London.

Future Fleet Forum brings the industry together to address key challenges, including procurement issues, compliance, safety, and sustainability. Sponsored in 2020 by Geesinknorba, Hako Machines, and Bunce powered by Boschung, the conference has been designed to promote discussion of best practice, innovative strategies, and the latest technologies in our journey towards more sustainable and cost-effective transport solutions and a cleaner, better future for all.

The Future Fleet Partnership started out with organiser LAPV Events, hosts the City of London, and partners the City of New York, and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. Then, in 2019, the Future Fleet Partnership welcomed the Society of Operations Engineers (SOE) onboard as well as the City of Montreal, expanding the scope of the collaboration and bringing an even greater range of expertise to the table.

‘DCAS and NYC Fleet is proud to once again co-organise Future Fleet Forum 2020 in London,' says Keith Kerman, Deputy Commissioner and New York City Chief Fleet Officer. 'Our joint partnerships on sustainability, alternative fuels, and vehicle and road safety are an important avenue for the sharing of best practice, lessons learned, and the exploration of innovative ways to reach our common goals. We look forward to joining Together for Safer Roads on the opening panel on global road safety and we are excited to share the stage with other leaders in reducing emissions and fighting climate change.'

Mick Sweetmore, President of the SOE and Fleet Manager for West Mercia Police, spoke at Future Fleet Forum 2019, and he is excited to bring the SOE onboard as a partner for the 2020 event.

‘The SOE is delighted to put our full support behind Future Fleet Forum 2020. It is an event that has significantly widened its reach in recent years and addresses the key challenges facing the industry. As a partner of Future Fleet Forum, we can continue to work closely with fleet transport managers and decision-makers in committing to an industry that is compliant, safe, and sustainable.'

Philippe Saint-Vil, Head of Rolling Stock for the City of Montreal, delivered last year's keynote speech and is excited that Montreal has become part of the Future Fleet Partnership. ‘Future Fleet Forum is a truly international event, and it has become the reference point for municipal fleet managers in Europe and the United States. A growing panel of international experts participates each year to discuss and share their experiences and their vision of the current and future challenges facing large cities, rural municipalities, and everything in between.

‘Security, sustainable mobility, connectivity, smart and connected transport, alternative fuels and training are among the important topics addressed at the event. It is also an opportunity to discover the latest products, vehicles, innovations, and technological applications from an array of suppliers specialising in the municipal niche. It is therefore without hesitation that the City of Montreal has joined the Future Fleet Partnership.'

Conference 2020

So, what does the Future Fleet Partnership have in store for next year's Future Fleet Forum?

Future Fleet Forum consists of four different elements, of which the conference is a key part. For 2020, the Future Fleet Partnership has identified four themes which it feels need to be addressed urgently by the sector. These are:

  • Fleet and road safety/security
  • Innovation and business stream improvement
  • Propulsion systems and fuel
  • Staff retention and engagement

The FFP has decided on a more interactive format for the 2020 conference, which will kick off with a keynote speech from David Braunstein from Together for Safer Roads, an innovative coalition that brings together global private sector companies, across industries, to collaborate on road safety. David will then lead a panel discussion with representatives from New York City, Montreal, City of London, and TfL about the global roll-out of the FORS and CLOCS standards.

During the innovation and business stream improvement section, Future Fleet features Sharon Fleming Fleet Director for the City of Calgary, winner of the Future Fleet Award for Most innovative fleet management strategy. Sharon will talk about how the City of Calgary is maximising value and avoiding unnecessary costs in fleet management. In addition, how the team used strategic vehicle design choices to create an effective multi-purpose fleet.

Steve Rapanos, Head of Operations and Fleet for the City of Edmonton in Canada will discuss how employee engagement has emerged as a critical driver of success in today's competitive marketplace. He will also highlight why engagement has the potential to affect employee retention, productivity and loyalty, it is also a key link to customer satisfaction, organisational reputation and overall stakeholder value. 

In the afternoon, the agenda will focus on fuels and propulsion systems, and one of the confirmed speakers for this session is electric vehicle expert Roger Atkins from Electric Vehicles Outlook. Roger shares an EV narrative on LinkedIn where he now has in excess of 280,000 followers.

Dundee City Council is arguably one of the most progressive councils in the UK. Fraser Crighton, Corporate Fleet Operations Manager will discuss Dundee's 8-year journey to e-mobility transition. Dundee implemented its EV-charging infrastructure strategy including other renewable energy solutions. He will also relate how the City Council came to have the largest percentage of electric taxis in the UK.

The last part of the conference will centre around staff engagement, attraction, and retention as its main theme. Ruth Waring, Director of Big Change UK, will be talking about how to promote diversity in the logistics workplace and how to attract talent. Ruth has won many awards for her work in the logistics sector, including an award for improving diversity. Ruth is also the Founder and current Chair of Women in Logistics UK.

The programme will close with a presentation by Charlotte Herrett, the newly appointed Fleet Manager South Chesterfield Council who will relate her experiences in our industry and will provide insight into how to entice new generations to enter the sector.

Future Fleet Awards

A drinks reception in the Guildhall Crypt, sponsored by Dennis Eagle and Terberg Matec, will take place after the close of the conference programme. This will be followed by the Future Fleet Awards and gala dinner, sponsored by NRG Fleet Services and Electra Commercial Vehicles.

The awards will honour the best and brightest in our industry during a lavish ceremony attended by more than 200 industry peers in the historic surroundings of the Great Hall in the Guildhall.

The judging panel consists of high profile representatives from LAPV, the City of London, New York City, Wates Construction, the City of Montreal, and the City of Calgary.

For 2020 the awards categories are:

•             Best fleet/road safety initiative (public sector and outsourcing companies only)

•             Most innovative fleet management strategy (public sector and outsourcing companies only)

•             Most sustainable fleet management department (public sector and outsourcing companies only)

•             Young industry champion (open to public, private sector, and industry suppliers), an award for an outstanding young professional under 30.

•             Lifetime achievement award (open to public and private sector and industry suppliers)

•             Industry personality of the year

•             City Mark Award: Transport Operator

•             City Mark Award: Driver of the Year

The Future Fleet Awards 2020 open for entries on 16 September 2019. Entries can be submitted via the event website:

http://awards.futurefleetforum.co.uk/

Exhibition and outside vehicle area

An exhibition will be held alongside the conference that will feature 33 exhibitors, including CMS Supatrak, VWS, HE Municipal, Geesinknorba, WNV, Hako, NRG Fleet Services, Electra Commercial Vehicles, Dennis Eagle, Terberg Matec, Johnston Sweepers, Mercedes-Benz, Epic, Faun Zoeller, Go Plant, Romaquip, Allison Transmission, Quartix, Holder, Drive Alive, and Bunce powered by Boschung. Visitors will also be able to see a range of the very latest vehicles in the courtyard of the Guildhall.

Don't miss Future Fleet Forum 2020

Future Fleet Forum is the premier thought-leadership conference for the public sector fleet management industry. It is a must-attend event that features an international line up of industry experts, academics, and innovative thinkers who will share their knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the sector as a whole. The event also offers delegates the opportunity to gain valuable CPD points from CILT and SOE. Attendance is free for fleet managers in the public sector and their contracting organisations or qualified individuals.

We look forward to seeing you in January.

 

Registration opens on 23 of September you can sign up at www.futurefleetforum.co.uk.

Submissions for the awards can be sent by clicking visiting http://awards.futurefleetforum.co.uk/

For commercial opportunities, contact Jason Pidgeon

For more information, contact Ann-Marie Knegt

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