(PRINCETON, NJ – SEPTEMBER 12, 2014) – Ever tried plugging an American appliance into a European power outlet? Or how about dropping a domestic DVD into a machine overseas? These may be broad analogies, but it is clear: just because things appear to function the same, that doesn’t mean they will. When global fleet managers structure their policies for international purposes, all the variables of culture, region, and economics are brought to bear. There is no single solution that fits all problems, or one plug that will work in every outlet worldwide.

NAFA’s International Fleet Academy (IFA), taking place November 5-7 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL, is the fleet conference designed to clarify the differences, engage the attendee in how to make those differences work for and not against them, and to help them deliver their best. On Wednesday, November 5, Joe LaRosa, CPA, NAFA International Vice President and Director of Global Fleet Services, Merck & Co. presents the session “Global Policy Structure and Governance.”

“Different regions need different policy structures, which depend on the cultures that inform them. That requires sensitivities to how things are done, how they are regulated, and how problems can be mitigated when required,” said NAFA Chief Executive Officer Phillip E. Russo, CAE. “You have to know what you’re getting into to make good and logical decisions. NAFA’s International Fleet Academy provides the solid educational bedrock for both new and experienced global fleet professionals to get to those correct decisions.”

LaRosa will lead a discussion on fleet centralization versus regionalized structure, standardization of goods and services, staffing, how to identify and visit the right regional people, and more. An early adopter of globalized fleet management, LaRosa will share his experience in dealing with budget challenges when starting a global initiative and why having a sound travel budget allocation is critical to success.

NAFA’s International Fleet Academy is designed specifically to meet the needs of those who manage fleets outside of the United States and Canada, and offers fleet professionals the tools to gain understanding, and the opportunity to discuss the problems and challenges they’re facing with some of the brightest minds in global fleet management.

NAFA’s International Fleet Academy helps attendees build the specialized skills needed for the expanding and changing fleet environment across diverse world markets. Attendees will leave with a standard of excellence for their dealings within and outside their organization, with customers, suppliers, and drivers among others. The conference is a “must” for companies and organizations with global fleets, as well as corporate global fleet managers; corporate fleet directors; procurement specialists; corporate executives with reporting responsibility for their organization’s fleet operations; fleet personnel who assist fleet managers and directors in their global fleet operations; and fleet managers, directors, and executives who want to learn more about multinational fleet operations.

“Knowing what you would do, and what you would not do, in an international setting gets you closer to achieving your goals and to getting fleet driver buy-in,” said Russo. “To get there, you have to set policies that have the necessary understanding of the world where they will be enacted. NAFA’s International Fleet Academy will bring that clear understanding to attendees at every experience level.”

For a limited time, attendees who register before September 30 can take advantage of early-bird pricing. More information is available at: www.nafafleetacademy.org

About NAFA Fleet Management Association

NAFA is the world’s premier non-profit association for professionals who manage fleets of sedans, public safety vehicles, trucks, and buses of all types and sizes, and a wide range of military and off-road equipment for organizations across the globe. NAFA is the association for the diverse vehicle fleet management profession regardless of organizational type, geographic location or fleet composition. NAFA’s Full and Associate Members are responsible for the specification, acquisition, maintenance and repair, fueling, risk management, and remarketing of more than 3.5 million vehicles including in excess of 1.1 million trucks of which 350 thousand are medium- and heavy-duty trucks. For more information visit http://www.nafa.org.