Tuesday, May 16, 2023

13th Annual NationaLease Tech Challenge

Registration

Dinner for Top Techs and Judges

Bootleggers Welcome
First-Timer Reception (Invitation Only)
First-time attendees have the opportunity to network with our Premier Partners and Select Partners, all within a casual atmosphere surrounded by fellow first timers.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Registration

Breakfast

Let's Blouse!
Welcome and Introductions
Chris Disantis, Vice President of Maintenance, Aim NationaLease

President's Welcome
Dean Vicha will discuss the current and future plans and goals for NationaLease and how technology and regulations may be impacting our maintenance teams.
Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease

Introduction of Top Techs
Dean will introduce us to these ten finalists as we honor some of the best of the best who keep our trucks moving every day. Join us as we give a cheer and congratulations to our Top Techs.
Dean Vicha, President, NationaLease

Now You're on the Trolley
Your employees are the key to the success of your shop and your entire organization. It's important to keep your people motivated and focused but building a high-performing team doesn't happen overnight. It requires attention, effort, and may even require you to change some of the ways you've been doing things. Employee retention strategist and expert, Kim Richardson will share proven strategies for retaining your top performers and building a great team.
Kim Richardson, President, Transrep

Break

Let's Get Dudded Up!
Spouse Event
Come join us for a roaring time. In keeping with the meeting's theme we will be making headpieces to wear for our evening's entertainment. So, get your creative juices flowing and come join us for some fun, friendship, and roaring twenties headpiece making. Don't forget to pack your evening attire to match your new favorite headpiece!

Win Some Sawbucks
Idea Session
Members will be asked to present an idea or best practice utilized within their business that offers savings in money, time, productivity, improved morale, and/or increased customer satisfaction. Each member throws $10 into the kitty. Members will then vote on the best idea and cash will be awarded to the top three with the most votes. This is a great opportunity to not only share and hear innovative ideas, but also a chance to win some cash! Don't miss this exciting session for a lot of fun and friendly competition.
Lonnie Cook, Service Manager, Cargo Transporters Inc.

Hitting on All Eight
Reciprocal Service Review/Member Services Update
Reciprocal Service is the cornerstone of NationaLease, and the idea that started NationaLease 79 years ago. Jane will give us a refresher on what is required of all members, as well as some common pitfalls, and how to avoid them.
Jane Clark, Vice President Member Services, NationaLease

Level With Me
Customer Perspective
Why do customers choose to do business with NationaLease? What makes them stay with us? We have a chance to get these answers directly from one of our customers! Joe Gallick, VP of Sales for NationaLease will facilitate this interactive discussion with one of our National Account customers.
Jerry Greiner, Ferrellgas
Joe Gallick, Sr. VP Sales, NationaLease

Lunch

Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels
Supply Management - Closed Session
Learn about the latest supply management programs as Rob Garcia reviews the performance levels year-to-date on our products and services and also provides an update on some of our newest programs available to the membership. Rob will then discuss the latest in sourcing environment trends.
Rob Garcia, Senior Vice President of Supply Management, NationaLease
Sean Storey, Vice President of Capital Equipment, NationaLease

Save Some Cabbage
Product & Technology Fair
The popular Product & Technology Fair grows every year! Be sure to visit all of our Premier Partners', Select Partners', and exhibitors' booths to learn about their products and services. You'll also be able to enter in their drawings for great prizes.

Capone's Hideaway
Dinner and Entertainment
Inviting all the cool cats and dolls to join us for dinner and a speakeasy-style casino night. Feel free to wear your best Roaring 20s outfit!

Thursday, May 18, 2023

Breakfast

Know Your Onions
Regional Breakouts - Closed Session
This session is designed for you to get to know the other Maintenance Managers in your region and discuss the issues specific to your area. You'll discuss how to continue improving our best-in-class Reciprocal Service network, as well as the issues that are top of mind to you right now.

No Jalopies: 2024 Emissions Update
What does the 2024 EPA ruling mean for equipment? Ken Davis will give us an update on the new EPA rule, its impact on equipment, and an overview of what OEMs and fleets will need to do to comply. Following Ken's session, you will have the opportunity to meet in breakouts with OEM representatives to hear about their specific changes and how they are addressing the new requirements.
Ken Davis, Greentree Advisors

OEM Breakouts
Nirvana Ballroom: Freightliner, Adam Mesker
Utopia A: Volvo, Mikael Sievers
Utopia B: Cummins, John Campbell
Schaumburg H: Hino, Rodney Shaffer

OEM Breakouts
Nirvana Ballroom: Freightliner, Adam Mesker
Utopia A: Volvo, Mikael Sievers
Utopia B: Cummins, John Campbell
Schaumburg H: Hino, Rodney Shaffer

OEM Breakouts
Nirvana Ballroom: Freightliner, Adam Mesker
Utopia A: Volvo, Mikael Sievers
Utopia B: Cummins, John Campbell
Schaumburg H: Hino, Rodney Shaffer

Lunch

Don't Toot the Wrong Ringer
Battery Spec'ing, Testing, Charging & Starting
Maintenance Managers are very particular about their vehicle specs. Don't forget about batteries when you're making those spec'ing choices. Brian will share some things to consider, not only when spec'ing batteries, but also in testing and maintaining battery systems.
Brian Thompson, Delco Remy

The Cat's Pajamas
Emergency Service Best Practices
No one looks forward to a breakdown, but when it happens, what you do next makes a huge difference in the outcome. Hear from some of our top Exceptional Service Award Winners on how they manage breakdowns and what you can do to make the best of these bad situations.
Joe Puff, Vice President of Truck Technology and Maintenance, NationaLease, Facilitator
Chris James, Fox & James NationaLease
Vinnie Volpe, Grane NationaLease
Matt Starkey, Hogan Truck Leasing Inc., a NationaLease Member

Break

No Hayburners Here
EV Facilities and Maintenance Overview
We are hearing a lot of information about electric vehicles these days, but much of it is speculation. Mike and Andy join us to share their actual experiences with running an EV fleet, including maintenance issues, charging infrastructure planning, incentives and funding, maintenance of chargers, integrating software into operations, coordinating with utilities, and more. You will have the opportunity to not only hear about their experience, but also ask the questions that are on your mind as we move toward alternative fuel vehicles.
Andy Lewis, Director of Asset Management, Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing, a NationaLease Member
Mike Oliver, Director of Infrastructure & Customer Experience, Velocity Truck Rental and Leasing, a NationaLease Member

Flat Tires Prohibited
Protecting Your Assets--Your Fleet's Tires
Tires are the jewels of every fleet. Fleet management must protect these jewels by understanding how a tire is made and what things affect the tire's performance. Craig joins us to discuss how we can evaluate our tires and make informed decisions. A tire will tell us a story, let's learn what the tire is telling us!
Craig Tinklenberg, Sales and Safety Trainer, Fuller Brothers Inc.

Put on Your Glad Rags
Cocktail Reception & Awards Dinner
Join us as we say thank you to our Exceptional Service Award winners and announce NationaLease Tech Challenge winners. Enjoy great food and take this opportunity to congratulate your fellow NationaLease winners.