We arrived early, full of excitement and expectation. It had been two years since the last Australasian Fleet Conference and Exhibition due to a COVID cancellation last year. We felt a renewed sense of importance for networking and a desire to connect with friends old and new.
AfMA was expecting approximately 400 delegates (and another 100 more at the awards dinner) to converge on the Melbourne Exhibition centre to attend over 20 sessions from 25 speakers and meet the 50 exhibitors displaying their wares.
In the exhibition hall suppliers were giving away pens, water bottles and squeeze toys in exchange for a business card; the golden ticket that could open doors to a world of opportunities.
With a challenging 2020 now well behind us, the crowd was buzzing and excited to be together in the same room. There were smiles and giggles as old friends renewed acquaintances. It was the largest gathering of fleet professionals in the world since the COVID pandemic began.
In his opening speech Mace Hartley, AfMA Executive Director, reminded the audience that action speaks louder than words. He shared examples of suppliers and organisations that were committed to investing in fleet management as a profession. Training the younger generation joining the ranks and encouraging customers with a thirst for more knowledge to attend the conference.
As has become customary on the opening day, graduates from the 2020 cohort of the Swinburne Diploma of Leadership and Management were presented their certificates. It was uplifting to see eight people completed the course during a difficult year. In 2021 there are 17 people enrolled with an almost even split of male and female students.
Joel Read, from Fire Rescue Victoria, completed the Diploma in 2020 and shared his experiences with the room. He said the course gave him confidence, new skills, and a better understanding of modern leadership. The fleet focus in all case studies and modules made the study relevant to his workplace. As part of the course, he completed a major fleet project which was approved and funded by his organisation.
The biggest news from the first day was saved until last. In 2022 the Australasian Fleet Conference and Exhibition is coming to Sydney. It will be held at Rosehill racecourse on 3rd and 4th May 2022. See you there!
